1
Dragons cry foul as they concede defeat in battle to keep Wales' Cory Hill
Dragons have just been dealt a massive blow for next season – the loss of Wales second row Cory Hill.
ADVERTISEMENT
With Dean Ryan having shaken things up at Rodney Parade this season, it was hoped that the progress of the Guinness PRO14 outfit would be enough to convince the 2017/18 club captain that his future was best served by sticking with Dragons.
(Continue reading below…)
Rory Best chats to Jim Hamilton in the latest episode of The Lockdown, the new RugbyPass series
However, the Newport-based franchise have confirmed they haven’t been able to convince the 28-year-old to sign a new deal and he will now leave after seven years at the club.
Cardiff Blues is believed to be his destination for 2020/21 and Dragons have called on the Welsh Rugby Union to launch an investigation into the circumstances of the deal that has lured their popular lock away from them.
“We’re disappointed to see Cory depart and everyone at Dragons Rugby wishes Cory well for the future,” said Dean Ryan.
A club statement suggested Hill’s departure wasn’t without acrimony. “Dragons confirm Cory Hill will be leaving the region at the expiration of his current contract after seven seasons at Rodney Parade.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Dragons would like to thank Cory for his contribution in the roles he played as captain and as a player in helping the development of the team on and off the field. Dragons have asked the relevant bodies to look into the circumstances around the move.”
A graduate of the Cardiff Blues academy, Hill made his Wales debut in 2016 and was a mid-tour call-up for the 2017 British and Irish Lions in New Zealand as one of the infamous ‘Geographical Six’.
After scoring the winning try against England in February 2019 Guinness Six Nations match in Cardiff, he was included in Warren Gatland’s World Cup squad but he returned from Japan without featuring after suffering a stress fracture.
Hill resumed action for the Dragons in December and his last outing for the club came in the final group game against Enisei-STM which secured a quarter-final place in the European Challenge Cup.
ADVERTISEMENT
WATCH: Ellis Genge takes on Dragons’ Aston Hewitt in the last 16 of the RugbyPass FIFA 20 charity tournament
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
75 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
75 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
75 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
75 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
75 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments