Rugby Banter Page Weekly Round Up

Monday 3^RD November:

Lomu & Dagg Summoned By New Zealand Police

All Black legend Jonah Lomu, current All Black Israel Dagg and New Zealand rower Eric Murray were summoned by police for breaching election day rules. The Electoral Commission has called foul over tweets from the three sports stars supporting John Key on September 20.

Publishing anything, including on social media, that could influence voters is banned on polling day day under the Electoral Act.

Scarlets Confirm Phillips As New CEO

The Scarlets have today confirmed Darran Phillips as their new chief executive.

Phillips will replace Mark Davies who has become the new chief executive of Pro Rugby Wales, the organisation that represents the interests of the four Welsh regions and was formerly known as Regional Rugby Wales.

Phillips has spent the last 20 years in senior commercial roles outside of Wales, has a wealth of experience in the commercial sector and his links with rugby span nearly two decades.

Tuesday 4^th November:

Camp Nou To Host 2016 Top 14 Final

French Top 14 Rugby Officials have confirmed that the Top 14 final for the 2015-2016 season will be hosted in Barcelona's Nou Camp for the first time.

The Top14 final has never been hosted outside of France and this situation came about as the usual venue, Stade de France in Paris, will be in use hosting the 2016 European Championship football finals.

Pienaar To Miss End Of Season Tour

South Africa have ruled Ulster scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar out of their end of year tour due to a knee ligament injury and replaced him with Jano Vermaak.

Pienaar sustained the injury in the Springboks' Test against New Zealand in Wellington in September and has been out of action since then.

Wednesday 5^th November:

Mealamu to Match Meads’ Record

Keven Mealamu will move level with All Blacks great Colin Meads for the most first class games played by a New Zealander when the hooker runs onto Twickenham for the All Blacks against England on Saturday.

It will be game No.361 in Mealamu's 16th season in the top flight, having taken one year less than Meads, whose storied career ended in 1971 at the age of 35.

Namibia Hire Welsh Duo

Two former Welsh internationals have been drafted into the Namibian backroom staff as support on their Northern Hemisphere tour.

Former Welsh captain Phil Davies has been appointed as a technical advisor with Wayne Proctor being brought in as a strength and condition consultant.

The pair recently visited Windhoek where they assisted Namibia in their preparations for the international against Germany.

Thursday 6^th November:

Williams’ Announces Retirement from Rugby

Former Wales wing Shane Williams has confirmed his retirement from rugby to focus on a coaching career, he announced via his Twitter account.

Williams scored 58 tries in 91 appearances for Wales before he announced his retirement from International Rugby in 2011

The 37-year-old was planning to retire after leaving the Ospreys in 2012 but prolonged his career in Japan with Mitsubishi Dynaboars.

He Tweeted: “My 3 years in Japan with Mitsubishi have been amazing but after this season it’s time to come home!”

Racing Metro Coach Receives Fifteen Week Ban For Criticizing Referee

Racing Metro backline coach Laurent Labit has been handed a 15-week ban for making disparaging comments against the referee in his side's 23-19 Top 14 loss to Stade Francais last month.

Labit will be banned from all access to grounds, dressing rooms and entry areas in all Top 14 and European Cup games up until February 15.

Racing were also fined €50,000 for Labit's outburst, which was seen as tainting the reputation and integrity of South African referee Jacob Van Heerden.

Friday 7^th November:

Force Sign Kiwi Duo

Young New Zealand backs Albert Nikoro and Tino Nemani have signed for Australian Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.

Former Blues utility back Nikoro, as well as former Chiefs and Highlanders wing Nemani have both put pen to paper for two seasons