Tuesday’s top rugby news has O’Connor happy to return to the back three, Nonu making progress, some Rebels playing ITM cup and Wilkinson earning the big bucks.
[one_half last=”no”]
‘Changed’ O’Connor returning to back three
James O’Connor, who endured a difficult three-match experiment at five-eighth during the series loss to the Lions, has been told by new coach Ewen McKenzie that he will be returning to the back three. While happy with the news, O’Connor also realises that there are no guarantees that he will be part of the starting 15 at ANZ stadium. The 37-Test utility faces stiff competition, with Joe Tomane, Israel Folau and Nick Cummins impressing on the wing and Jesse Mogg and Folau in good form at fullback.
In a classic move, O’Connor has also talked up the new attitude he has brought to Wallabies camp, buying into the new culture espoused by McKenzie. ‘It’s not hard to do, it’s just putting the team first,’ said O’Connor of McKenzie’s requirements. Yes, you would think not James. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Nonu nearing match fitness
The All Blacks are confident that pivotal centre Ma’a Nonu will be available for the first Bledisloe Cup match. Nonu’s suspect ankle reportedly came through training without incident on Monday (along with the rest of him). Backs coach Ian Foster has praised the giant centre’s training amongst a contract drama and injury cloud, asserting, ‘His attitude has been outstanding. I think his ability to come in and focus has been outstanding.’
Just in case Nonu does not pass his final fitness test, a full training session today, the All Blacks have brought in Crusader’s midfielder Ryan Crotty as a possible replacement. Coach Steve Hansen saw Crotty as the obvious choice when backup Francis Saili was ruled out with an ankle injury. ‘It’s been more consistency of performance. His core roles he’s done really well. He stepped up and led the team,’ Hansen said. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Rebels to play ITM Cup
The Rebels and the ARU have allowed contracted front rowers Paul Alo-Emile and Toby Smith to play for Waikato in the ITM cup’s upcoming season. The 22-year-old Alo-Emile will join the New Zealand provincial competition this month, returning for the commencement of the Rebels 2014 pre-season in October. ‘This is my third season in a professional Rugby environment,’ said Alo-Emile. ‘I would now like to challenge myself and be ready to be a consistent Super Rugby starter for the Rebels in the 2014 season.’
In other signing news, Edinburgh have pinched more Australian rugby talent, this time signing QLD GPS Old Boys and Australian academy locks Alex and Ben Toolis. ‘They’re both very athletic and mobile, which are important attributes in the modern game,’ said Edinburgh assistant coach, Stevie Scott. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Wilkinson Top 14’s top earner
Despite taking a pay cut this year, Toulon’s Jonny Wilkinson will reportedly still be paid the highest salary in the Top 14. After opting out of retirement earlier this year, Wilkinson is now being payed, $81,608 per month, just edging out new Racing Metro recruit, Irish five-eighth Johnny Sexton who is paid $75,554 per month. French clubs have a €10m ($14.5m) salary cap, which is almost double that of Premiership clubs in England.
But while the league’s top stars continue to benefit, the newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche and the player’s union report that average Top 14 salary – $20,850 in 2012-13 – is likely to decrease by as much as 10-15 per cent. And despite the fact that the salary cap was raised this year, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal (perhaps from experience), has alleged some clubs are manipulating the system through overseas accounts to circumvent spending restrictions. [/one_half]
