The Rugby Week in Review: June 13-19

Catch up in the Rugby week that was: June 13-19…

Charles Piutau (R) and Sam Cane of New Zealand celebrates after he scores a try against Wales

We start in the Northern Hemisphere, Wales to be exact, to find Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips has been indefinitely suspended by the WRU, for off-field actions. His celebrations at joining French side Bayonne ended prematurely after he was led away by police in Cardiff City centre at around 3am after an altercation outside a fast food chain. He has been replaced by Cardiff Blue Lloyd Williams at training camp.

On a lighter front, the England U20 side has finished top of their Junior IRB World Championship table, beating South Africa 26-20 in Padova. Semi-finalists also include; New Zealand, France, and Australia. Oh and earlier in the week, the Baby Blacks beat Wales U20 92-0 on their way to securing their semi-final place.

Semi-Finals – June 22, Treviso

France V England

New Zealand V Australia

The final games of the last Churchill cup were played at the weekend, which saw England win a sixth and final title beating Canada 37-6. The tournament has been disbanded due to the IRB integrating USA and Canada into the June tours and tournament calender. Italy A beat Tonga 28-17 to win the last Plate final; and USA picked up the Churchill Cup Bowl beating Russia 32-25.

World Cup update –Ireland have named their 43 man squad

Super Rugby has finally reached the final qualifiers. Brumbie boys set out to upset the ‘Tah party, but they failed miserably after the ‘Tahs dug deep in the confidence draw, and beat the ACT boys 41-7. They will now face the Blues in Auckland after they raced passed the Highlanders (33-16). Highlights below

The other qualifier will see Crusaders, who beat the Hurricanes 16-9 to earn their spot squaring up to the Sharks in Nelson. The Sharks ended the Bulls reign in a tight match at Loftus, securing the final wildcard slot.

Staying with the ‘Tahs, Berrick Barnes has been forced to take an indefinite break from rugby starting immediately, after suffering from footballer’s migraines continuously and spending a great deal of the season on the sidelines recovering from head injuries.

Post World Cup will see All Black Luke McAlister head to France, after he signed a 3 year deal with Toulouse.

Oh, how could we forget… Melbourne Rebels finished the season at the bottom of both the Super rugby and the Australian conference tables. Not the best result after your inaugural season, better luck next time boys.

Leaving you on a final note, All Black big poppa Graham Henry has imposed social network ban during the World Cup tournament, being held in their back yard. No distractions for the boys who are desperate to be prove successful this year after not winning the competition since its inaugural 1987 year.

Week in Review: June 6-12 |  May 30 – June 5 |    May 23-29 |   May 16-22 |    May 9-15 |     May 2 – 8