Monday’s rugby news has Hooper in the captain mix, more ACT signings, the Tahs looking at a massive new recruit and an England re-call for Cipriani.
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Hooper next Wallaby captain?
With the departure of current skipper Ben Mowen to France at the end of this year, Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis has called for young flanker Michael Hooper to be propelled into the captaincy role. Dennis named the Wallabies openside above other favourites Stephen Moore and past captains James Horwill and Will Genia.
“Not only in the way he’s performed, but the way he’s supported me in my role this year as vice-captain is fantastic. He’s only young and he is going to be around for a long time,” Dennis said of Hooper, the winner of the 2013 John Eales Medallist. [/one_half]
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Lealiifano commits to A.C.T
Wallabies centre Christian Lealiifano has re-signed with the Brumbies until the end of 2016, joining the established halves pairing Nic White and Matt Toomua who signed deals last week. The desire to be part of a new Brumbies dynasty, alike the early 2000s success propelled by Wallabies legends George Gregan, Rod Kafer and Stephen Larkham, was cited as a major factor in rejecting European clubs.
“Looking at those achievements [of past Brumbies legends] and what they did is always something you want to achieve, but we have to build our own,” Lealiifano said, keen to improve on last year’s second place finish. [/one_half]
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Fijian winger impresses Tahs
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has revelaed that he will consider massive Fijian winger Taqele Naiyaravaro as a selection bolter in Sunday’s match against the Lions. Naiyaravaro was lured from the West Tigers last week, running in two tries in Parramatta’s 35-24 loss to Eastwood over the weekend.
The 195cm, 120kg winger may be called up after Peter Betham was ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season with a broken foot. “There are some finer points of playing Super Rugby that we’ll need to address, but, no risk, no reward,” said Cheika. [/one_half]
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Cipriani back in Test team
Former Melbourne Rebel Danny Cipriani will make his long-awaited return for England this week after coach Stuart Lancaster asked for the number 10 to be rested in Sale’s final match of the season. Cipriani’s last England Test was in 2008 but his improved form and somewhat repaired image have earned him a call-up.
Cipriani has also been helped by the unavailability of other English fly-halves with Saracens’ Owen Farrell and Northampton’s Stephen Myler both doubtful for the opening Test with New Zealand because of the Aviva Premiership final. [/one_half]
