News in Brief
Vainikolo agrees new Gloucester deal
Lesley Vainikolo has signed a new two-year deal with Gloucester
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- Lesley Vainikolo has ended speculation about his playing future by signing a new two-year deal with Gloucester. The former New Zealand rugby league international, who has five caps for England in union, had been linked with a move back to the 13-man code at the end of his contract in May.
"I'm really pleased that we've agreed terms with Les," Gloucester director of rugby Bryan Redpath said. "He's worked so hard to get back to fitness after his Achilles injury and I think we're just seeing him get back to the form that we know he's capable of.
"He's been excellent for us in 2010. He's always been capable of finishing off moves but he's also been sucking in defenders and creating space for others."
- In-form Blues centre Rene Ranger has been confirmed as the player facing two assault charges in court. The charges relate to an incident last August, with Ranger having been granted anonymity to this point.
"Rene is an employee of the Blues franchise and we have been kept right across what has been happening and while it did not happen in our season - it happened last year - we have been well-informed on what has been going on," Blues head coach Pat Lam told The New
Zealand Herald.
Ranger will next appear before Whangarei District Court on April 30.
- Back-row Ben Mowen has boosted the Waratahs by extending his current contract for another season. Mowen is currently on a run of 19 straight Super 14 games for the Tahs after joining from the Reds in 2007.
- Nottingham tight-head Petrus Du Plessis has completed a deal with Premiership side Saracens. The South African prop was set to join Sarries at the end of the season but has been given clearance to join them immediately following season-ending injuries to Carlos Nieto and Tom Mercey.
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1. Max Verstappen ()
