Nic White’s move back to Australia, as revealed in One Percenters last month, was all-but confirmed by Rob Baxter at the weekend but in an interesting twist, the Exeter coach also reckons White will be at the World Cup later this year.
A local Exeter sports reporter tweeted that Baxter expected White would be unavailable for the Chiefs during the tournament, but would stay with the club until the middle of 2020.
The logic makes some sense given White is deliberately being signed before the 2019 World Cup to play Super Rugby in 2021, but the likes of Jake Gordon, Nick Phipps and Tate McDermott would no doubt have their own views about White being a lock for a World Cup spot.
Rob Baxter confirms @ExeterChiefs to be without Nic White during RWC as he will likely be playing for @qantaswallabies. White then to sign for a Super Rugby team at the end of 19/20 campaign
— Howard Lloyd (@howard_lloyd) April 27, 2019
White was in good form for Exeter at the weekend in a narrow win over Harlequins, scoring a try at the end of a 27-phase play.
But some aren’t fans of the Chiefs’ methodical style of play, and White’s role in that.
Former England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler was caught giving White a gobful as he lined up a box kick, and the video has struck such a chord it has gone viral.
(Language warning on this one).
More proof @JoeMarler is a very funny bloke 🤣 pic.twitter.com/T4zZObwzCN
— Rob Cotton (@robcotton84) April 27, 2019
Force downed on Japanese trip
The Western Force's winning 2019 ways came to an end this weekend with a 51-38 loss to the Japan Wolfpack.
Marcel Brache had a double for the Force against the Japanese A side, while Rod Davies, Brad Lacey, Tevin Ferris and Masivesi Dakuwaqa also added to the scoresheet.
It wasn't enough for the Force to notch a win on tour, though, against a Japanese side that had a number of internationals and Super Rugby players in their ranks.
The Force travel to Singapore next week to take on the Asia Pacific Dragons in the next of their Rapid Rugby showcase matches for the season.
Boks unveil World Cup jersey
South Africa became the first country to unveil their World Cup jersey this week.
The Springboks announced the design on Thursday, dubbing it an "unstoppable" design.
SA Rugby said in a release that players were interviewed about their requirements for a jersey and more than 10 versions of the strip were tested before the final design was settled.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said the jersey was the country's most advanced in history.
“It’s a momentous year as the Springboks aim to win our third World Cup in Japan," he said.
“Every little detail counts and that includes all the focus and effort put in by ASICS into making this the most advanced jersey for the Boks to wear in Japan and support them in their quest to reach their goal.”
Some fans jumped on social media to say they didn't like the lighter-than-usual green but that was just a lighting issue apparently.
The Wallabies will also unveil a World Cup jersey shortly, we hear.
New twist in Japanese anthem at Oceania U20s
The Japanese national anthem received a twist ahead of their opening Oceania U20 championship clash against Australia after background music at Bond University was inadvertently left playing during the pre-match formalities.
As red-faced officials scurried around trying to turn it off, the solemn national song played to all as a mash-up with an urban beat.
The Japanese players were left unfazed though, belting out the anthem ahead of their game against Australia.
The musical hitch was not the only attention-stealer on Friday night, with a local Kookaburra taking centre stage in the second half of the Australia-Japan clash as it swept in to feast on the bounty of insects attracted by the floodlights.
Australia plays its second match of the campaign against Fiji on Tuesday, before rounding out the tournament with a clash against New Zealand on Saturday.
The Junior Wallabies are no certainties to be crowd favourites in that match either.
The Gold Coast is home to a huge Kiwi population and many turned out to watch New Zealand’s tournament opener against Fiji on Friday night, leaving the ground before the Junior Wallabies kicked off.
Kerevi "honoured" to visit Fiji U20s
He might be a Wallaby but Samu Kerevi has not forgotten his Fijian roots.
Kerevi was on hand on the Gold Coast this week to present the jerseys to the Fijian U20s ahead of the Oceania U20s championship.
The 25-year-old played for the Fiji U20s before moving to Australia and eventually representing the Wallabies.
Kerevi posted the moment to Instagram, saying that he was honoured to be a part of the side's tournament lead-up.
"So humbling to be given the opportunity to present the jerseys to the FIJI U20’s team, something I will cherish forever," he wrote.
"To have put on the jersey myself at one stage of my career was a massive honour and it has helped shape the player I am today.
"Good luck to the brothers as they begin their campaign in the Oceanic Cup and into the U20s World Cup. #NoquKalouNoquVanua #Phill413"
It's not the first time some Wallabies have helped out with the visiting Oceania nations - Kerevi's Reds teammate Taniela Tupou helped the Tongan U20s out ahead of the 2018 competition.
Cubelli acknowledges Canberran connection
Sunday morning's Brumbies-Jaguares clash was extra special for Jaguares halfback Tomas Cubelli, who spent two seasons with the ACT franchise.
Cubelli became a fan favourite and was popular with his teammates in his time with the Brumbies before joining the Jaguares.
Speaking post-match, Cubelli was quick to acknowledge the opportunity the team had offered him and gave a shout-out to Canberrans on the broadcast.
"It was a great game of rugby and definitely was special because it was against an organisation I respect a lot and that gave me my first crack at this competition," he said post-match.
"It was a special game, hard to play against friends but it's just a rugby game."
"Canberra is a special place so I want to say hi to everyone back there."
Latu loses grip in pre-game clip
Things didn't go the Waratahs' way against the Sharks on Saturday night and for Tolu Latu ,that trend started before the game.
In a clip that has now spread on social media, Latu was captured on camera losing his grip on a pre-game cup of Gatorade.
It was picked up by some eagle-eyed pundits and even Rebels prop Sam Talakai posted it on his Instagram story, joking that Latu was suffering from a case of pre-game nerves.
Saturday's match against the Sharks was Latu's first since round two after a suspension but he is now set to miss at least two upcoming matches with a calf injury.
