Former WRU chairman Gareth Davies has been backed as the standout candidate to return to the role as the governing body continues its hunt for a successor to Richard Collier-Keywood. Davies, a highly respected figure in world rugby administration, previously held the role between 2014 and 2020 before failing to gain re-election onto the WRU council after taking on amateur clubs over issues such as payments to players.
Davies backed for WRU chair return
Now 70, Davies remains a popular figure among many in the professional game but has publicly stated his preference would be to keep four teams on tiered funding rather than get rid of a side, as the WRU board currently plan to do. It is understood the interview process for the role has seen prospective candidates asked how they would ensure the union's preferred three-team plan is delivered.
Former Wales captain Mike Hall believes a shake-up at board level is needed, and says Davies is the obvious choice. In a wide-ranging interview with WalesOnline, Hall said: "The obvious candidate for the chair role is Gareth Davies. He understands business, he understands rugby and is well-respected around the rugby globe. It is that sort of person we need to rally around. I'd go knock on David Pickering's (former WRU chairman) door as well."
Springboks and All Blacks share trophy in drawn series
The Springboks and All Blacks will share the trophy if their four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series ends in a 2-2 draw, with no tiebreaker being played. The agreement was confirmed at the launch of the new trophy in Johannesburg, which has been specifically designed to allow both teams to take home a half if the series is shared.
Former Springboks captain Gary Teichmann and All Blacks great Sean Fitzpatrick unveiled the trophy by bringing its two halves together using magnets. The four-Test series will be won by the team that records at least three victories. But if the sides win two matches apiece, each nation will keep one half of the trophy for the next four years. The decision reflects the history of the rivalry, with the first two tours between the countries, in 1921 and 1928, both ending in drawn series.
South Africa Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said it would be inappropriate to decide a winner using a tiebreaker after four Tests. "If each team has won two Tests at the end of 320 minutes of intense rugby, it seemed inappropriate to decide a winner on an arbitrary metric," he said. Fitzpatrick, the first All Blacks captain to win a series in South Africa, backed the decision. "I don't want to go to a kick-off or extra time. Just let the rivalry continue; I think that's the way it should be," he said.
Ruby Tui signs for Trailfinders Women
New Zealand World Cup winner Ruby Tui has joined Trailfinders Women on a one-year deal. The 34-year-old has signed for last season's Premiership Women's Rugby finalists, having enjoyed a hugely successful career in both sevens and 15-a-side rugby. She was part of the New Zealand team that beat England 34-31 in the 2021 World Cup final, while she also won Olympic gold at the 2016 Games and silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Trailfinders head coach Barney Maddison believes her experience and leadership can help the club build on their impressive campaign last season. "Ruby is one of the most respected figures in the women's game," Maddison told the club's website. "Her experience of winning at the very highest level, combined with the energy and leadership she brings off the pitch, will be an enormous asset to the squad as we push on from last season."
Tui said she was attracted to Trailfinders by the quality of the Premiership Women's Rugby competition and the way the club performed last season. "I feel like I've seen a lot of women's rugby and it's the biggest and best women's comp in the world right now," she said. "The whole Trailfinders team have been so welcoming since I got here and watching them all last season had me fizzed about how they're playing game."
