One Percenters: Peni in hot water, Irish fans get up close and personal

Sun, Jun 24, 2018, 9:00 AM
Sam Phillips and Beth Newman
by Sam Phillips and Beth Newman
Chance Peni is in trouble again. Photo: Getty Images

The June Series is over, but there was plenty of other rugby going on this week as well.

What have you missed in the last seven days?

Peni in hot water...again

Brumbies winger Chance Peni played just 17 minutes in his rugby return, before he landed squarely back in hot water.

Peni was playing for Wests in the John I Dent Cup, after a five-week suspension for a dangerous tackle.

That Super Rugby suspension was his third in the space of 12 months, and he told Fairfax Media's Canberra Times only two days ago that he had remedied his tackling technique.

It appears he is yet to really change his tackling approach, though, with the 24-year-old red-carded for lifting an opponent well above the horizontal.

The speedster is probably lucky to be sitting on a two-year deal with the Brumbies, because ill-discipline can quickly make someone a liability.

Any suspension won't be handed down until later in the week, but there's every chance Peni won't be turning out for the Brumbies again in 2018.

Irish fans up close and personal

This security guard got more than he'd bargained for at Allianz. Photo: Getty ImagesThere was plenty of Irish support across the June Series, but a handful of people managed to get right in the middle of the action after full-time in Sydney.

A group of Ireland supporters breached security and made it onto the pitch, with Ireland coach Joe Schmidt joking post-match that supporters maybe 'got closer than we expected'. 

On-field security didn't take long to bring down the streakers and return things to normal business, but that was after one seccy revealed a little more than he might have planned.

Sevens star returning to the fold

Henry Hutchison had a hat-trick against Kenya. Photo: Getty ImagesHenry Hutchison had only just burst onto the Sevens scene in 2016 when he was part of the Rio Olympics squad, and the whispers are getting louder that he is set for a return.

Hutchison left the program at the end of last season, signing with the Rebels, as he eyed a permanent move to XVs.

The youngster hasn't seen any Super Rugby game time, though, and is currently in Japan with a Sevens development team, with a view to a potential transition back into Sevens.

Melbourne has been slowly but surely shedding players this season as they prepare for a tighter squad size in 2018 and Hutchison could be the next to go.

Chucky on the big stage one more time


Aussie Sevens veteran Chucky Stannard announced his retirement last week and though he has never been one for a big fuss, he was presented with a special tribute at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, surrounded by some of his nearest and dearest.

Thanks, Chucky!

Sydney icon goes green and gold

In 2015, the Wallabies were the first team to get their logo on the Sydney Opera House and this week, it was the Sydney Harbour Bridge that was doused in colour to show support.

The bridge was lit up in green and gold during Saturday's game, and also in a trial earlier in the week, to cheer on the Wallabies.

Pretty good look, if you ask us.

Historic women's clash in Canberra

The ADFRU ran out big winners in Duntroon. Photo: ADFRU FacebookIt was an historic day for women's rugby in Canberra on Saturday, as the Australian Defence Force took on the Canberra Police for the first time.

The ADF proved superior on the day, with a 39-10 win, but it was the community impact the teams made sure they had in the lead-up that had everyone talking.

Both sides took part in coaching clinics in the local area ahead of the match, ensuring to spread the rugby message.

Tupou crosses codes and countries


Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou paid a visit to the Tongan rugby league team this week ahead of their Pacific Test and he was given a very special welcome.

Nyngan takes centre stage

Most people probably don't take much notice of the half-time touch 7s games at Tests, but each team that has played this season has a special story behind it.

Saturday's Test was a particularly heartening one, with players from Nyngan High School taking part.

Nyngan, in NSW's Western Plains region, is a town of just 2000 people but their girls' rugby program is going from strength to strength.

The girls were at Friday's captain's run, before their half-time cameo, having a chance to see some of the Wallabies in action up close.

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