These are your evening rugby headlines on Saturday, June 15.
Regions ‘locked in battle’ for Williams
Three Welsh regions are still ‘locked in a battle’ to sign Wales full-back Liam Williams, according to reports.
The 33-year-old, who earned a surprise recall to Warren Gatland’s squad ahead of their summer Tests against South Africa and Australia, is currently contracted to Kubota Spears in Japan’s top division having joined them after last year’s World Cup
WalesOnline reported last month that Williams, whose partner Sophie Harries recently announced her pregnancy, was now eyeing a return home, despite being only halfway through his two-year contract with the Spears.
Cardiff, Ospreys and Dragons all expressed an initial interest in securing the 89-cap international’s services and a new report from RugbyPass says that all three regions are still in the hunt for his signature, claiming they are “locked in a three-way battle to land [him]”.
Williams will have to make a decision on his future before too long, but as the report states, this may not come until later in the summer if he makes the cut for the tour of Australia.
Wallaby to join Rees-Zammit?
Australia star Jordan Petaia is set to sensationally quit rugby in favour of following his dreams in the NFL.
According to Australian tabloid The Daily Telegraph, Petaia has informed Rugby Australia of his desire to pursue a new career in American football, and already been in contact with NFL officials who want him to join the International Player Pathway program later this year.
Petaia would follow former Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit in joining the IPP program, as well as fellow countryman Jordan Mailata. Of course, Rees-Zammit has since signed with the reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs, while Mailata has become a star with the the Philadelphia Eagles.
While any exit by the 24-year-old would likely happen towards the end of this year, it is potentially yet another blow for the Wallabies, after Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase made the code switch to rugby league and signed for Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters respectively.
All Black heavyweights to clash in final
The Super Rugby final has been confirmed, with an all-New Zealand affair set for Saturday, June 22.
Chiefs will take on Blues in a mammoth clash for the coveted competition, with the former securing their place in the showpiece event with a 30-19 victory over Hurricanes on Saturday.
Blues booked their place on Friday with a 34-20 win over Brumbies. With the match now confirmed, next weekend’s event will see the likes of Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown come up against their compatriots at the Blues.
Blues boast a plethora of Test quality players, including Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Dalton Papali’i and Akira Ioane.
Reigning champions Crusaders, for whom