Thursday Round-Up

Back in Black: The long awaited return to rugby union of one Sonny Bill Williams will come to a screeching halt this weekend, as the comer rugby league star is named in Steve Hansen’s starting XV to take on the USA. Williams will wear the 12 jersey alongside Crusader Ryan Crotty in midfield, while recent bad boy of New Zealand rugby Aaron Cruden is forgiven, as he starts in the flyhalf slot, partnering TJ Perenara at halfback. Elsewhere, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau and Israel Dagg make up the back three for Hansen’s outfit. Upfront, the team will be captained by 2013 IRB Player of the Year Kieran Read from no.8, as he combines with both Sam Cane and Victor Vito in an exciting back row trio. In the engine room, Jeremy Thrush and Patrick Tuipulotu are afforded the opportunity to shine, while in the front row, there is a run on debut for Nathan Harris at hooker, after coming off the bench last month against Argentina. Alongside him, Joe Moody and Charlie Faumuina are named at tight head and loose head respectively, with Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks providing cover from the replacements bench. The last time the two sides met was back in 1991 at the Rugby World Cup, when New Zealand came out on top 46-6.

MItchell staying put: Toulon utility back Drew Mitchell has confirmed that he has signed a two year contract extension with the club, in a new deal which will see him remain in the South of France until at least the close of the 2017 season. Having linked up with big spenders Toulon at the opening of the 2013 season, Mitchell has established himself as one of Bernard Laporte’s most trusted men on the wing, and was a key member of the double winning side of 2014, when the galacticos from Toulon came away with both the domestic Top 14 and Heineken Cup titles. 30 year old Mitchell broke the news to his fans and the media alike via social networking site Twitter, where the former Wallaby sent out a picture of himself and club owner Mourad Boudjellal, declaring his delight at signing a new deal. Mitchell represented the Wallabies on 63 occasions, scoring 30 tries in the process, before heading to Europe and ruling himself out of selection.

Ryan Sheady