News in Brief
Mealamu blow for the All Blacks
Keven Mealamu has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the season after sustaining a chest injury
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- All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu will sit out the rest of the international rugby season after rupturing a chest muscle in the Tri-Nations match against South Africa at the weekend.
Mealamu left the field late in the second half of their 31-19 loss to South Africa in Durban and was clearly in some discomfort, clutching at his chest.
The All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said that Mealamu underwent an MRI scan in Auckland which confirmed a ruptured major tendon on the left side of his chest.
"It's incredibly disappointing for Keven but he is in a positive frame of mind and will undergo surgery on Friday," Robinson said.
Mealamu will be out of rugby for a minimum of four months, ruling him out of the remainder of the Tri-Nations as well as the All Blacks' end of year tour.
- The Australian Rugby Union has reached agreement with Timana Tahu to release him from his ARU-NSWRU with immediate effect.
The 28-year-old spent two season with the Waratahs and played four times for the Wallabies but has now sought to end his contract with a return to rugby league his most likely destination.
"Timana approached us with a request to be released from his contract," said ARU High Performance boss David Nucifora.
"Through amicable discussions we have reached a resolution which has satisfied all the parties involved."
- The Chiefs back Sosene Anesi could be set to quit New Zealand and further his career in Australia.
His contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union ends this year and the Australian Super 14 franchise, the New South Wales Waratahs, are keen to replace Lote Tuqiri who's had his contract with the ARU terminated.
The Samoa-born Anesi played his sole Test for New Zealand in 2005 and has found game time this season difficult to come by after the Chiefs' impressive run to the Super 14 final.
He would be eligible to sign for the Waratahs after the ARU a ruling last year that permits the signing of one non-Australian eligible player by a franchise.
"I've been talking to my management and looking at options for the Super 14. I heard the Waratahs are quite interested but I don't know what's happening yet," he told stuff.co.nz.
"If the opportunity's there I'll take it. I haven't had much rugby this year with the Chiefs, with injuries and stuff, so what I'm trying to do is make sure I get on the park and play some rugby. I want to play so (a move) would be a good opportunity for me."
- Leicester Tigers will give some game-time to former France fullback Nicolas Jeanjean before deciding whether to offer a permanent contract. Jeanjean will play against Montpellier and Castres in pre-season games on Wednesday and Saturday after impressing coach Richard Cockerill during training.
- The Scarlets have signed young Dragons prop Jamie Corsi, Merthyr RFC No.8 Ben Morgan and 21-year-old Tonmawr RFC hooker Rhys Lawrence to two-year development contracts.
© Scrum.com
1. Max Verstappen ()
