This weekend, George North put in a virtuoso performance befitting of his exulted status within the game; scoring four tries against the Ospreys in the European Champions Cup.

The former Scarlet exhibited all his strength, power & try scoring instincts, particularly for his last score.

Youtube Credit: weskimaster

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Rhys Webb set the tone for Ospreys 62-13 demolition last weekend with a try of individual brilliance after just a minute of play.

Picking the ball up from the back of a ruck just inside his own half, the scrum half made an incisive run full of conviction, beating several players before touching down.

Ospreys currently top the Pro12 table and, with more moments of magic like this, it is difficult to see them not being there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

Youtube Credit: Ruddy Darter

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Youtube Credit: Pro12 Rugby

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The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Stormers lock DeKock Steenkamp on a three year deal.

A line out specialist with considerable physical attributes, Steenkamp has made forty nine Super Rugby appearances since his debut in 2010. The 27 year old has also represented Western Province fifty nine times in the Currie Cup, claiming a winner’s medal in 2012.

The lock, who stands at 1.97m and weighs 112kg, is excited by the prospect of playing for the Ospreys

“Joining the Ospreys is a great opportunity for me and a challenge that I can’t wait to get stuck into. The Ospreys are a team with a short but proud history having won the PRO12 four times and talking to the coaches there is an exciting transition going on at the moment that will see them come through the next few seasons stronger than ever.

“I want to be a part of that. Looking around the place and talking to people there really made me excited about signing. Hopefully I’ll be able to link up with the squad soon and play a part in helping to make sure the Ospreys remain the best side in Wales as well as one of the best in Europe, ” said Steenkamp.

Andrew Millward, The Ospreys Rugby General Manger mirrored the South African’s sentiments.

“This is a significant signing for the region, one that we’ve been working on for quite some time. We’ve met with De Kock, spoken to him at great length over a period of time and worked hard to get this deal over the line. He has been to Wales to look around the region and get a feel for what we have to offer and undertake his medical, and he is as excited to be moving to the Ospreys as we are to welcome him”.

In total, the Osprey’s have made nine signings to their Senior Squad in advance of the start of the season.

Source of article: www.ospreysrugby.com

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Adam Jones releases his statement about his lucrative move to the Cardiff Blues. 

IT is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, explaining why I am leaving my home region and thanking you all for your support over the years.
I don’t say that glibly. Every player goes through bad times as well as good during his career, and the brilliant thing about Ospreys’ supporters is that they have always been there for me when things haven’t been going as well as I might have wanted. I will appreciate that for the rest of my career and beyond. It has been quality all the way.
I’ll cut to the chase and tell you how I have ended up joining the Blues.
As pretty much the whole world and his wife will know by now, I had been waiting for a deal to be struck between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union, over a new participation agreement, so the Ospreys could conclude a fresh contract with me.
I haven’t been getting any money, but I was just hoping that the row that has blighted Welsh rugby for so long could be finally settled and I could pull on the black shirt again.
Then on Sunday morning I received a call from the Blues asking whether I fancied a move there. I had to think long and hard about their proposal because I know all about regional rivalry and how much it matters in Wales.
But my circumstances were such that I didn’t feel I could turn Cardiff down. I haven’t been paid for two months and the season is barely a fortnight away. I need to be properly attached to a team and training with a group of players in readiness for the new campaign.
I couldn’t wait forever. The contract with the Ospreys has been on the table since January but without signatures it meant only so much.
No-one is to blame. Andrew Hore and Steve Tandy have been straight down the line with me throughout the negotiations. They haven’t messed me about and I don’t think I have messed anyone about, either.
Like I say, the region have meant the world to me. I want to thank Mike Cuddy and Roger Blyth for helping to set up the Ospreys in the first place and then doing so much to drive them forward. It has been a privilege to play alongside such great players as Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Filo Tiatia and many others. There have been great times and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime and I count people like Tandy and Andy Lloyd as my best mates as well.
The Ospreys’ result will always be one I look out for before any others.
They are going through a rebuilding phase, but with someone like Alun Wyn there, an immense presence in every respect, I still expect them to be pushing for a play-off place in the Pro12.
There are also a lot of young players at the region who are going to make Welsh rugby sit up and take notice in the years ahead.

But a new chapter starts for me now and I’m just glad I’ll be able to focus on rugby again.
The Blues had a tough season last time but they have made some new signings, have a highly respected director of rugby from New Zealand and are determined to go places. They have beefed up the front five, which was important, and I think Josh Turnbull’s signing in the back row could prove huge for them.
On the negative side I am going to have to put up with Gethin (Jenkins) again. Only kidding. He is a great player and it will be good to figure alongside him and Smiler (Matthew Rees) in the front row.
I am not taking my place for granted, though. The Blues have brought in Craig Mitchell and have depth throughout the front five. I know I will have to hit form quickly if I am to play.
It has been a pleasure to feature for the Ospreys over the years and, as I have said, I sincerely want to register my appreciation to all concerned. The Liberty is a big stadium that is hard to fill, but the fans are brilliant and I hope everyone will understand why I have arrived at my decision.
All the best for the future.

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As per a squad photo tweeted by the Cardiff Blues today, it appears that legendary Welsh prop Adam Jones has swapped the Ospreys for their regional rivals, The Cardiff Blues.

Although advancing in years, Jones is still capable at performing at the highest level and his signing, if and when it is confirmed, will be a major coup for the Blues.

With over 100 caps for Wales and 6 caps for the British and Irish Lions, he is truly a solid player.

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Ngwenya shows his lightning pace

A magnificent virtuoso try in the RWC2007 that even left the great Bryan Habana tackling dust catapulted Zee Ngwenya into world Rugby prominence and the Zimbabwean born USA international has built a career such breathtaking moments of pace.

Another famous example of Ngwenya’s elusive pace and direct running was in the 2010 Heineken Cup Quarter Final against Welsh side, Ospreys.

After a botched scrum attempt by the Ospreys, Biarritz turned the ball over and fed Ngwenya who evaded the attention of, amongst others, Shane Williams to go the length of the pitch to score one of the Heineken Cups’ most famous tries.

Youtube Credit: YOANBTZ64

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Adam Jones will not be joining London Welsh

Contrary to media conjecture, Adam Jones will not be joining big spending newly promoted Premiership Side London Welsh, according to Big Red Management, the agency firm that represents the former Ospreys’ tight-head.

After being released by the Ospreys, Jones-who is rightly regarded as one of the worlds foremost tight-heads- has been linked with a number of clubs, including Toulon, and London Welsh’s coach, Justin Burnell, added to the speculation by expressing his interest in the former Lion.

However, the 33 year won’t be joining Piri Weepu at the Kassam Stadium and his future will become clearer in the coming days, read a tweet on Big Red’s official Twitter feed.

Jones won’t be joining London Welsh.

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