With so many players and clubs doing media each day, it can be hard to keep on top of a lot of the stories coming out.
Rugby is filled with them across all levels of the game and whilst most are covered through some form of media, there are others that might have slipped off the radar as injuries, setbacks and the Wallabies' win over Argentina dominate the headlines.
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One Percenters returns for the Rugby Championship as it looks at everything you might have missed from the week of Rugby.
Newly promoted Japanese Top League club Mitsubishi Dynaboars has confirmed the signing of former Rebels and Wallabies playmaker Matt To'omua.
To'omua announced in July he was leaving Australian Rugby, excited by the challenge ahead.
“I am very excited to be joining Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars. I am fully committed to giving everything I have towards the team,” To’omua said in a statement.
“It is such an exciting time to join the club, with our recent promotion, and we will only look to build on that momentum and climb the ladder. I can’t wait to get to Japan and Sagamihara.
“Currently I am at home training very hard, and I’ve started learning Nihon-go and am enjoying the challenge. I’m very excited to meet everyone there and would like to thank the club for showing faith in me. Now I will do all I can to return the favour.”
With Rugby Australia confirming a partnership with Sportable for the England series, there has never been a time where stats have been more rich and available to clubs, coaches and fans.
As data continued to develop, take a look at some of the more interesting and unique stats heading into the second round of the Rugby Championship, courtesy of Opta.
- Australia has made the most tackle busts of any tier one nation in 2022 (24), whilst Argentina has made just 12, leaving them last.
- The win over Argentina gave the Wallabies their largest winning streak in the Rugby Championship with five straight victories.
- Argentina (16) and Australia (20) have made few kicks in play per game than any other tier one nation, with New Zealand (21) in third.
- Nic White’s kicking game was a major factor in the win, contributing 401 metres, nearly more than 100 metres more than his nearest Rugby Championship rival Jaden Hendrikse (304) despite kicking two times fewer (13 kicks v 11)
- South Africa will be looking for their third straight win over New Zealand, which would be their longest streak since 2009.
- Meanwhile, a loss sees the Kiwis recording back-to-back defeats to open the Rugby Championship for just the second time in history after they were whitewashed in the 1998 Tri-Nations. This was also the lone time in the past 70 years they have lost more than three games in a row.
With the final episode of Neighbours airing last week, Sevens star Dom Du Toit has opened up on a unique cameo on the hit show after their gold medal heroics.
Du Toit had the opportunity to live out her acting dreams in 2016 following their Rio success.
“I always wanted to be an actress before Sevens came along and I was fortunate to play myself in an episode promoting female and women sport,” she told Big Sports Breakfast
“It was a very short cameo, about 30 sec-1min but it was a highlight of my Sevens career to be able to do acting.
“I did put my hand up and say if you need anymore but I didn’t get a callback…that was going to be my road into Hollywood and now it’s gone (laughs).”
Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White has admitted nothing would change if he was appointed captain as they deal with life without Michael Hooper.
Brumbies teammate James Slipper took the appointment for the win over Argentina, however, it appeared White's replacement Jake Gordon was actually the one who took over the role when Slipper went off the field with under ten minutes remaining.
It throws up questions surrounding who takes the responsibility when White is on and Slipper is off, with the veteran scrumhalf not actively searching for the title.
“If it comes, I’m pretty happy doing my role, nothing would change,” White told reporters.
“I’m sitting there behind ‘Slips’ (James Slipper) and I chew the boys’ ears off plenty. I’ve already got a role in the team and plenty of voice there so I don’t need a title. I’m sure the referees won’t be stoked about it.”
“I was ready to step up and be captain but I got overlooked and Slippy got the nod,” his teammate hooker Folau Fainga’a interjected.
“I’m happy where I am, I’ve got a lot of weight on my shoulders just throwing the line out so that’s enough leadership (laughs). I’m just happy to do my job and it’s always a privilege to put that Wallabies jersey on.”
With the Commonwealth Games wrapping up, the Wallabies front-row brigade took inspiration with their own version of the sprint.
Taniela Tupou proved too quick to take the gold and $2000 pesos (about $20 AUD) over Folau Fainga'a and Allan Alaalatoa.
Given the conjecture from the trio, expect a rematch down the line.
