Tuesday’s rugby news more financial troubles for the Brumbies, rookie induction, a surprise defeat for Toulon and an angry Italian prop.
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Cheika positive about RWC
Brumbies CEO Doug Edwards has left the Canberra-based franchise after just months in charge, spurred by the ill-health of a business partner in Queensland. Edwards stepped in earlier this year after Andrew Fagan suddenly left to join the ARU and subsequently Adelaide Crows in the AFL.
The news comes at an unfortunate time for the Brumbies, who are still struggling to find a major sponsor for 2015, while the ARU cuts to the Super Rugby Franchises have left a further $500,000 financial hole. The club will reportedly post record losses of $700,000 at their AGM next week.
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Induction day for S15 rookies
23 newly contracted Australian rugby players have participated in the 12th annual Induction camp in Sydney as a core component of RUPA’s Player Development Program (PDP). The Program offers assistance for professional players in many off-field areas, including education, professional training, mental health, career and financial matters.
“Ensuring players understand RUPA’s Player Development Program from the outset will assist them to maximise their potential on and off the field throughout their careers,” RUPA Chief Executive Greg Harris emphasised.
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Toulon suffer surprise loss
Leicester Tigers have handed champions Toulon their first defeat in over a year, winning their match at home 25-21. Despite only scoring one try while Toulon scored twice through wingers Bryan Habana and former Wallaby Drew Mitchell, 20 points from Welsh fly-half Owen Williams gave Leicester the win.
“It’s a great win. It is the best we have probably played for 18 months,” said Leicester’s rugby director Richard Cockerill, who also added, “It will be twice as hard to go there and win next week.”
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Prop criticises Cotterill
After the match, Martin Castrogiovanni sought out journalists and unleashed a five-minute rant on Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill, who had claimed the former Italy prop swapped the Tigers for Toulon in 2013 for financial reasons. “‘I thought f****** Leicester were f****** amateur. I never want to speak with Cockers any more,” said Castrogiovanni, who claimed to have paid 100,000 pounds for a release because he feared a lack of playing time behind fellow prop Dan Cole.
European Professional Club Rugby is also probing allegations that Delon Armitage, the Top 14 team’s full-back, verbally abused spectators as he departed the pitch for half-time
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