Today’s Rugby News: Wales Star Suffers Loss of Family During Australia Tour

Here are the rugby morning headlines from Sunday, July 21.

Family loss of Welsh star

Welsh international Mackenzie Martin has suffered a death during Wales’ tour of Australia.

Warren Gatland selected Cardiff Rugby’s number eight as part of his touring team that would take on South Africa, the Wallabies and Queensland Reds.

Martin started the match against the Reds and contributed to Wales’ first win of 2024 with an impressive personal performance, but the 20-year-old from Ely has taken to social media to reveal the sad news.

Martin wrote on Instagram: “Rest in paradise uncle Rob. Like a grandfather to me. One of the strongest fighters I know, I will always remember the constant advice, love and laughter you gave me and others. Love you forever uncles.”

Martin spoke about the importance of family in his life in March of this year. “I’m rough around the edges,” he explained. “Growing up, it wasn’t as easy as you can imagine. But my family has always been amazing. And I’ve learned from them.”

Martin made his debut against Ireland in the Six Nations, and it was not only a surreal moment for him, but he also spoke of the impact it had on his family. “When I came off the field, they were crying,” he said. “When I came home, my family who couldn’t come to Ireland, all of them were crying and stuff. It was emotional.”

The former Mary Immaculate student has now won four caps for Wales and signed a new long-term contract with Cardiff this year.

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Savea signs for Moana Pasifika

Current World Player of the Year Ardie Savea has signed with Moana Pasifika for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season and beyond. The news was first reported by the NZ Herald and later confirmed by both clubs and Savea himself.

The deal would be a three-year commitment to NZR, making Savea eligible for the All Blacks until the end of 2027. The move marks the end of his 11-year spell with the Hurricanes, where he made his debut in 2013 and helped secure a Super Rugby title in 2016.

He will once again team up with his brother Julian, with whom he previously played at the Hurricanes and the All Blacks.

In a statement, Savea expressed his deep respect for his Hurricanes family: “I have enormous respect for my Hurricanes family and have enjoyed serving them for 11 years.” However, he felt it was time for a change, a decision he made after spending much time quietly with his family.

He added: “For this team to show the love and support they have for me and my family is special. Knowing that no matter what happens, they will take care of me and my family means a lot.”

Savea, who is of Samoan descent, is keen to represent his culture and give back to his roots. He said: “It will be great to give back to my heritage and my culture in such a meaningful way.”

His brother Julian has told him that this team was made especially for them, so he can’t wait to get started.

Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee praised Ardie Savea for his significant contribution to the club and wished him all the best for the future with his new team.

“Ardie is a Hurricanes legend and always will be,” Lee said.

“We are all sad to see him go as he has made a huge contribution to our club. On behalf of everyone involved with the Hurricanes we wish him all the best.”

Townsend praises ‘sharp’ Scotland after Chile win

By Anthony Brown, PA

Gregor Townsend praised his experimental Scotland team for coming into their own in the second half after delivering the coup de grace to Chile in Santiago.

The Scots started the third Test of their summer tour of North and South America slowly, but recovered impressively to secure a 52-11 victory, with five of their eight tries coming after the break.

Kyle Rowe scored his first two international tries and Jamie Dobie also contributed with a double, while Josh Bayliss, Matt Currie, Dylan Richardson and Kyle Steyn all passed the whitewash.

“I thought it was a real test match in terms of the atmosphere, the physicality of Chile and the pressure they put on us early on. But I was really pleased with how we responded and how our accuracy improved as the game went on,” said head coach Townsend.

“It was a new team, but they were well-coordinated on the pitch. I thought the communication was very good and in the second half we showed how fit we are.

“I thought we could have played another 10 to 20 minutes. Our players still look very sharp even at the end of the season, which is a compliment.

“The last 60 minutes of the game were satisfying, especially in the second half when we went all out and looked very sharp.”

Townsend was pleased to see six Scotland tries scored by backs as they ended their summer tour with three straight wins after comfortable victories over Canada and the USA.

“Matt Currie made his debut a few weeks ago and today he ran some great lines, one of which was to score a try,” the head coach noted.

“Jamie Dobie was also very sharp on the wing and then played half an hour at scrum half where he looked very busy and physical.

“It was good that our full-backs got more possession in the second half. I think Arron Reed didn’t get the ball in the first half but he was more involved in the second half. It was also good that we left the field with everyone fit.”

Wallabies beat Georgia

Australia survived an early red card to beat Georgia, preventing the European side from overtaking Wales in the world rankings.

The Wallabies won 40-29 to continue Joe Schmidt’s unbeaten start as head coach, with Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight both scoring a brace of tries after winger Filipo Daugunu was sent off for a flying knee to Sandro Todua’s head.

Australia scored four times in the first half to lead 26-10 at half-time. However, with Daugunu out, Davit Niniashvili scored a try to make it 26-17.

Five minutes later, Georgia were down to two points when Aka Tabutsandze fired from his own goal line, recovered the ball and scored a sensational 110-metre try.

Georgia were themselves reduced to 14 with Niniashvili shown a yellow card. The Wallabies scored again shortly after to take a 33-24 lead. McReight’s second try of the afternoon to decide it all settled the match.

Australia will face world champions South Africa in the Rugby Championship on August 10.