Newcastle centre Jamie Noon has confirmed he is leaving the Falcons this summer to take up a new challenge in France with Brive set to be revealed as his destination.
"This has not been an easy decision, because Newcastle Falcons is a tremendous club which has really made me what I am today," said the 29-year-old. "I have received an offer to go and experience something new over in France, and with our three children being so young myself and my wife Rachel were never going to get the chance again as a family to go and sample such a different way of life and a new culture."Noon is the second Falcons star to confirm a France switch after Tom May recently completed a switch to Toulon while Jonny Wilkinson is also expected to put pen to paper with the same club in the coming weeks.
Blues lock Ali Williams will be sidelined with injury for at least a month, leaving him in serious doubt for the All Blacks' three rugby Tests in June.
One day after confirming he had re-signed with New Zealand rugby until 2012, medical staff diagnosed Williams as having suffered micro tears in his Achilles tendon early in Friday's 27-45 loss to the Hurricanes which will end his Super 14 season. "It's not perfect, not ideal but at least it hasn't ruptured," he said.The 28-year-old, who has only started in five games this season, has been told the injury could keep him out of action for four to six weeks. It leaves him a doubtful starter for the the All Blacks' first Test of the year, against France at Dunedin on June 13. They play France in Wellington a week later, followed by Italy at Christchurch on June 27.
South Africa fullback Conrad Jantjes will miss this summer's Test series against the British and Irish Lions after breaking his leg. Jantjes, 29, suffered the injury in a collision with Liam Messam 10 minutes into the Stormers' Super 14 defeat to the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.
Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed the injury had ended Jantjes' Lions hopes. "It is really serious. He is going to be out for a long time," said Erasmus. "His leg is broken. I don't know how serious the break is, but it seemed to me the leg was turned the wrong way round, so it is really serious."I just hope he can get healthy as soon as possible. It is bad for him. His Lions tour is gone. It is sad for him and a massive setback for us."
The injury problems are building for South Africa coach Pieter de Villiers. Schalk Burger also departed the action in the first half against the Chiefs with a calf problem while centres Jean de Villiers and Adrian Jacobs both missed the weekend's Super 14 action because of injury. The Springboks are already without Bath fly-half Butch James, who has damaged knee ligaments.
The latest All Blacks strip was unveiled in Auckland on Monday.
All Blacks Joe Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Ali Williams were on hand to model the team's new playing strip. A new all-white All Blacks jersey was unveiled to be used as a second strip when the All Blacks were playing outside New Zealand and there was a clash in jerseys.It will be worn for the first time against France in Marseille this November during the All Blacks' end of year tour. Controversy surrounded New Zealand's alternate grey and silver strip worn in their failed bid to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Jimmy Gopperth says talks to secure an early release from his North Harbour contract are still ongoing after signing a three-year deal with English club Newcastle Falcons.
The Falcons are hoping to have their new recruit in Newcastle in time for pre-season in July. But the 25-year-old fly-half is contracted to his province until the end of the Air New Zealand Cup competition which runs until November."We're just working through that at the moment. I'm sure I'll know in the next few days or few weeks," he told PA Sport. "Whatever way it works I'll put 100% in to wherever I go. If I stay and play for North Harbour then my heart will be with North Harbour and playing in the New Zealand Cup. If I go early, I'll be looking forward to that."