Watch Gloucester Rugby vs Harlequins Aviva Premiership Rugby Match Live Streaming Online

Watch Gloucester Rugby vs Harlequins Aviva Premiership Rugby Match Live Streaming Online

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Kaplan critical of late Springboks penalty

Retired South African referee Jonathan Kaplan says the decision to award a last-gasp penalty against the All Blacks in their loss to the Springboks sets a dangerous precedent. First five-eighth Pat Lambie slotted a 78th-minute penalty to hand the hosts a 27-25 win in Johannesburg on Saturday, after All Blacks flanker Liam Messam committed a high tackle on opposite Schalk Burger.

Kaplan, who whistled a world record 68 Tests, says the tackle deserved to be penalised but he was concerned about how the incident came to the attention of referee Wayne Barnes. Writing for the website ratetheref.co.za, Kaplan noted Barnes and his assistant referees all missed the tackle, which was then brought to their attention by broadcasters who controlled what was shown by replay on the big screen at Ellis Park. 

"After finding the clip, and then replaying it over and over, eventually the match officials decided it was worthy of review, and correctly awarded a penalty to the Boks," Kaplan said. "I doubt [very much] whether that clip would have been brought up on the screen by producers in Aus or NZ and replayed over and over.

"Is it right that someone outside of the domain of the match officials can affect the outcome of a major Test match? And how neutral is he?"

Kaplan had few concerns about other aspects of Barnes' game. He even handed the Englishman praise for a surprisingly good rendition of American singer Don McLean's Bye Bye Miss American Pie at a barbecue he hosted earlier in the week.

"So much for those people who regularly say the Northern referees are not up to it!"

However, Kaplan wasn't as complimentary about Welsh referee Nigel Owens, savaging his performance in the other Rugby Championship Test on Saturday in Mendoza, where Argentina beat Australia 21-17

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Beale, McKenzie to face ARU investigator

Under-pressure Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie may be forced to name his squad for next week's Bledisloe Cup match before an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) investigation into Kurtley Beale is completed.

Troubled star Beale was immediately whisked away by ARU officials upon touching down in Sydney on Tuesday night with his playing future unclear following a mid-air confrontation with Wallabies staffer Di Patston.

The ARU's integrity unit is looking to finalise its investigation into the incident, which occurred when the team was en route between South Africa and Argentina, by the end of the week.

Both Beale and McKenzie are set to be interviewed at the game's headquarters in St Leonards on Wednesday and the Wallabies coach will announce his squad for the third Bledisloe - against New Zealand in Brisbane on October 18 - on either Thursday or Friday this week.

Depending how far integrity unit boss Phil Thompson is already through his investigation, findings into Beale may not be finalised by the time the squad is announced. With inside back Matt Toomua battling a concussion problem, McKenzie would be hard-pressed leaving Beale out of his squad on form alone.

Beale arrived home from Australia's disastrous tour, where they lost to the Springboks and then historically to Argentina, to waiting media, and was immediately escorted away by David Crombie, the ARU President.

The off-contract New South Wales Waratahs playmaker has been linked to possible moves to the National Rugby League or French rugby.

McKenzie emerged through the arrival gate and told reporters he couldn't confirm whether Beale would be included in his squad to face the All Blacks should the investigation into his off-field behaviour still be ongoing.

"You're asking questions I haven't even got around to thinking about the squad," said McKenzie, who reportedly sat next to Patston at the time of the alleged incident and later accompanied the Business Manager to Buenos Aires airport for her immediate flight home to Australia.

"Obviously we've already flagged the ARU has undertaken an investigation and that will happen. I don't know the exact timing. Obviously it's been targeted for this week. It's been a tough period."

McKenzie has flagged that personnel changes could be on the horizon for the end-of-year Spring Tour, after several stars have failed to impress from extended opportunities.

Stars Will Genia and Quade Cooper are both expected to play in an NRC game on Thursday at Brookvale Oval and are on the comeback trail. McKenzie confirmed the coaching staff was looking through options.

"We've got lots of situations now with injuries," he said. "We've gone through the replays and spent all Sunday on that topic looking at the football side of it. There are some bits and pieces that will be a discussion amongst the coaching staff and there are things we're looking at. I've had lots of challenges in the job but it's quite clear we're trying to make progress and not everything is going our way

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Condensed Rugby Championship format revealed

Australia will play New Zealand twice in a week as part of their preparation for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The draw for the condensed 2015 Rugby Championship sees champions New Zealand host Argentina in Christchurch but travelling to South Africa and Australia. The competition will take place over three rounds with a fourth added that will not contribute to the tournament.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said: "The Rugby Championship continues to be one of the game's greatest tests, pitting the world's elite rugby nations against one another. The intense rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa has risen to lofty new heights in recent years and subsequently evolved into one of sport's 'must watch' events, captivating crowds in stadiums, bars and living rooms around the world.

"Argentina recently returned to the IRB's top 10 and will seek to build on their inaugural victory in the championship while the Wallabies and All Blacks renew another rivalry steeped in history and tradition with clashes in Sydney and Auckland."

Round One:
July 17: New Zealand v Argentina - AMI Stadium, Christchurch
July 18: Australia v South Africa - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Round Two:
Saturday July 25: South Africa v New Zealand - Venue TBC
Saturday July 25: Argentina v Australia - Venue TBC

Round Three:
Saturday August 8: Australia v New Zealand - ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Saturday August 8: South Africa v Argentina - Venue TBC

Additional Week (not for competition points):
Saturday August 15: New Zealand v Australia - Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday August 15: Argentina v South Africa - Venue TBc

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Christchurch gets Friday night rugby Test

The All Blacks' sole meaningful home Test in the Rugby Championship next year will be against Argentina in Christchurch on a Friday night. A shortened championship schedule has been announced to allow for the Rugby World Cup later in the year.

Each of the four Rugby Championship sides - New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina - will play each other just once. The All Blacks' Friday night match will give them more time to travel to South Africa for their match the following weekend, at a venue which is yet to be confirmed.

It will be their first Friday Test for 12 years.

Argentina have played only once before in Christchurch, losing 67-19 to the All Blacks in 2001. The Rugby Championship winner will be known following the final round on August 8, when New Zealand face Australia in Sydney.

Another non-competition round will be played the following week, with the All Blacks meeting the Wallabies in Auckland five weeks out from their World Cup opener against Argentina in London. Ten of Australia's last 16 Tests in New Zealand have been at Eden Park.

The All Blacks' open their season with a historic Test against Samoa in Apia on July 8, four days after the Super Rugby final.

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW FOR 2015

ROUND 1 Friday 17 July: New Zealand v Argentina - AMI Stadium, Christchurch Saturday 18 July: Australia v South Africa - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

ROUND 2 Saturday 25 July: South Africa v New Zealand - Venue TBC Saturday 25 July: Argentina v Australia - Venue TBC

ROUND 3 Saturday 8 August: Australia v New Zealand - ANZ Stadium, Sydney Saturday 8 August: South Africa v Argentina - Venue TBC

ADDITIONAL WEEK (not for competition points): Saturday 15 August: New Zealand v Australia - Eden Park, Auckland Saturday 15 August: Argentina v South Africa - Venue TBC.

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Dan Biggar's groin injury not as bad as anticipated

Dan Biggar could return from his groin injury in time for Wales' Tests against New Zealand and South Africa.

The Ospreys fly-half, 25, was taken off during the 33-28 defeat by Australia, prompting Wales to call up James Hook.
In a further boost, centres Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams and number eight Dan Baker are all fit again.
"I'd expect Dan to be available, if not for this weekend, then definitely the last two games," said Wales assistant coach Rob Howley.
Regardless how quickly Biggar recovers, he is expected to be rested for Wales' next match against Fiji on Saturday, 15 November.
Howley confirmed there will be changes for that encounter, with Rhys Priestland likely to start at fly-half after replacing the injured Biggar against the Wallabies.
"Competition for places is key," said Howley.
"It's nice to have them [Davies, Williams and Baker] back. It's nice to have decisions to make in terms of selections.
"James [Hook] comes in with an open chance [of starting against Fiji]. Rhys [Priestland] will probably start with James possibly on the bench.
"It's nice to have Hooky in the squad, and I'm sure James will want the opportunity to say 'I should have been selected in the squad in the first place'."
Leigh Halfpenny went off against Australia with concussion and is likely to be rested for the Fiji Test, but Howley expects the Toulon full-back to be available for the remaining matches.
Fiji's autumn tour began with a 40-15 defeat by France.
Ex-Wales captain Gareth Thomas has backed Gloucester's 76-times capped fly-half Hook for a Wales place, in the belief Warren Gatland's side need an instinctive playmaker.

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England and Leicester Tigers prop ready for full return

England prop Dan Cole says he is ready to start for Leicester Tigers after playing his first game for nine months in Sunday's LV= Cup win over Sale.

The 27-year-old, who had been sidelined since January with a neck injury, played for 30 minutes as a substitute in the 29-13 victory at Welford Road.
Tigers face Saracens when their Premiership campaign resumes on Sunday.
"If picked I feel good to go. I have had nine months of doing not a lot," Cole told BBC Radio Leicester.
Tigers earned a bonus-point cup win against the Sharks with a dominant second-half performance, having been down 13-3 at the break.

 

Harry Thacker scored soon after the restart and, after Cole came on, tries from Matt Smith and a Miles Benjamin double helped secure an emphatic win. 
Cole, who could come into contention for England's remaining autumn internationals, added: "The crowd were getting a bit frustrated in the first half and they vocalised that in the second half and were fantastic - and the team responded. That inspired the young boys.
"I was just pleased to get out there and run about.
"It's a bit of auto pilot when you get on the field. There are a few nerves beforehand but once you are on, the adrenaline takes over. There isn't time to think about things.
"Nothing you can do of the field compares to the tempo and pace of the game when playing.
"The body will take some adjusting. The club have been great and I have worked hard."

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Wales v Fiji: Gareth Thomas backs James Hook for Wales spot

Former captain Gareth Thomas believes Wales need a player such as James Hook to improve their attacking instincts.

The 76-times capped Gloucester fly-half has been recalled into the squad for the November Tests amid Dan Biggar's groin injury concerns.
"I think we need more of a playmaker," Thomas told Scrum V.
Dual code international Thomas says centres Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams should face Fiji on Saturday, if fit.
"These two guys should play. We need someone to break up this structure that we all know what's happening," he continued.

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Wales v Fiji - 50 years on

"I like somebody who goes in there and you don't know [what he's going to do], a Matthew Morgan type.
"It's a shame he's injured because I like to watch somebody that can play within the structure, when he sees something, it's instinctive and he'll go for it.
Wales coach Warren Gatland and his fellow coaches were limited in their options by injuries.
Cardiff Blues' Rhys Patchell (hamstring) and Bristol's former Ospreys fly-half Matthew Morgan (broken ankle) were ruled out of immediate contention.
Gatland also said after Wales' defeat by Australia on Saturday that new Blues stand-off Gareth Anscombe would not be considered following his arrival in Wales the day after the loss to the Wallabies.
Former England centre Jeremy Guscott says Hook's attacking instincts may be hard for team-mates to capitalise upon.
Guscott said: "I think the difficulty in the modern-day game is having someone who is instinctive.
"It's difficult to fit them into a structured, organised team.
"James needs to fit into the style that Wales play, which I don't think is difficult because they keep going the same way.
"He's certainly a talented kid. He plays the game extremely well. He's got a great rugby brain. It's a shame he's not being used."

 

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