Barrett commits to Hurricanes with 2-yr extension

All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett ended speculation concerning his future by signing a two-year contract extension with the Wellington Hurricanes yesterday.

The 23-year-old only signed a 12-month deal last year after reportedly almost joining the Auckland Blues and his move north to John Kirwan’s side was again the topic of discussion last month.

Kirwan knocked back those suggestions last week then signed Ihaia West to a two-year contract earlier this week, virtually ensuring that Barrett would be staying in New Zealand’s capital.

“I’m really happy that I’ve committed to the Hurricanes and look forward to being part of an exciting team for next season,” Barrett said in a Hurricanes’ statement.

“We have a relatively young team here and I really enjoy the role I play within the squad, it’s been great for my overall rugby development.

“While some of our results this year have been a bit up and down, I feel as a team we have improved in what has been a really tight competition and hopefully we have some luck this weekend so we are still in with a chance of making the playoffs.”

Barrett’s performances with the Hurricanes have been the best of his short Super Rugby career and catapulted him into the national discussion as to which player would be the All Blacks starting flyhalf this season.

Aaron Cruden won that battle in last month’s test series against England but Barrett’s development has indicated that Steve Hansen’s All Blacks would have at least three world class flyhalves available for the 2015 World Cup in England.

World leading points scorer Dan Carter has just returned from a six-month sabbatical and will be eager to knock back the challenge from Cruden and Barrett when the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship begins in August.

The Hurricanes have completed their regular season and are fifth in the Super Rugby standings but must wait on games this weekend to find out whether they finish in the top six and make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

The Wellington-based team are on 41 points, with the ACT Brumbies, Western Force and Waikato Chiefs all on 40 points with matches to play this weekend.

Amor unveils England Sevens team for Glasgow

England Sevens head coach Simon Amor yesterday unveiled his squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this month.

The squad includes eight players who will make their Commonwealth Games debuts while John Brake, Dan Norton, Tom Powell and James Rodwell bring the experience of having competed in the 2010 Delhi Games.

Charlie Hayter, who recently signed for England Sevens from Wasps, and London Scottish captain Mark Bright, earn their places after impressing in the first two rounds of the European Grand Prix Series.

Brake and Mike Ellery have both recovered from injuries with Tom Mitchell continuing as captain.

“The squad selected has a very good balance of speed, playmaking ability, physicality and the all-important X-factor,” Amor said.

“With players returning from long-term injuries the competition for places has been particularly strong.

“This has raised the performances in training and the attitude throughout the team has been excellent. We will be looking to bring the experiences and progress made throughout the Sevens World Series to Glasgow.”

Amor also believes the spirit of the Commonwealth Games will spur his side on.

“Being part of the bigger team that is Team England at the Commonwealth Games, is a unique experience in a very different environment from the one the players are used to on the world circuit,” Amor said.

“You feed off other sports’ successes, see other athletes there and the sheer scale of the village and the competition make it a wonderful occasion.”

England are in Pool D at Glasgow with Australia, Sri Lanka and Uganda.

England Sevens squad:

Daniel Bibby, John Brake, Mark Bright, Philip Burgess, Michael Ellery, Charlie Hayter, Christian Lewis-Pratt, Tom Mitchell (captain), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Marcus Watson.

Manly winger Williams banned for betting

Former Australian Test winger David Williams has been suspended for the rest of the season for betting on matches, the National Rugby League said Thursday.

Williams, who plays for Manly Sea Eagles and is known as the ‘Wolfman’, had also been putting money on games in which he was involved, the NRL said.

The 27-year-old was one of five players and several game officials suspended following an investigation by the NRL’s integrity unit.

The NRL also punished Ethan Lowe (North Queensland) and lower graders Cody Nelson (Gold Coast) and Melbourne’s Hymel Hunt and Slade Griffin with two game bans.

The league said the services of three casual game day officials had been terminated while nine others were suspended for the rest of the season for betting breaches.

NRL Chief Operating Officer Jim Doyle said an audit of betting records covering more than 1,500 registered players, officials and staff found no evidence of match-fixing.

“There is no suggestion of match-fixing or inappropriate conduct on the field by those involved, but the Integrity Unit is determined to protect the interests of all players, fans and members,” Doyle said.