Thursday’s top rugby news sees Ioane officially ruled out, Boks coach gives the edge to the Wallabies, Invincibles & Foley free to play
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First Wallabies Invincibles named
Inside Rugby magazine has launched the Invincibles in a move that mirrors their sister publication Rugby League Week’s Immortals. Fifteen judges voted with the qualifying criteria being that the players must be from the post-World War II era and have been retired for at least 5 years. It appears that Randwick is quite the invincible club side, as the first four choices all played for the Galloping Greens. They are Mark Ella, David Campese, Ken Catchpole and Colin Windon. According to Inside Rugby editor Mark Cashman the concept “has created a grand new benchmark for the game and we are delighted to induct four absolute legends of our game”.
The plans for the Invincibles concept will see two more recognised in 2014 with more presumably to follow regularly. Are you guys fans of the Invincibles, or is it a little unnecessary with other avenues already existing to recognise Wallaby greats?
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Boks coach gives Wallabies the edge
According to Sprinboks coach Heyneke Meyer the Wallabies – Lions series will be an incredibly tight one, but he gives a slight edge to the home team. Whilst the Lions are well into a long series of warm-up games, Meyer still believes that the Wallabies will be better prepared come the first test. “In those types of Test matches it is about how you absorb the pressure … one thing about Australia is that they have been playing together as a team with Robbie Deans for about five years” Meyer said.
Comparing the two squads, Meyer believes that the strength of the tourists will be the depth of the touring party, whilst the Wallabies have a number of established combinations in their favour.
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Ioane out of first test
According to Fox Sports and a number of other sources, Digby Ioane is a definite scratching from the first test against the Lions. Whilst the winger is recovering well from his recent knee surgery, there is understandable reluctance to push him back too soon.
The news is not unexpected, but coming just a day after Joe Tomane was also ruled out of the first test, leaves plenty of questions for the make-up of the Wallabies side. Luke Morahan joined the squad yesterday, the Honey Badger will return to full training today and depending on who plays at fullback, Israel Folau could return to the position in which he made his name in Rugby League.
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Foley free to face Lions
After expressing his frustration some weeks ago when Bernard Foley was initially ruled out of the Waratahs match against the British and Irish Lions, Michael Chieka had some relief yesterday. ARU CEO Bill Pulver has stepped in to ensure both the in-form five eighth and his fellow sevens representative Matt Lucas are free to play against the Lions this weekend.
Chieka was understandably appreciative when discussing Pulver’s intervention “I think that’s fair play because he made the call and got us those players back. Foley, in particular, because he is our playmaker, it is good because we will have that little extra zip.” The additions ensure that even without Wallabies squad members Berrick Barnes, Rob Horne, Israel Folau and Adam Ashley-Cooper, the Tahs will still line up with a decent backline on the weekend.
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