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Rugby News: Aussie's US rugby teams LA and Austin banned from playoffs as crisis hits MLR, RTS' big leap forward

8th June, 2022
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8th June, 2022
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Less than a month on from winning the rights to host the World Cup, rugby’s standing in the United States has taken a serious credibility hit with the disqualification of Australian-owned Major League Rugby teams LA and Austin.

Multiple reports on Wednesday say the Adam Gilchrist-owned LA Giltinis and Austin Gilgronis have been expelled from the season-ending playoffs for alleged salary cap breaches, although that has been questioned.

Austin were expelled last week and LA, home for former Wallabies star Matt Giteau and formerly coached by Darren Coleman of the Tahs, were stood aside on Wednesday with a brief social media statement from MLR.

MLR’s comment so far has been restricted to a social media said it had no comment to add to a brief statement on social media, which said: “Due to a violation of league rules, the LA Giltinis have been disqualified from the 2022 Major League Rugby competition.”

Gilchrist is the Australian founder of the F45 fitness business.

Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles coaches the LA team, and ex-Wallabies star Ashley-Cooper serves as an assistant after playing last year. Another former Wallaby, Adam Freier, is the Giltinis general manager.

While the MLR satement gave little away in terms of the reasoning, former Wallaby and Stan Sport expert Drew Mitchell said LA were not disqualified for salary cap breaches.

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‘It would mean the world’

The Blues’ big guns are well known but one of their top performers this campaign has yet to putt on an All Blacks jersey, although that should change soon.

Stephen Perofeta has been outstanding and many expect him to be named in the squad to play Ireland when Ian Foster announces it on Monday.

“From what I’ve seen and his development in the last 12 months, he’s certainly one of the best players in the competition,” Beauden Barrett told stuff.co.nz.

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“He’s hard to handle at the moment, is really decisive, and I’m just stoked for him.”

Perofeta said he has always idolised Barrett and his game has benefitted from being in the same squad.

“He’s a great player. I had a mindset shift of how can I better myself through his experience? The biggest barrier I had to break down was just to ask for help … so I’m clear and he’s clear on what we need from each other.,” he said.

“Once I broke that we started to build that relationship that is really having positive spinoffs on the field.”

Perofeta will play another big role against the Brumbies in Auckland.

“The occasion is going to be huge but we’re here because of the work we’ve done and our love of the preparation,” he said.

“We’ve got to commit to that again, and then it’s about turning up and trusting what we’ve done all year, and this week in particular.”

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And as for All Blacks selection?

“It would mean the world,” he said. “My journey has been quite different, and probably not the smoothest of runs. With the sacrifices I’ve gone through and my family always in my corner, it would be huge.

“In this environment now the coaches and players have made this season so enjoyable, and it’s allowed us all to flourish, to stand out and enjoy our footy.”

Paul Cully joins Brett McKay and Harry Jones to look ahead at the semi finals in the latest edition of The Roar Rugby Podcast.

RTS makes big leap forward

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is timing his run into the All Blacks selection perfectly.

After an injury hit start, the former NRL star has been building momentum and won plaudits for his efforts against the Highlanders last week – which included his first SRP try.

“I think it was Roger’s best round. I just think he was fantastic not only on attack but defensively he seems to be just getting better and better each week,” former All Blacks hooker James Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast.

“In a big match when they were under pressure he really stood up and delivered.

“Roger is just getting better and better. He looks ready for that [test] level of intensity.”

Crusaders No.9 Bryn Hall agreed that RTS has strong claims for All Black selection.

Roger Tuivasa-Scheck of the Blues.

Roger Tuivasa-Scheck. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

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“I think that match put him in the All Blacks I think if I’m being honest,” Hall said. “We’ve talked around these kind of games, being able to play against the Australian teams builds his confidence.

“Then getting a game against the Highlanders and playing a game like that, I think that game puts him in the All Black frame.”

Tuivasa-Sheck had one try, two clean breaks, four defenders beaten, and 68 running metres on 11 carries against the Highlanders.

RTS faces challenges from a host of rivals for the ABs No. 12 jersey with Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Jack Goodhue and David Havili all in the conversation.

Jones reject wins gong

Yet again a player deemed not good enough for Eddie Jones’ England set up has scooped the English Premiership’s top award.

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Saracens flanker Ben Earl, who was ignored for England for the past 15 months, won the award ahead of Harlequins centre André Esterhuizen, Leicester’s Julian Montoya and the former England duo of George Ford and Danny Care.

In recent seasons Sam Simmonds, Jack Willis and Danny Cipriani have all been crowned the domestic player of the season after failing to force their way into the England starting XV.

Worrying times for Premiership players

England’s Kyle Sinckler has warned of ‘worrying times ahead’ as the Premiership faces a financial crisis.

The Welsh regions have culled around 50 players to counter financial issues brought on by Covid.

Sinckler has warned on Twitter that nearly 100 Premiership players will lose their jobs.

“Nearly 100 Premiership rugby players will now be without a club for the 22/23 season,” he wrote. “Nothing to do with their rugby ability just finances. Worrying times ahead.”

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