Five rugby rumours and transfers: Jonathan Ruru, Len Ikitau, Pieter-Steph du Toit

Jared Wright
rugby rumours transfers len ikitau jonathan ruru pieter-steph du toit australia premiership dragons bristol bears

It’s been another busy week with rugby rumours and transfers, and Planet Rugby brings you five top stories ahead of the weekend.

Former Maori All Black sacked

French Pro D2 team Provence is set to sack scrum-half Jonathan Ruru after an off-field incident.

According to a report by La Provence, the former Blues and Auckland player hit a team-mate’s wife during a New Year’s Eve celebration.

The club reported that the scrum-half was sidelined for a knee injury, but the report states they are covering up the incident.

Ruru is said to have gotten into an argument with a team-mate’s wife during the drunken evening before striking her. A team-mate who witnessed the incident reacted swiftly and attacked Ruru breaking his jaw and shoulder. The scrum-half was hospitalised and operated on afterwards.

The former Maori All Black is set to be interviewed by the club’s management before his dismissal is made official.

Busy Bears

Thursday was a busy day for Bristol Bears‘ social media admins, with the Premiership club announcing nine contract renewals and two new arrivals ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Steven Luatua, Harry Thacker, Max Lahiff, Yann Thomas, Jake Woolmore, Jake Heenan, Piers O’Conor, Ed Holmes and Jay Tyack have all signed extended deals at Ashton Gate.

They will be joined at the club by new signings Sam Wolstenholme and Gabriel Oghre. Both players represented Wasps before the side entered administration.

Scrum-half Wolstenholme played 32 times for Wasps and is currently on a short-term contract with Leicester Tigers. Hooker Oghre made 66 appearances for Wasps and has since had short stints at Leicester Tigers and Top 14 outfit Bordeaux.

The news that so many fans’ favourites are sticking around next season is music to Bears supporters’ ears after Luke Morahan’s departure mid-season, with the likes of Andy Uren, Tom Whiteley, Will Porter, Sam Bedlow, Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau set to leave at the end of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, their West Country rivals Gloucester announced that centre Seb Atkinson had signed a contract renewal with the Cherry and Whites.

Eight Dragons sign new deals

Meanwhile, with the contract row between the Welsh Rugby Union and the regions still ongoing, the Dragons have announced new deals with eight players.

The Men of Gwent confirmed that captain Harrison Keddie, Elliot Dee, Jack Dixon, Joe Davies, Lloyd Fairbrother, Ollie Griffiths and Ashton Hewitt have all agreed to new contracts with the club.

On loan lock, Matthew Screech has also extended his stay at the Rodney Parade-based outfit.

Of the eight re-signings, only Griffiths has not played 100 times  for the side – with Screech in his second stint at the Dragons – but is just one appearance shy of the milestone.

“We’re extremely pleased to now secure their futures and thank them all for their patience and professionalism throughout this difficult period,” said head coach Dai Flanagan.

Rugby Australia continues to build to 2025

With the British and Irish Lions facing off against the Wallabies in 2025, Rugby Australia (RA) is securing the services of key stars ahead of their arrival.

Brumbies centre Len Ikitau is the latest player to commit his services to RA, signing a new deal until the end of 2025.

The 24-year-old’s re-signing comes off the back of scrum-half Jake Gordon’s commitment to the Waratahs for the next two years.

NRL star Joseph Suaalii has also signed a mammoth deal with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs and will make the code switch in October 2024.

It’s pleasing news for Wallabies boss Eddie Jones with Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Gibbon, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Lonergan, Langi Gleeson, Jed Holloway, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini and Ryan Lonergan re-signed until at least 2025.

Big Red heads to Japan, Du Toit to return to South Africa?

Blues utility forward Tom Robinson is set to leave the Super Rugby side at the end of the season.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Robinson has signed with Steve Hansen’s Toyota Verblitz in the Japan Rugby League One and will link up with the club in 2024.

Robinson is a fans’ favourite at the Blues, and while he is not a regular starter for the side, his departure will certainly sting.

It is not yet confirmed, but Robinson could be on his way to the Japanese outfit to replace Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit. The World Cup winner’s contract with Toyota Verblitz expires at the end of the current season.

The Blues’ forward, like Du Toit, is comfortable in the second-row and at blindside flank.

A report in December stated that du Toit could rejoin the Stormers after the Japanese Rugby League One season. A third party is set to cover a portion of his salary.

Meanwhile, England have announced that Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones will join Steve Borthwick’s coaching staff next year.

READ MORE: Frans Steyn: Springboks veteran’s Rugby World Cup hopes hang in the balance after surgery

Australia Len Ikitau

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