Wednesday’s rugby news has the Reds not panicking, the Brumbies considering an SOS, a brutal loss for the Aussie Sevens and changes to the Scottish team to face France.
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Reds stay positive
Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham believes that, despite last weekend’s devastating 32-5 loss to the Waratahs, the team does not need an overhaul. ‘You have a loss, [but] it’s not time to panic and throw everything out,’ he said. Graham insisted that the team will not change tactics for their upcoming match against the Cheetahs.
Unfortunately the team will have to make five changes to the side largely because of injury. Hooker Saia Fainga’a and prop James Slipper have both being sidelined with corks, replaced in the front row by James Hanson and Ben Daley. Lachie Turner (knee) has been replaced by Rod Davies on the wing, while Mike Harris and Chris Feauai-Sautia have been named in the centres ahead of Anthony Fainga’a and Ben Tapuai. [/one_half]
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Brumbies consider contingency plans
With the status of David Pocock’s knee still uncertain, the Brumbies have been urged to send another SOS to Australian legend George Smith as an injury replacement. Smith was a revelation last year in the ACT back-row and his manager admitted the 33-year-old would always consider helping the Brumbies if they ‘desperately need him.’ The former Wallaby will spend the coming months in Australia after ending his Japanese career with Suntory Sungoliath and preparing to embark on a two year contract with Lyon in September.
Pocock’s knee scans completed yesterday were ‘inconclusive’ and he will consult team doctor Peter Myers to determine whether his knee will require more surgery. [/one_half]
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Sevens unlucky in Las Vegas
Australia’s Sevens team have been beaten on the bell by Samoa in an agonisingly close quarter-final in the Las Vegas leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series. After showing impressive form to beat Scotland comfortably 26-7 earlier in the day, Australia worked their way to a 10-5 lead with just seconds remaining. Unfortunately a late try to Samoa’s Lio Lolo saw Samoa victorious 12-10.
‘I thought we did (play well),’ said Mick O’Connor. ‘Just our inability to convert any of our tries hurt us and our re-start defence.’ Australia will now face Argentina in the semi-final of the plate on Sunday. . [/one_half]
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Scotland shuffle forward pack
Scotland coach Scott Johnson has made sweeping changes to the team’s forward pack to face France in Saturday’s Six nations match. Most notably, Scotland skipper Kelly Brown has been recalled to the side, starting in place of Chris Fusario. Brown was dramatically dropped after his part in the humiliating 20-0 loss to England last month and missed the team’s recent 21-0 win over Italy.
The other alterations see Geoff Cross rewarded for his strong contribution off the bench against Italy, with the starting spot at tighthead prop and David Denton enlisted for the back-row in place of Ryan Wilson who has been laid low by a tonsillitis bug over the last few days.
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