It's been another big week of rugby.
What have you missed on and off the field?
Frisby flying off to Glasgow
⚔️🛡️ | ✍️ pic.twitter.com/rkKCzYzobN
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) July 7, 2018
The Queensland Reds have relieved themselves of one salary in the quartet of high-profile players on the outer at Ballymore as Nick Frisby confirmed a move to Scotland.
Frisby has signed a two-year deal with the Glasgow Warriors with a year still running on his current Reds contract.
The scrumhalf hasn't played for the Reds all season after coach Brad Thorn told Frisby and Quade Cooper that they weren't part of his future plans.
A loan deal with Bordeaux sent him abroad for three months and now his move will become a permanent one.
#WelcomeNick 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/o3SB3rBDvI
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) July 7, 2018
Warriors coach Dave Rennie said Frisby would be a handy addition to the club after the departure of Henry Pyrgos.
“With Henry Pyrgos moving on it’s great to replace him with an international halfback," he said in a media release.
"Nick has an outstanding skill set, he is quick and has a quality pass and kick.
"He’s also incredibly versatile, while he’s predominantly a nine the Reds sometimes played him at ten and as a young player he played a lot of 15.
“Coaching the Chiefs, when we were playing the Reds we would dedicate time in the week leading up to the game to shutting Nick down because of how dangerous he can be. His running game and ability to create space for others is a real point of difference.
“I’ve spoken to him recently and he’s incredibly competitive, he’s still a young man and we’re really excited to have him here and the fact that he’ll be here all year round is an extra bonus.”
The future of Cooper, Karmichael Hunt and James Slipper is still unclear as the Reds look for a way to ease their salary pressures in 2019.
World Cup format no fit for World Series
The Rugby World Cup Sevens kicks off in a fortnight's time and its format will be an unfamiliar one for fans of the Sevens World Series and Aussie men's coach Tim Walsh hopes it stays that way.
The quadrennial tournament is a knockout, with no pool play to kick off proceedings, and every match a sudden-death encounter.
"It remains to be seen, I think we have to go and experience it but it is an exciting format because every game is a grand final and you're not day one, cruising through, it's cut-throat," he said.
"But again, is it going to reward consistency, (if you have) a bad day or a bad game?
"I don't think it (has) longevity for a world series but we'll see how it pans out and we can do a review on it afterwards."
WA take out girls champs
Australia's schoolboys nationals kicked off on Sunday, but the girls' inaugural competition wrapped up last week with WA beating NSW 14-10 in the final
The West Australians finished on top even with superstar Courtney Hodder suffering a serious leg injury through the tournament.
Hodge's accuracy beyond expectations
Reece Hodge is a straight shooter in front of goal, but even his biggest fans might have been surprised to see that his kicking percentage on Friday night's Reds-Rebels broadcast.
Reece Hodge, can kick apparently. 😳 pic.twitter.com/vdYhsRGr5a
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) July 6, 2018
Wedding bells on the horizon for Lucas and Quirk
Congratulations to Brumbies halfback Matt Lucas and Sevens Olympian Alicia Quirk, who this week announced their engagement.
Crusaders rename stadium for Crockett
In most milestone matches, veterans might be given a rare shot at goal or a standing ovation.
Very few would have been given the honour 200-gamer Waytt Crockett was in Christchurch last weekend, with the Crusaders renaming their stadium for one night.
The Christchurch side played a match fitting their milestone man as well, in 'his' stadium for the night.
Parramatta rebrand for 2019
Special announcement from President @ParramattaRugby @BrianBlacklock - new name: “Western Sydney Two Blues Rugby” pic.twitter.com/Y0FNMwBO5l
— Josephine Sukkar (@JosephineSukkar) July 6, 2018
The Shute Shield's Parramatta are doing their bit to keep the faith in Western Sydney rugby, renaming themselves the Western Sydney Two Blues for 2019 and beyond.
Their move comes after Penrith was axed from the Shute Shield earlier this year to the outrage of many in the west.
Tolu notches half-century
It was a milestone that went somewhat under the radar this week, but Tolu Latu's Waratahs teammates were quick to pay tribute to the hooker on his 50th Super Rugby game.
Latu has worked his way back from the outer at the Waratahs and Wallabies to play his 50th against the Sunwolves, a reward justifying the work he has put in.
