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 the final rounds of Super Rugby Pacific dominate discussions.
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One Percenters looks at everything you might have missed from the week of Rugby.
English club Northampton has confirmed lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will return to Australia after handing him his release.
Salakaia-Loto is expected to sign with the Rebels for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“I’m leaving Saints with a heavy heart as I loved my first season representing Northampton and being part of a special group of players here," he said in a statement
“I believe the Club has everything in place to challenge for major silverware in the years ahead, but you have to put your family before everything else, and being on the other side of the world from the rest of our loved ones has been difficult.
“So, we’ve made the decision to return home to Australia, but I’ll always cherish the short time I had in Black, Green and Gold, and how all the Saints supporters welcomed us into this community in Northampton.
“I’m leaving some great teammates and friends, but I hope the boys can kick on again next season – and I’ll be supporting everyone at Saints from afar.”
In the modern game, there has never been a time when stats have been richer and more available to clubs, coaches and fans.
As data continues to develop, take a look at some of the more exciting and unique stats heading into round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific, courtesy of Opta.
- The Highlanders are aiming for back-to-back home wins at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the first time since June 2021
- Harry Wilson's inclusion in the starting side is a big bonus. No one crosses the gain line more than Wilson (11 carries per 80 minutes) whilst leading the comp in carries (165)
- The Force have enjoyed a recent hot streak against the Rebels, winning three of their last four and their last two at AAMI Park.
- Meanwhile, the Rebels remain dangerous off the turnover with 10 tries starting from a turnover won, with only the Hurricanes and Chiefs ahead of them (11).
- The Waratahs will be aiming for back-to-back wins over Kiwi sides for the first time since 2015
- The Crusaders have won their last ten at home against the Waratahs, having lost two of their last three away.
- The Brumbies have won three of their last four matches against the Chiefs and five of their last six encounters at home.
- The Chiefs are looking to avoid back-to-back defeats against Australian sides for the first time since 2014
Eddie Jones has heaped praise on Wallaby Will Skelton after his success with La Rochelle.
Skelton was influential in their back-to-back Champions Cup titles as they came back to defeat Leinster.
With a limited amount of overseas picks available for the Wallabies, Jones believes the lock could be a vital asset at September's World Cup.
“I have seen parts of the (final) but he was enormous,” Jones said ahead of him taking charge of the Barbarians.
“You look at the World Cup, probably up to the quarter-finals they are going to be pretty quick games, flat pitches, sun shining but you know once you get to [the] Stade de France, heavy atmosphere, heavy pitch and it becomes a set-piece contest and having a right-hand side lock like him is a big advantage.”
The Crusaders continue to reload, signing Moana Pasifika centre Levi Aumua.
Aumua has been the standout for the expansion side since coming into Super Rugby, signing a two-year deal.
“I would like to say how very thankful I am to Moana Pasifika for providing me the platform over the last few years to get on the field to play and express myself with a great group of players,” Aumua said.
“In my career I have been lucky enough to play all over the world, but in recent times my desire to try play for the All Blacks has intensified. At the end of last year, I got a small taste with the All Blacks XV which only strengthened my hunger to play for the All Blacks.
“With this in mind, I have decided to commit myself to the Crusaders for the next two years, a group I know well from my time with Tasman Makos.
“For now, my focus is on finishing the season strong with Moana.”
The Barbarians are back for another year with a blockbuster clash with a World XV side at Twickenham.
Traditions remain rooted with the famous side and when footage of Quade Cooper taking what appeared to be a fitness test (or anything remotely close to actual training) emerged, their social media was quick to alleviate any fears with a cheeky club statement.
Thankfully, they were treated to more fitting footage of Alun Wyn Jones kicking conversions like he was Gareth Bale; the true Barbarians' way
