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May 25, 2023

Hurricanes named for quarterfinal showdown in Canberra

Published on By Hurricanes Head Coach Jason Holland has named a largely

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Hurricanes Head Coach Jason Holland has named a largely unchanged side to head to Canberra to take on the fourth-placed Brumbies in Saturday's quarterfinal clash.

Just one change to last weekend's starting team sees Xavier Numia return to the side at loosehead prop alongside Dane Coles at hooker and Tyrel Lomax at tighthead, with the latter set to make his 50th appearance for the Hurricanes.

Having debuted for the Hurricanes in 2020 against the Stormers at Cape Town, the Australian-born prop said it was special to bring up his 50th game for the Hurricanes at a stadium where his father made his name playing for the Canberra Raiders back in the 1990s.

"I was born in Canberra, and dad played there, so to be able to bring up 50 games for the Hurricanes over there will be special for my family and me," said Lomax.

After a strong performance against the Crusaders, scoring the match-winning try in the dramatic 27-26 comeback victory, Brayden Iose retains the Number 8 jersey for the do-or-die clash. Once again, Iose will be flanked by Captain Ardie Savea at openside and Devan Flanders at blindside.

"As we saw last week, he (Iose) is a powerful and physical player. We have seen what he can do with ball in hand, and we’re keen to see him deliver another strong performance in Canberra at the weekend," said Holland.

After missing last week's action due to injury, hooker Asafo Aumua, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi return to the 23 and will be looking to add their spark off the bench at GIO Stadium.

"We’re excited to be into the business end of the season. Bringing momentum into the quarter-finals was really important for us and getting our performance to where we wanted it last week was key. Heading to Canberra, our focus is to continue to build on some of the parts of our game that went really well for us against the Crusaders," said Holland.

The Hurricanes take on the Brumbies at 9:35PM NZT at GIO Stadium, Canberra. The match will air live on Sky Sport NZ.

Hurricanes team to take on the Brumbies: 1. Xavier Numia 2. Dane Coles 3. Tyrel Lomax (50th Hurricanes Game) 4. James Blackwell 5. Caleb Delany 6. Devan Flanders 7. Ardie Savea (Captain) 8. Brayden Iose 9. Cam Roigard 10. Brett Cameron 11. Kini Naholo 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Billy Proctor 14. Daniel Sinkinson 15. Josh Moorby

Replacements 16. Asafo Aumua17. Tevita Mafileo 18. Owen Franks 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi 21. Jamie Booth 22. Ruben Love 23. Bailyn Sullivan

Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby

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Ireland set to play with new Gilbert Dual Valve Match Ball at Rugby World Cup

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The latest in a long line of Gilbert match balls to be introduced before a Rugby World Cup tournament – having supplied every tournament since 1995 – innovation and performance are at the heart of the iNNOVO match ball, the official Rugby World Cup 2023 match ball.

The introduction of a patented Gilbert Duo Valve, positioned in-seam, assists with the balance and rotation of the ball and also allows for a seamless transition to a smart connected ball, via a partnership with Gilbert's exclusive technology partner, Sportable Technology.

In development and testing for nearly two years, the Gilbert iNNOVO match ball is an evolution in rugby match ball technology. Throughout prototype testing technical alterations were been made to improve the precision, accuracy and consistency of the ball. Many of the successful, and popular, characteristics of the Sirius match ball have been retained to ensure the reliability accustomed with a Gilbert ball remains for international players.

The iNNOVO was introduced to Gilbert Rugby's sponsored International teams in November 2022 and has been used throughout senior men's world rugby international fixtures since, ensuring all teams at RWC 2023 are familiarised with the ball before the tournament kicks off on 8 September, 2023.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "World Rugby is proud to trust Gilbert with the design and manufacture of the official match ball for Rugby World Cup 2023, rugby's biggest and showcase event. Our successful relationship stretches back to 1995 and once again, Gilbert has innovated with the iNNOVO match ball to provide the world's best players with the best possible ball to perform.

"As we celebrate 200 years of rugby and shared heritage, we look forward to an exceptional and transformative Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Together with Gilbert, we will keep our relentless efforts to innovate and make the game better for players and fans.

Gilbert Rugby Commercial CEO Richard Gray added: "At Gilbert we are committed to continuously improve and elevate the modern game for both players and fans. We are confident that the iNNOVO match ball will allow the world's best players to perform on the biggest stage and light up Rugby World Cup 2023 in France."

"Our longstanding partnership with Rugby World Cup is a great honour for us. It offers the ideal opportunity to unveil another innovative and advanced match ball to the world of rugby."

"We are proud to be celebrating 200 Years of the Gilbert brand in 2023, and it is our constant research, development and relentless drive to produce the best and most innovative products for rugby that sets Gilbert aside as the ball of choice for the World's elite."

iNNOVO is the Official match ball of Rugby World Cup 2023 and will be used in every match of the tournament.

All Mens International teams (using Gilbert rugby balls) from November 2022 onwards have been using the iNNOVO match ball, including throughout Six Nations, Rugby Championship and the Pacific Nations Cup.

Official Gilbert Rugby World Cup 2023 iNNOVO match balls will be available online from 31 May 2023; Official RWC 2023 replica match balls are available now from gilbertrugby.com and the Official RWC 2023 Store

Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography

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Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has today named a 42-player Summer Training Squad to begin preparations for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series and Rugby World Cup 2023.

Following the conclusion of the BKT United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup campaigns, the Ireland Coaching Team have selected an extended panel of players to assemble at the IRFU High Performance Centre on 18th June for the first block of pre-season.

The Ireland squad will train at their Dublin base through June and July ahead of the Bank of Ireland Nations Series which will see Farrell's side fine-tune their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2023 with home matches against Italy (Saturday, 5th August – kick-off 8pm) and England (Saturday, 19th August – kick-off 5.30pm) at Aviva Stadium and a fixture against Samoa at Stade Jean-Dauger in Bayonne (Saturday, 26th August – kick-off 9pm local time/8pm Irish time).

Broadcast details for the Bank of Ireland Nations Series will be confirmed shortly, with tickets for the games against Italy and England at Aviva Stadium available to purchase via Ticketmaster now.

Farrell has included four uncapped players in his Summer Training Squad, with Ulster hooker Tom Stewart called up having been part of the extended Ireland squad during the Guinness Six Nations campaign, while Leinster backs Ciaran Frawley and Jamie Osborne and Munster winger Calvin Nash are rewarded for their performances for their Provinces this season.

Commenting on the squad announcement, Farrell said: "It is exciting to announce our extended training squad for the first phase of Rugby World Cup preparations, and we’re looking forward to assembling in Dublin next month to hit the ground running as a group.

"It's pleasing to see that selection has been as tough as ever, as real quality players have initially been unfortunate to have missed out. I’m sure that camp will be competitive enough as we grow minds and bodies and look to push on with our game from last season.

"In the meantime, it's important that we freshen up for a busy and exciting summer ahead, so we’re ready to get to work on 18th June and build towards the Bank of Ireland Nations Series and to France beyond that."

In addition to the three Bank of Ireland Nations Series matches, the Ireland squad will travel to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp in August, before Farrell's final 33-player Rugby World Cup squad is announced in late August.

Ireland open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on 9th September, before further Pool B clashes against Tonga (16th September) in Nantes, and South Africa (23rd September) and Scotland (7th October) at the Stade de France in Paris.

Forwards (22)

Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University)Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster)Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary's College)Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)Cian Prendergast (Connacht/Corinthians)James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)Tom Stewart (Ulster/Ballynahinch)*Kieran Treadwell (Ulster/Ballymena)Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)

Backs (20)

Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians)Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)Ciaran Frawley (Leinster/UCD)*Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)James Lowe (Leinster)Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)Calvin Nash (Munster/Young Munster)*Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster/Naas)Jamie Osborne (Leinster/Naas)*Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary's College)Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan)

*denotes uncapped player

Pool B:

Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography

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Wayne Smith has been appointed as Performance Coach to the Black Ferns and All Blacks in a unique new role that will include mentoring and supporting the respective Head Coaches and enhancing the quality of coaching delivery across the two teams.

Smith has already started working with Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting but will not start his role with the All Blacks until after the 2023 Rugby World Cup when new Head Coach Scott Robertson takes up the role.

Smith said he was grateful to be able to continue his long association with the legacy of the black jersey and New Zealand Rugby (NZR).

"I have a deep connection and love for any team that wears the black jersey and particularly the Black Ferns and the All Blacks. I also have strong relationships with the respective head coaches and many of the players, so it feels like this role across the two teams is a natural fit, and one where I can hopefully add and contribute to both environments."

Smith, who masterminded the Black Ferns 2022 Rugby World Cup championship run as Head Coach, said he would continue to challenge norms and encourage coaches and players to think outside the box.

ICYMI | New Zealand confirmed to host the inaugural WXV1 tournament in October.

* The Black Ferns still need to qualify for the tournament at the Pacific 4 Series in July.#WXV | #LikeABlackFern

— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) May 5, 2023

"It's important to consider different perspectives and solutions as coaches. As we head into a new era for the game, I am a great believer in the importance of diversity, of relationships and of people. As a coach I’ve been very fortunate to have been exposed to that through my career".

NZR CEO Mark Robinson said Smith would be the Performance Coach to sit across the Black Ferns and All Blacks, and the new role would continue a legacy of innovation and excellence.

"Smithy's input and insights on the shape of the game and trends in the game internationally will be of enormous benefit to coaches and players, but more than that his integrity, honesty, passion for the jersey and care for the legacy of the black jersey are invaluable.

"We are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre in our game and involved with our two top national teams the Black Ferns and the All Blacks. I know he is excited and energised by the challenge ahead and I’m confident our players, fans and stakeholders will feel the same way."

Wayne Smith – All Black #806 – 17 Tests 1980-1985

2023: Black Ferns and All Blacks Performance Coach (commencing November 2023)2022: Black Ferns Head Coach (Rugby World Cup winners)2018: Kobelco Steelers Director of Coaching (Back-to-back Top League Japanese championships)2015-2017: All Blacks Assistant Coach2012-2014: Chiefs Assistant Coach2012: Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby2004-2011: All Blacks (Assistant Coach)2001-2004: Northampton Saints Coach (England)2000-2001: All Blacks Head Coach1997-1999: Crusaders Head Coach (back-to-back Super Rugby titles 1998-1999)

Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby

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