Wednesday’s rugby news has the ARU to review its strategic plan, no expectations for Will Genia, Wallabies moving on from Scotland quarter final and player of the year nominees announced.
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ARU Review
The ARU has committed to a review of its strategic plan following a meeting with representatives from across the game on Tuesday.
The meeting was a result of a number of former Wallabies and coaches expressing their concerns about the ARU’s commitment to grassroots rugby.
ARU chairman Cameron Clyne and former Wallaby Simon Poidevin chaired the meeting which resulted in an agreement for the ARU to examine its policies across the plan which was initially created with input for groups across the Australian rugby community.
Ex-Wallaby Brett Papworth who has been particularly vocal about his criticism about the ARU attended the meeting despite rejecting previous offers to meet with the ARU.
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No Expectations
Will Genia has no expectations about what may happen during the Wallabies Spring tour.
Genia is currently available for the next three Wallaby matches but may be forced to return to Stade Francais for the Wallabies match with England.
“I’m available for three games, that’s all I’ve been told so I’m here for this week, the French week and then Ireland,” he said.
“I’m just doing as I’m told.
“I’m grateful he’s (Stade president Thomas Savare) allowed me to come here and still be part of the group, because we’ve got a couple of injuries at Stade Francais, we’ve only got two available halfbacks.”
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Scotland QF Forgotten
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is not speculating about the emotions surrounding the Wallabies match with Scotland.
The Wallabies controversially won against Scotland in last year’s World Cup Quarter Final.
“It’s hard for me to say because I’m not in their shoes, I’m on the total opposite side,” he said.
“If you looked at us, we we were in the World Cup final over a year ago and then we lost five games in a row so things change and we can see that we’re looking at things more going forward than looking backwards.
“That’s been the approach and that’s the approach we’ll stay with. I try to keep myself exclusively within our team’s mindset.
“Trying to think what the opposition is motivated by is not going to work, not going to do you any good.”
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Player of the Year Nominees
The nominees for World Rugby player of the year have been announced which included three Englishmen, two New Zealanders and one Irishman.
Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje, Beauden Barrett, Dane Coles and Jamie Heaslip were all nominated for the award.
“It’s awesome to see Colesey getting nominated for that,” New Zealand prop Crockett said.
“He has been playing great footy all this year and the last couple of years so it is thoroughly deserved.”
Crockett jokingly added: “He probably gets a little bit more kudos than some of his propping mates!”
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