Wednesday’s rugby news has a switch for Israel Folau on the cards, Will Genia out for this weekend, Sam Warburton ruled out and Dan Carter takes legal action.
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Folau Switch on the Cards
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says a midfield switch for Folau is possible following an injury to Samu Kerevi but maintains his best position is fullback.
“It’s always fullback, for mine,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean that I can’t, last week we played him up in the front line a bit as a different type of threat and then we could pull him back and do something different this week.
“The thing is it’s not about what’s his best position it’s how he can play his best every game, because for us once we get out of the set piece we’ve got some very clear roles and no matter whether he was playing 13 or 15, his role would be the same after that anyway.
“So, I think it’s nice for people to speculate over that, it creates interest in the game but at the end of the day it’s more about him fulfilling and going beyond his potential.”
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Genia Unavailable
Will Genia will be unavailable for this weekend’s test match against Wales after his French club, Stade Francais, refused to release him.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika made a request for Genia to Stade Francais president to use him for the match against Wales but it was denied.
The match falls outside the World Rugby international window so clubs have the right to refuse releasing players for international duties.
Nick Phipps will now likely start at halfback with Nick Frisby on the bench.
Genia played his first match for Stade Francais in 10 months last weekend where they won 25-19 over Lyon.
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Warburton Ruled Out
Wales captain Sam Warburton has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash against the Wallabies after failing to recover from an ongoing neck injury.
Justin Tipuric is set to replace Warburton in the backrow.
“Sam is going back to the (Cardiff) Blues to get some game time under his belt,” Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said.
“Obviously he hasn’t had much game time. We’re very fortunate to have someone like Tips (Tipuric), who has been playing well. Sam’s our captain but we’ll play as well as we can without him.
“Our defensive system is very reliant on people having speed and Tipuric really helps our line speed when he plays.”
Meanwhile, lock Alun Wyn Jones will also not be considered for selection against the Wallabies this weekend following the death of his father.
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Carter Takes Legal Action
Dan Carter, Joe Rokocoko and Argentinian winger Juan Imhoff are set to take their case to the public prosecutor after confidential medical records were made public by the media.
The trio were all cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the medical commission of the French Rugby Federation.
Racing 92 said in a statement that the players had decided to take legal action “in order to shine light on how their medical confidentiality was breached.”
“After totally justified medical treatment dispensed conforming to the rules, three Racing players saw their medical confidentiality breached when details were reported by the media.
“This serious and evident violation must not create any future difficulty for anyone wishing to work securely and transparently with the relevant anti-doping institutions.”
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