Lapsy Pa
27-02-2009, 11:10 AM
McAlister Heads Back To New Zealand
Thu 26 Feb, 11:09 PM
Luke McAlister has announced he will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the current Guinness Premiership season and return home to New Zealand.
The versatile All Black, who joined Sale on a two-year contract after the 2007 World Cup, has agreed a deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union through to 2012.
News of McAlister's departure comes just a day after Sale announced the appointment of England World Cup winner Jason Robinson as the club's new head coach from next season.
McAlister is currently recovering from a knee operation but is determined to leave Sale on a high.
"We have a chance of having a crack at the top four (in the Premiership) and hopefully we can give the local fans, who have been great to me, a great end to the season," said the 25-year-old.
"The simple reason why I am leaving England and heading home is because I want to be closer to my family, who are very important to me.
"The fact that I can continue my rugby career as well back in New Zealand is obviously fantastic as well and I appreciate being given the opportunity, but family comes first."
New Zealand host the 2011 World Cup and moving back home ensures McAlister will be eligible to play for the All Blacks again. He won 22 caps before moving to Sale.
McAlister was part of an influx of All Blacks into the European game after the World Cup, with the likes of Doug Howlett, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Byron Kelleher and Anton Oliver all taking up club contracts.
Jack's future is up in the air after he was reportedly one of the Saracens players told this week that he had no future at the club by incoming rugby director Brendan Venter.
England prop Stevens banned for two years
England prop Matt Stevens has been banned for two years after a routine doping test showed he had used cocaine.
More StoriesBath ponder next Stevens step
Matt Stevens fact-file
Stevens failed the test after playing a Heineken Cup match for Bath against Glasgow in December and was provisionally suspended in January, pending Thursday's independent judicial committee hearing in Glasgow.
"After considering the evidence, and in light of Mr Stevens's admissions, the committee determined that an anti-doping rule violation had occurred in that the player's sample had contained benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine, which are metabolites of cocaine," an European Cup Rugby statement said.
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and is a prohibited substance under both the Heineken Cup's anti-doping programme and Word Anti-Doping Agency's code.
The South African-born 26-year-old, who has played 32 times for England including every match at the 2007 World Cup, was removed from the RFU's Elite Player Squad when the doping violation came to light.
Stevens admitted at the time he was attending counselling sessions for a drug problem.
The RFU, which fully supports the WADA code, said it strongly condemned the use and distribution of prohibited substances while Stevens received little sympathy from England team manager Martin Johnson.
"I have said all through this episode that there is no place in sport or society for illegal drug use," Johnson said in a statement.
"Matt chose to take a banned substance and will now have to accept the consequences. He will not be involved in rugby for two years and for a professional sportsman that will be a very tough experience.
"Matt has admitted that he has a problem and is seeking help. We support him in that but all rugby players must understand that they are responsible for their actions, and that includes lifestyle choices."
Stevens, who declined his right to have his B sample tested, will be ineligible from all rugby related activities until January 2011.
Bath said they would not make any statement on Stevens's future with the club until they had held an internal hearing.
Reuters
Saracens set for South African rugby invasion: BBC
Wed 25 Feb, 12:32 AM
LONDON (AFP) - All Black great Chris Jack is set to be released along with 14 of his Saracens team-mates and will be replaced by mainly South African players according to the BBC on Tuesday.
According to the BBC incoming South African head coach Brendan Venter - the defence coach at Super 14 side the Stormers and who will effectively replace former Australia coach Eddie Jones - informed the players on Monday, though, the club would not confirm that was the case.
"It would be completely inappropriate for the club to make any specific comment on these private meetings," the club said in a statement.
"Many of the players were enthused and excited by what they heard; inevitably, some were disappointed."
Saracens are largely run by a group of South African investors who also have a stake in provincial sides the Sharks and the Stormers in their home country.
It is believed that the players who have been told they will not be retained will be replaced largely by players from those two Super 14 squads.
The English Premiership club did add that they were trying to help the players sort out their futures.
"The club is already working with the various players' agents and the PRA (Professional Rugby Players' Association) to assist in securing their futures, and, without exception, the club will act decently and honestly.
"This has been a difficult week, but the reality is that Saracens is not immune to the economic realities being faced by many companies across the country."
Jones, who acted as a special consultant for the 2007 World Cup winning South Africans, announced on February 9 that he would not be staying on after the end of the season for 'personal reasons' despite holding a three year contract and having been in the post for just a year.
Venter, a former Springbok international, has previous experience in England having coached London Irish.
Jack, who won 67 caps for the All Blacks till joining Saracens midway through the 2007/08 campaign, has made 25 appearances for the club scoring three tries for them.
The 30-year-old lock enjoyed a successful career with the Canterbury Crusaders, being named Super 12 player of the year in 2002 and New Zealand player of the season in the same year.
Thu 26 Feb, 11:09 PM
Luke McAlister has announced he will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the current Guinness Premiership season and return home to New Zealand.
The versatile All Black, who joined Sale on a two-year contract after the 2007 World Cup, has agreed a deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union through to 2012.
News of McAlister's departure comes just a day after Sale announced the appointment of England World Cup winner Jason Robinson as the club's new head coach from next season.
McAlister is currently recovering from a knee operation but is determined to leave Sale on a high.
"We have a chance of having a crack at the top four (in the Premiership) and hopefully we can give the local fans, who have been great to me, a great end to the season," said the 25-year-old.
"The simple reason why I am leaving England and heading home is because I want to be closer to my family, who are very important to me.
"The fact that I can continue my rugby career as well back in New Zealand is obviously fantastic as well and I appreciate being given the opportunity, but family comes first."
New Zealand host the 2011 World Cup and moving back home ensures McAlister will be eligible to play for the All Blacks again. He won 22 caps before moving to Sale.
McAlister was part of an influx of All Blacks into the European game after the World Cup, with the likes of Doug Howlett, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Byron Kelleher and Anton Oliver all taking up club contracts.
Jack's future is up in the air after he was reportedly one of the Saracens players told this week that he had no future at the club by incoming rugby director Brendan Venter.
England prop Stevens banned for two years
England prop Matt Stevens has been banned for two years after a routine doping test showed he had used cocaine.
More StoriesBath ponder next Stevens step
Matt Stevens fact-file
Stevens failed the test after playing a Heineken Cup match for Bath against Glasgow in December and was provisionally suspended in January, pending Thursday's independent judicial committee hearing in Glasgow.
"After considering the evidence, and in light of Mr Stevens's admissions, the committee determined that an anti-doping rule violation had occurred in that the player's sample had contained benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine, which are metabolites of cocaine," an European Cup Rugby statement said.
Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and is a prohibited substance under both the Heineken Cup's anti-doping programme and Word Anti-Doping Agency's code.
The South African-born 26-year-old, who has played 32 times for England including every match at the 2007 World Cup, was removed from the RFU's Elite Player Squad when the doping violation came to light.
Stevens admitted at the time he was attending counselling sessions for a drug problem.
The RFU, which fully supports the WADA code, said it strongly condemned the use and distribution of prohibited substances while Stevens received little sympathy from England team manager Martin Johnson.
"I have said all through this episode that there is no place in sport or society for illegal drug use," Johnson said in a statement.
"Matt chose to take a banned substance and will now have to accept the consequences. He will not be involved in rugby for two years and for a professional sportsman that will be a very tough experience.
"Matt has admitted that he has a problem and is seeking help. We support him in that but all rugby players must understand that they are responsible for their actions, and that includes lifestyle choices."
Stevens, who declined his right to have his B sample tested, will be ineligible from all rugby related activities until January 2011.
Bath said they would not make any statement on Stevens's future with the club until they had held an internal hearing.
Reuters
Saracens set for South African rugby invasion: BBC
Wed 25 Feb, 12:32 AM
LONDON (AFP) - All Black great Chris Jack is set to be released along with 14 of his Saracens team-mates and will be replaced by mainly South African players according to the BBC on Tuesday.
According to the BBC incoming South African head coach Brendan Venter - the defence coach at Super 14 side the Stormers and who will effectively replace former Australia coach Eddie Jones - informed the players on Monday, though, the club would not confirm that was the case.
"It would be completely inappropriate for the club to make any specific comment on these private meetings," the club said in a statement.
"Many of the players were enthused and excited by what they heard; inevitably, some were disappointed."
Saracens are largely run by a group of South African investors who also have a stake in provincial sides the Sharks and the Stormers in their home country.
It is believed that the players who have been told they will not be retained will be replaced largely by players from those two Super 14 squads.
The English Premiership club did add that they were trying to help the players sort out their futures.
"The club is already working with the various players' agents and the PRA (Professional Rugby Players' Association) to assist in securing their futures, and, without exception, the club will act decently and honestly.
"This has been a difficult week, but the reality is that Saracens is not immune to the economic realities being faced by many companies across the country."
Jones, who acted as a special consultant for the 2007 World Cup winning South Africans, announced on February 9 that he would not be staying on after the end of the season for 'personal reasons' despite holding a three year contract and having been in the post for just a year.
Venter, a former Springbok international, has previous experience in England having coached London Irish.
Jack, who won 67 caps for the All Blacks till joining Saracens midway through the 2007/08 campaign, has made 25 appearances for the club scoring three tries for them.
The 30-year-old lock enjoyed a successful career with the Canterbury Crusaders, being named Super 12 player of the year in 2002 and New Zealand player of the season in the same year.