The 36-year-old is eager to move into coaching after hanging up his gloves, with there not too many others to have made that transition

Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and current Wolves manager Nuno are providing inspiration for Lee Grant as the experienced goalkeeper plots a career change.

At 36 years of age, a man currently on the books at Old Trafford is approaching the end of his playing days.

He acknowledges as much and is already starting to piece together plans for when the day comes to hang up his gloves.

Grant is eager to get into coaching and buck the trend when it comes to shot-stoppers making a successful transition from a life between the sticks to that in the dugout.

“It is strange that you don’t see a huge amount of goalkeepers making it into top-level management,” Grant told United’s official website.

“Yes, Jose Mourinho played in goal and Mike Walker the old Norwich manager. The Wolves manager Nuno – he was a goalkeeper. Kevin Blackwell. There have been a few. But, obviously, the Wolves boss, Nuno, is probably a shining example of it in this day and age. A goalkeeper turned head coach. So, obviously, that’s a path I wouldn’t mind following.

“Us goalkeepers are a bit more difficult as, to be a goalkeeper coach, you have to have your goalkeeping badges as well. For me, it’s something I would want to do naturally anyway, coaching and management, and I mean the whole team, as it’s something I’ve really had my eye on.”

While expressing a desire to prolong his association with football once heading into retirement, Grant admits that he has not always sought to head down such a career path.

He added: “Strangely, in the earlier part of my career, coaching was something I was always dead against.

“I could never see myself in that role whereas, as I got to 26 or 27, my views changed on that dramatically.

“I’m completely the opposite now. It’s something I’m really looking forward to getting into and, hopefully, management at some stage. I’d really love to be part of a coaching team and, as I say, eventually lead a team. That would be the ideal scenario for me.

“I think something changed when I went back to Derby for the second time. I was working with Steve McClaren and I just saw the way he worked. I actually saw, first hand how a change in manager can have such a dramatic impact on a football club, and on a team of players. It really opened my eyes to it. So getting an opportunity to do that in the future, I’m really looking forward to that moment.

“I’ve had some excellent role models. For me, though, you learn just as much from the ones you don’t necessarily agree with, the ones you don’t see eye-to-eye with, or the ones whose methods you don’t like. You learn as much from those as you do from the ones you’ve really enjoyed working with, the ones you’ve studied and the ones you trust and believe in.

“So there is lots to learn and I am trying to pick up as much as I can. I feel like I’m in a wonderful position to do that at the football club I am at, at the moment.”

Grant is currently third-choice keeper at United behind David de Gea and Sergio Romero.

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Round three of Super Rugby is here and the Reds, Rebels and Brumbies will be in action with the Waratahs on a bye.

Take a look at everything you need to know about the third round, including times and teams and television scheduling.

SCHEDULE

All times AEDT.

Friday March 1

5pm – FOX SPORTS coverage commences with “Kick-Off”, with Lou Ransome, Sean Maloney, Drew Mitchell and Stephen Hoiles 

5:35pm – Hurricanes vs Brumbies, Palmerston North, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO

7:45pm – Rebels vs Highlanders, AAMI Park, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO

7.30pm – FOX SPORTS coverage continues with “Kick On”

Saturday March 2

3pm – FOX SPORTS begins “Super Saturday” coverage, with host Nick McArdle.

5:35pm – Chiefs vs Sunwolves, Waikato, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO

7:45pm – Reds vs Crusaders, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO

Sunday March 3

12.05am – Lions vs Bulls, Emirates Park, Johannesburg, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports

2.15am – Sharks vs Stormers, Kings Park, Durban, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports

8.40am – Jaguares v Blues , Buenos Aires, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo Sports

Bye –Waratahs 

Hurricanes vs Brumbies

TEAMS

Hurricanes to play Brumbies

Chris Eves, Dane Coles, Ben May, James Blackwell, Liam Mitchell, Vaea Fifita, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam, Ngani laumape, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Chase Tiatia. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Reed Prinsep,  Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Wes Goosen

Brumbies to play Hurricanes

Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Blake Enever, Pete Samu, David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey, Joe Powell, Christian Lealiifano, Chance Peni, Irae Simone, Tevita Kuridrani, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks. Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, James Slipper, Leslie Leauluaialii-Makin, Darcy Swain, Tom Cusack, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Tom Wright.

REFEREES

Referee:  Nick Briant

Assistant Ref 1: Federico Anselmi

Assistant Ref 2:  Nick Hogan

TMO :  Aaron Paterson

ODDS

Courtesy of Bet365

Hurricanes $1.22

Brumbies $4.35

REBELS vs HIGHLANDERS

TEAMS

Tetera Faulkner, Anaru Rangi, Sam Talakai, Luke Jones, Matt Philip, Angus Cottrell, Brad Wilkin, Isi Naisarani, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Billy Meakes, Tom English, Jack Maddocks, Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: Robbie Abel, Matt Gibbon, Jermaine Ainsley, Adam Coleman, Richard Hardwick, Rob Leota, Michael Ruru, Reece Hodge

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Highlanders to face Rebels

Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ash Dixon, Siate Tokolahi, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Bryn Gatland, Josh McKay, Teihorangi Walden, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Waisake Naholo, Josh Ioane. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tom Franklin, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Patelesio Tomkinson, Marty Banks

REFEREES

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Assistant Ref 1: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Ref 2:  Damon Murphy

TMO :  Ian Smith

ODDS

Rebels – $1.78

Highlanders – $2.05

CHIEFS vs SUNWOLVES

TEAMS

Chiefs to play Sunwolves

Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Taleni Seu, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Orbyn Leger, Tumua Manu, Sean Wainui, Shaun Stevenson. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Tevita Mafileo, Sosefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola

Sunwolves to play Chiefs

Pauliasi Manu, Atsushi Sakate, Hiroshi Yamashita, Luke Thompson, Uwe Helu, Hendrik Tui, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, Kaito Shigeno, Hayden Parker, Jamie Henry, Michael Little, Shane Gates, Jason Emery. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Sam Prattley, Asaeli Ai Valu, Tom Rowe, James Moore, Jamie Booth, Phil Burleigh, Rikiya Matsuda

REFEREES

Referee: Federico Anselmi

Assistant Ref 1: Nick Briant

Assistant Ref 2:  Dan Waenga

TMO: Shane McDermott

ODDS

Chiefs $1.03

Sunwolves $12.00

REDS vs CRUSADERS

TEAMS

Reds to play Crusaders

Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Sefa Naivalu, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Bryce Hegarty, Reserves: Alex Mafi, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Caleb Timu, Scott Higginbotham, Tate McDermott, Duncan Paia’aua, Isaac Lucas

Crusaders to play Reds

Joe Moody, Andrew Makalio, Owen Franks, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Tom Sanders, Matt Todd, Whetu Douglas, Mitch Drummond, Richie Mounga, George Bride, Tim Bateman, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Will Jordan. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Harry Allan, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Hunt, David Havili.

REFEREES

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Ref 1: AJ Jacobs

Assistant Ref 2: Damon Murphy

TMO: George Ayoub

ODDS

Reds $5.00

Crusaders $1.17

LIONS vs BULLS

TEAMS

Lions to play Bulls

Dylan Smith, Malcolm Marx, Carlu Sadie, Rhyno Herbst, Stephan Lewies, Kwagga Smith, Marnus Schoeman, Hacjivah Dayimani, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Harold Vorster, Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck, Andries Coetzee. Reserves: Pieter Jansen, Sti Sithole, Frans van Wyk, Robert Kruger, Vincent Tshituka, Ross Cronje, Franco Naude, Courtnall Skosan.

Bulls to play Lions

Lizo Gqoboka, Schalk Brits, Trevor Nyakane, Jason Jenkins, Eli Snyman, Ruan Steenkamp, Hanro Liebenberg, Duane Vermuelen, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Rosko Specman, Dylan Sage, Jesse Kriel, Cornal Hendricks, Warrick Gelant, Reserves: Corniel Els, Simphiwe Matanzima, Dayan van der Westhuizen, Jannes Kirsten, Tim Agaba, Ivan van Zyl, Manie Libbok, Divan Rossouw

REFEREES

Referee: Paul Williams

Assistant Ref 1: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant Ref 2: Griffon Colby

TMO: Marius Jonker

ODDS

Lions $1.38 

Bulls $3.10

SHARKS vs STORMERS

TEAMS

Sharks to play Stormers

Tendai Mtawarira, Akker van der Merwe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Hyron Andrews, Ruan Botha, Jacques Vermeulen, Tyler Paul, Daniel du Preez, Louis Schreuder (C), Robert du Preez, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Lukhanyo Am, Sbu Nkosi, Aphelele Fassi, Reserves: Kerron van Vuuren, Juan Schoeman, Thomas du Toit, Gideon Koegelenberg, Phepsi Buthelezi, Cameron Wright, Jeremy Ward, Curwin Bosch

Stormers to play Sharks

Ali Vermaak, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, JD Shickerling, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sikhumbuzo NOtshe, Herschel Jantjies, Jean-Luc du Plesis, SP marais, Damian de Allende, Dan du Plessis, Sergeal Petersen, Damian Willemse. Reserves: Scarra Ntubeni, Corne Fourie, Wilco Louw, Chris van Zyl, Jaco Coetzee, Justin Phillips, Ruhan Nel, Dillyn Leyds

REFEREES

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Assistant Ref 1: Egon Seconds

Assistant Ref 2: Divan Uys

TMO: Willie Vos

ODDS

Sharks $1.42

Stormers $2.90

JAGUARES vs BLUES

TEAMS

Jaguares to play Blues

Mayco Vivas, Agustin Creevy, Santiago Medrano, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio, Tomas Cubelli, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy, Juan Cruz Mallia. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Enrique Pieretti, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Martin Landajo, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Joaquin Tuculet

Blues to play Jaguares

Alex Hodgman, James Parsons, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Augustine Pulu, Otere Black, Rieko Ioane, Maa Nonu TJ Falane, Tanielu Telea, Melani Nanai. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Karl Tuinukuafe, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Matich, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, Sonny Bill Williams

REFEREES

Referee:Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser

Assistant Ref 2: Brendon Pickerill

TMO: Santiago Borsani

ODDS

Jaguares $1.72

Blues $2.15

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar believes the side’s strong recent record in Africa will see them past the Stormers in Cape Town.

The 3-5 Brumbies endured a sluggish start to the Super Rugby season but kicked their campaign alive with a thumping win against the Lions last week.

They must on Saturday take down another South African powerhouse to keep the momentum going, but this time on the road.

They’ll then travel to Argentina to face the Jaguares, but McKellar said his team had proven travel doesn’t faze them.

“It’s a tough place to win but we’ve won here plenty of times before, we won a quarterfinal here (in 2015) and toured well last year,” McKellar said.

“We beat the Bulls in Pretoria and we were in front against the Lions before we got a red and yellow card. The year previous to that we won in South Africa and beat the Jags on the road as well.

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“It’s a tough challenge touring, but obviously travel doesn’t scare us.”

The 4-4 Stormers return to Newlands with plenty of confidence after taking down the Australian Conference-leading Rebels in Melbourne last week.

The Stormers boast one of the burliest packs in Super Rugby but McKellar still opted for a 3-5 bench and backed his forwards to muscle up.

“They are a big side with a good scrum and maul, so we’ll have to front up physically and make sure that we are dominating the collisions where possible and defend well,” McKellar said.

“Hopefully we can create some opportunities in attack and when you get them you’ve got to take them.”

Brumbies flanker David Pocock (calf) will miss his fifth straight game but McKellar was confident he’d play against the Jaguares.

The Reds have been left to lament what might have been after failing to treasure the ball in their 32-17 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.

Striving for their first win in South Africa since 2015, the Reds came up against a wounded Bulls outfit determined to rebound from a nail-biting home loss to the Jaguares.

And while they opened the scoring through an early penalty goal, there was little other reward for the Reds in the opening half, with the Bulls controlling possession and field position.

“It was a tough game to watch,” Reds coach Brad Thorn said.

“Credit to the Bulls, they’ve had some tough weeks, so that’s a good win for them and they did some good stuff out there tonight.

“For us it was very frustrating.

“You can’t win games of footy when you’re turning over the ball that much.

“In the first half I thought we were lucky to be 10 points behind, we hardly had any footy.
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“Second half was slightly improved but we still didn’t look after that footy.”

While Handre Pollard became the first Super Rugby player this season to score 100 points, the Reds remained in touch at the break after he missed two first-half conversions.

But they were immediately on the back foot when Pollard raced over to score within a minute of the re-start, converting his try to extend the Bulls’ lead to 20-3 and making the Reds’ mission even more difficult.

The Reds built into the game though and when Samu Kerevi scored the first of his two tries in the 57th minute, the margin was back to just 10 points and the Reds had a sniff.

Having been over-run by the Jaguares just a week earlier, the Bulls would have been nervous but the Reds could not maintain enough possession to build pressure.

“At halftime it was on us, if we could pull ourselves together and get our stuff going, we could have a competitive game and an opportunity to win the game,” Thorn said.

“But you’ve got to treasure that ball, you’ve got to look after it.

“At the breakdown, there were quite a few turnovers and messy ball, it was frustrating.

“The Bulls just looked after things better than we did and created some opportunities and they did have some errors as well, which is frustrating as a visiting team.

“There were some opportunities there for us if we were clinical and build our game.

“Every game’s tough in Super Rugby and if you turn up off your game, you get beat – especially coming to Pretoria.”

The Bulls pushed the margin out again with tries to Hanro Liebenberg and winger Jade Stighling in the six minutes after Kerevi’s effort and while the Queensland captain scored again in the 68th minute, it was too little, too late from the Reds.

“There were a few tries in the last 20 (minutes) that (were poor),” Thorn said.

“The bench generally come on for us and add something but it was just a really disappointing night.”

The Reds head to Durban to face the Sharks on Saturday.

RESULT

Bulls 32

Tries: Gqoboka, van Staden, Pollard, Liebenberg, Stighling

Cons: Pollard 2

Pens: Pollard

Reds 17

Tries: Kerevi 2

Cons: Hegarty 2

Pens: Hegarty

Matt To’omua will start off the bench for his Rebels debut after Quade Cooper passed concussion tests and was named at no.10 for Friday’s clash against the Bulls in Melbourne.

To’omua has been named at no.23 in coach Dave Wessels’ squad to face the Bulls at AAMI Park on Friday night but Melbourne will be without backrowers Luke Jones and Isi Naisarani, who are both battling injury.

Jones has a fracture in his eye socket and Naisarani has an injured toe.

Wessels said he was thankful to Leicester for releasing To’omua, who can’t play in the finals but can take pressure of Cooper having to play every minute as they battle for the Australian conference win and a place in the Super Rugby finals.

“As we build to the back end of the season, being able to relieve some pressure off Quade having to play every single minute is very helpful,” Wessels said.

“Matt’s got the opportunity to come off the bench and make an impression and we’ll take it from there.”

To’omua arrived in Australia a week early after the Rebels sent an SOS following Cooper’s concussion, suffered against the Reds last week.

“He was coming next week anyway, so it’s only a couple of days early but when Quade went down, right after the game we weren’t sure how he’d pull up and thankfully Leicester were very accommodating and understanding of where we were at,” Wessels said.

“It happened pretty quickly but it’s nice to have him.”

But Wessels will not pigeon-hole To’omua as simply Cooper’s back-up.

“He’s played a fair bit of 12 and he’s played a bit of 15 as well at Leicester,” he said.

“That nature of Super Rugby is that you need a strong squad and if you think how our squad’s progressed over the last 18 months and how we’re building … there’s a lot of really positive things happening.

“One thing I’ve learnt in my career is better players make better coaches, so we try and get the best players that we can and we’re delighted that those players want to come and play in Melbourne.”

Naisarani has an injured toe and could miss the next fortnight, although Wessels described the break as a “blessing in disguise” for the workhorse.

“He probably needs a bit of a break anyway, although he’s been playing really well for us,” Wessels said. “We’re lucky that we’ve got some depth in the back five in the scrum.”

Jones has a hairline fracture in his eye socket, a problem that initially went undiagnosed post-match.

“He didn’t realise he did it until he blew his nose and it swelled up a bit,” said Wessels, confirming his backrower could also miss two weeks.

“But Ross Haylett-Petty was excellent last week, he played with a lot of intensity and seemed to be really enjoying his game and we all know what a soldier Matt Philip has been for us this year.

“Both of those guys are covering us at lock pretty well and it’s great to have Sam Jeffries back from injury.

“We’re lucky to have Dickie Hardwick back, who’s a Wallaby. He’s been a bit unlucky with injury this year but I thought he was excellent against the Waratahs when we played and then unfortunately bumped his ankle in training. But he was really good off the bench last week.

“And in Robbie (Leota) and Gus (Cottrell), we get some great go-forward from Robbie and a huge workrate, as always, from Gus.”

The Rebels take on the Bulls at AAMI Park on Friday, May 16, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au radio.

TEAMS

Rebels to face Bulls

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1. Tetera Faulkner

2. Anaru Rangi

3. Jermaine Ainsley

4. Ross Haylett-Petty

5. Matt Philip

6. Angus Cottrell (vc)

7. Richard Hardwick

8. Rob Leota

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Billy Meakes

13. Reece Hodge

14. Jack Maddocks

15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c)

Reserves:

16. Hugh Roach

17. Matt Gibbon

18. Sam Talakai

19. Sam Jeffries

20. Pone Fa’amausili

21. Michael Ruru

22. Campbell Magnay

23. Matt To’omua

Their highlight as a halves pairing may have come nearly eight years ago when they helped the Reds to a Super Rugby title but Will Genia says he has never lowered his expectations of Quade Cooper as the pair head back to Suncorp Stadium to do battle with Queensland.

After being rested from the second leg of the Rebels’ tour of South Africa, Genia said he was “jumping out of my skin” to play this week.

And while he insists his sole focus is helping the Rebels bounce back after their winless South African tour, Genia knows the spotlight will be on his and Cooper’s return to their old stomping ground.

Genia made his return against the Reds in the opening round of Super Rugby last year.

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But he missed the Rebels’ game at Suncorp Stadium and while he insists it’s not a focus for him or Cooper, he understands the attention that will come their way.

“I played them here in round one last year and it was a really good contest, I missed out on the game at Suncorp last year but I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“It’s obviously a place that’s had really good memories for me on a personal level and being part of a winning Queensland Reds team but that chapter’s closed and it’s all about working hard this week to make sure that we get a result for this club and this organisation and the group.”

Genia remains popular in his home state and he believes Cooper will also receive a favourable reception from fans.

“At the end of the day he didn’t leave on bad terms with the Queensland public and the Reds fans,” he said of the mercurial flyhalf.

“His focus hasn’t been on what it’s going to be like and personal battles and who he’s coming up against.

“It’s just a case of him doing his job within our team to make sure we get a result so that we bounce back positively from our tour in South Africa.”

Unwanted by Reds coach Brad Thorn, Cooper played a full season of club rugby last year but has reignited his career with the Rebels, with his Super Rugby form surprising many given his sabbatical.

It came as no shock to Genia though.

“I hold him in pretty high regard. I never lowered my expectations in terms of what he brings to the game and a team on and off the field,” he said.

“I’ve just been so grateful to have the opportunity to play with him again and see the impact that he’s had on the group – not only on the field but off the field.

“He’s got so much knowledge and understanding of how to play the game and his impact on the  field in terms of how we want to play – his communication, his organisation, he’s added so much value to the group.”

There’s no doubt Cooper would love to celebrate a win on Saturday but Genia said his mate had not had the date circled on the calendar.

“If it is something different, I haven’t noticed it,” he said of Cooper’s preparation for his Queensland return.

“He’s brought the same intensity, the same work ethic, the same qualities that he brings to each and every session every week.”

Having played with and against each other since they were 15-year-old schoolboys, Genia and Cooper know each other’s game inside out.

“It’s (a relationship) built on respect – he respects how I see the game, I respect how he sees the game.

“So if he makes a decision, I back it; if I make a decision, he backs it.

“And the nature of the way we want to play the game, a lot of the direction comes from the nine and 10, so I guess in term of that leadership, we try to drive the game and how we want to play.”

The clash against the Reds is looming as a good test given the similarities between the clubs’ playing styles.

“We probably play a similar brand of footy to be honest,” Genia said.

“They obviously have slight differences in the way they approach the game based on their personnel.

“But knowing (Reds attack coach) Jimmy Mackay having worked with him when I was at the Reds all those years ago, he likes to play an attacking brad of footy where they move the ball quickly and they play at pace.

“It was quite good to watch in patches when they played the Brumbies last week.”

The Rebels take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, on Saturday, March 30, at 7:45pm AEDT (6:45pm local), LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

UPDATED: Waratahs centre Adam Ashley-Cooper says he and centre partner Karmichael Hunt will be ready for a bruising encounter against the Sharks.

The Waratahs have beefed up their team for the clash with Tolu Latu returning to the bench and no. 6 Lachie Swinton taking Will Miller’s spot on the pine.

Winger Curtis Rona is set to start ahead of Alex Newsome for the match, in the only change to the starting team.

It’s not just the forwards, that will have to front up against the Sharks, Ashley-Cooper said.

“it’s about stopping their momentum. They’re a gainline-focused team, they’re a team full of big athletes, big bodies and a lot of attacking threats, particularly in that back three,” he said.

“So for us, defensively got a huge job but again it’s a matter of stopping their momentum.

“That’s the job we’ve been given, so hopefully we can do that and perform well at.”

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Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said Latu’s strengths around the park, particularly over the ball, would be a handy addition for his side.

“He gives us a bit more ball carry, he’s a bigger man,” he said.

“Certainly scrummaging-wise he adds extra weight and technique but we’re really looking for him around the park.

“I think that’s where he can really add to us. We’re not an incredibly big side, and to have someone who can carry the ball for us will be a real bonus.”

Kurtley Beale looked right at home at fullback and Ashley-Cooper said he brought a new dimension to the team playing at 15, with Israel Folau’s absence forcing a backline reshuffle.

“He’s very comfortable back there and he adds a whole new attacking element to our team,” he said.

“He brings a really good kicking game, his vision’s the best in the game so we’ve got to play to those strengths and make sure we’re injecting him in the game as much as we can.”

The Rebels peppered Beale with high balls at the SCG but the fullback generally coped well.

Ashley-Cooper said he was confident the NSW back three could stand up to the pressure if the Sharks decided to follow the Rebels’ blueprint.

“In a way but we’re ready for that,” he said.

“Anyone in the back three is preparing for high ball attack, so as long as we do our job in that role and we’re accurate and we execute and we catch the ball, it’ll be fine.

Both the Sharks and Waratahs have been inconsistent this season – the Sharks thrashed the Lions in Johannesburg before conceding two home matches in as many weeks, while NSW have battled to string together consecutive wins.

This weekend’s match shapes as a pivotal opportunity for the teams in the overall log and their individual conference standings.

“Any team that can put 40 points on the Lions in Johannesburg, take them very seriously,” Gibson said.

“They’re a side that up until the last two results you’d say they were the form team in Africa.

“The competition for us is at a really interesting stage. The table is very congested, there’s clearly the Crusaders and then there’s the rest of us all battling for spots and positions.”

Sharks coach Robert Du Preez said the absence of Israel Folau wouldn’t make a major difference in their approach to the challenge of facing the Waratahs.

“He’s a fantastic rugby player, he’s world-class but I’m sure the players that will take his place will do well for the Waratahs,” he said.

“They’re a proud team and I’m sure that won’t have a detrimental effect on the way they play.”

Du Preez said they wouldn’t be underestimating the Waratahs pack, coming off a shock loss to the Reds.

“The Rebels are quality team, the Waratahs are quality team,” he said.

“If you’re off your game, five per cent off your game, then you lose games and sometimes by big margins.

“So, we don’t underestimate any of the Aussie teams. We’ve got too much respect for them.”

The Waratahs face the Sharks on Saturday April 27 at Bankwest Stadium, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

TEAM

Waratahs to face the Sharks

1. Harry Johnson-Holmes

2. Damien Fitzpatrick

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Jed Holloway

5. Rob Simmons

6. Jack Dempsey

7. Michael Hooper

8. Michael Wells

9. Jake Gordon

10. Bernard Foley

11. Curtis Rona

12. Karmichael Hunt

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper

14. Cam Clark

15. Kurtley Beale

Reserves

16. Tolu Latu

17. Rory O’Connor

18. Chris Talakai

19. Tom Staniforth

20. Lachie Swinton

21. Nick Phipps

22. Lalakai Foketi

23. Alex Newsome

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16th Sep 2019

While it may not always be the first-choice channel to bring awareness to a cause, in the fashion sphere, sometimes a statement-making red carpet moment is enough to bring much needed attention to charitable efforts.

So if anyone wasn’t already aware of Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief charity—an organisation inspired by the model’s close relationship with her friend and mentor, Nelson Mandela—the eye-catching look she wore for this year’s event certainly brought some much-needed attention to the worthy cause.

In an ultra-sheer, figure-hugging dress by Thierry Mugler, Campbell’s red carpet look for the evening left little to the imagination, with narrow inserts of strategically-placed beaded embroidery and not much else leading us to dub the gown as the naked dress to end all naked dresses.

The semi-sheer Thierry Mugler gown Campbell slipped into for the event's red carpet. Image credit: Getty Images

Following Campbell’s undoubtedly iconic red carpet moment, the model slipped out of the peek-a-boo outfit and into a number of couture pieces for the evening’s runway. Held at the British Museum, the event attracted a number of notable guests, including Alexa Chung, Pierce Brosnan and son Paris, actress Naomie Harris, and models Maria Borges, Adut Akech Bior, and Stella Maxwell.

And not only were a slew of famous faces present on the evening, but leading brands—including Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Iris van Herpen and Tomo Koizumi—also showed their support for the cause by providing looks to be showcased at the evening’s runway.

Campbell herself donned a number of pieces by Valentino, who contributed looks from its latest couture collection, walking in a feather-sleeved, sequin-adorned, technicolour-toned jumpsuit, before changing into a voluminous red ensemble which featured a low-cut neckline and laser-cut cape.

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Campbell's first technicolour Valentino look. Image credit: Getty Images

Campbell's second red, billowy Valentino look. Image credit: Getty Images

Following the show—which, according to The Mirror, concluded with students from the Elmgreen School in South London walking the runway as a way to highlight the cause of this year’s event—the charity’s annual auction got underway, with art and designer items sold to raise money for the Mayor’s Fund for London.

“It’s a privilege to work with the Mayor’s Fund—it’s an independent charity that tackles social inequality,” Campbell told the UK publication. “The problems we seem to see are about education. We are here tonight about education. Education isn’t just a problem for London. It isn’t a problem just for the UK—it’s a problem across the globe.”

The event also saw a number of politically-charged moments, with the opening look of the show featuring in a quilted yellow skirt by Chrome Hearts who, according to WWD, sponsored the show.

The runway's finale, including students from Elmgreen School and Chrome Hearts's quilted spider web skirt. Image credit: Getty Images

“It was just recently that I had the idea for these quilted spider web designs, with the idea that the ‘web’ was a symbol of uniting the world,” Laurie Lynn Stark, co-owner of Chrome Hearts, told the publication. “When I first talked to Naomi about the theme for this year’s show, I knew immediately that these pieces would be a perfect fit.”

Campbell followed suit, stepping out in a statement-making piece for the Fashion for Relief after party, selecting a white leather dress which featured a gunshot-wound design from upcoming designer Mowalola, no doubt making a reference to the growing gun violence epidemic, an issue the model has been vocal about in the past.

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16th Sep 2019

A fledgling designer can look to many places for inspiration. From a book or the pages of a magazine such as , learning the tips and tricks of the trade are all part of the journey into becoming an established, career designer. But, like in every industry, there’s nothing better than learning on the job — or from the people who know best.

Alessi’s annual Design Awards, which have seen the iconic Italian brand partner with Vogue Living yet again for the ultimate up-and-coming Australian design award, could see that dream become a reality. With two categories, Emerging Designer and Established Designer, the award fosters talent from all corners of the Australian design industry, with the two finalists of the Emerging Designer award winning the opportunity to travel to Milan to present their big idea to the in-house team. 

Now, excitingly, a living legend and design icon has joined the judging panel. French designer Philippe Starck has been announced as one of the judges for the Alessi Design Award, and will be personally involved in selecting the final winner. A known figurehead in the industry, Starck’s prowess as an architect and industrial, furniture and lighting designer has seen him work with a slew of much-lauded brands, including Alessi, throughout his impressive career. 

Known within the Alessi family for his unique take on the classic citrus squeezer, Starck designed the ‘Juicy Salif’ in the 1990s as part of the Project Solferino, a working group between Alessi and Francois Burkhardt from the Centre de Creation Industrielle at the Beabourg in Paris. The design was functional and controversial all at the same time, transforming the humble juicer into a staple design object — and becoming one of Alessi’s best-selling products of the era. “He is a living example of my dream: design, real design, is always highly charged with innovation towards the word of manufacturing trade, bringing results that need no longer be justified solely on a technological or balance sheet level,” said Alberto Alessi himself said of Starck’s genius. 

Starck is among an impressive list of designers who have collaborated with Alessi over the years, including Patricia Urquiola, Adam Goodrum and Marc Newson. 

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Tokyo is a city that exists equally in the past as it does in the future, with the balance between traditional and the modern world coexisting side-by-side within its present day metropolis – and the city’s newest hotel, Trunk(House) in Tokyo’s buzzing Kagurazaka neighbourhood, is the perfect reflection of this.

The one-room boutique hotel has been sensitively restored and modernised from a 70-year-old former ryotei and is located in the historic Kagurazaka neighbourhood of Tokyo, affectionately thought of as a “Little Kyoto in Tokyo” because of its stunning shrines and temples, and showcases a truly bespoke hospitality experience.

The aim of the Trunk design team was to create the modern day ‘salon’ – the popular cultural gathering place for writers and philosophers in the 17th and 18th centuries – with a garden, tea room and a private chef on hand to whip up traditional Japanese cuisine.

Trunk founder, Yoshitaka Nojiri and the Trunk design team have completed extensive restoration work on the exterior, as well as a full renovation of the interior space in order to craft a masterful townhouse environment that offers travellers a dynamic and immersive hospitality experience in Tokyo. It is crafted around just one room, with living spaces designed around a more minimalist, artisan aesthetic.

The combination of contemporary and traditional styles are apparent through the traditional architecture used throughout the building, in particular the wood panelled ceilings and dark terrazzo floors. This intersects with the more contemporary attributes of the hotel with the use of marble countertops and custom furnishings made by Trunk’s in-house design team and Tripster; a Tokyo-based interior design studio.

Each object had been carefully chosen or custom-made especially for the hotel. The living room features a 1950 Jean Prouvé Potence wall lamp and a Serge Mouille Lampadaire light. They stand next to the metal-framed leather sofas that are set beside a low coffee table, both made by Stephen Kenn, a Los Angeles based furniture designer.

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Each artwork in the hotel had been commissioned by a group of international artists, tasked with creating unique artworks to best reflect the hotel’s ‘Tokyo-ness’. One hangs above the master bed, a beautifully contemporary work created by American artist Alex Dodge that was inspired by the traditional Geishas that once resided there 70 years beforehand.

One of the more interesting focal points of the hotel is the the disco room, a bright-red room complete with a glittering disco ball and illuminated dance floor — said to be the smallest nightclub within Japan.

The Trunk(House) is the newest addition to the Trunk luxury design hotel concept in Japan. The Kagurazaka house encompasses the ever-changing landscape of Tokyo’s cultural and architectural identity with a mixture of tradition and modernity. The property sleeps up to four guests, whilst the dining room, living room and disco can also be used to privately and host up to 30 people for cocktails or buffet-style parties.

Visit: trunk-house.com