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Reinach: My 'impossibly hard decision' to leave Saints

By Josh Raisey
Cobus Reinach has admitted leaving Northampton will be difficult (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Departing Northampton scrum-half Cobus Reinach has claimed that “to say this was an impossibly hard decision for us is an understatement” after it was revealed he will be leaving Franklin’s Gardens at the end of this season. 

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The recent World Cup winner arrived at the Saints from Super Rugby’s Sharks and soon became a fan favourite who was pivotal to the team.

However, ever since the won the World Cup with South Africa in November, there has been speculation that he may be joining Montpellier in the Top 14. 

While nothing has been confirmed yet, that move is now expected to go ahead after Reinach revealed on Tuesday he would be leaving the Saints. 

In an Instagram post following the announcement, the 29-year-old revealed the difficulty in this decision, saying: “Some of the best times I’ve had on the field have been while wearing a Saints jersey.” 

(Continue reading below…)

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This is unsurprising, as the scrum-half has been a sensation in lighting up English rugby with his blistering pace. 

Not only has he scored the most Gallagher Premiership tries since his move to England, but his form last season earned him a recall to the South Africa squad after a four-year exile which led to him being part of the RWC-winning team. 

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With only eight rounds of the Gallagher Premiership played so far and still another round of pool stage action in the Heineken Champions Cup, Reinach still has a lot of rugby to play with the Saints. 

That is why he also added: “But there is still some rugby to be played and some silverware to be won. I look forward to making every remaining second in the black green and gold count.” 

The Saints are second in the Premiership, only one point behind leaders Exeter Chiefs, and travel to Lyon this weekend in the Champions Cup knowing that a victory would put them in a very good position to qualify for the quarter-finals. 

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It was only last Sunday that the South African once again showed his worth against Benetton by igniting a lacklustre Saints team from the bench, earning three assists in only 25 minutes of play. 

However, this is something Northampton are now used to, and Reinach is determined to have more success in his final months. 

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Jon 11 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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