Wednesday’s rugby news has a new halves pairing, Moore taking a tough line, Carter stepping up and Kieran Read still suffering concussion.
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Wallabies switch 9 and 10
Ewen McKenzie has named a new halves pairing to play the first Test against France, with starters Nic White and Bernard Foley set to step out of the shadow of Test regulars Will Genia and Quade Cooper. Number 10 Foley was picked above teammate Kurtley Beale and will also take main responsibility for the goalkicking.
Meanwhile, Nic White will be starting his first match since his two game stint replacing Will Genia during the Rugby Championship last year. “Since then I’ve worked on being able to read the game and I think I’ve found the balance. I learnt the hard way, but it’s a lesson I had to have,” White said. [/one_half]
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Moore demands hard-line stance
New captain Stephen Moore has reiterated his hopes for the establishment of a hard-line professional attitude, speaking out against off-field incidents which hampered the team’s performances last year. “It (2013) was a tough period, there’s no doubt,” Moore said. “We had to deal with some off-field issues and that was a real challenge for the group but I think we have started this season with a fresh mentality.”
The new captain spoke out against the 4am Burger King night of James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale as “unacceptable” along with the infamous axing of six Wallabies in Dublin last November. [/one_half]
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Carter surprised at call-up
Wallabies bolter Sam Carter has said that he was shocked when he was informed of his Test inclusion against France. Ewen McKenzie surprised many by choosing the 24 year-old Brumby in a starting spot ahead of the heavily tipped Waratahs lock Will Skelton as well as former captain James Horwill.
“I was focusing on the line-outs with Bladesy (set-piece coach Andrew Blades) and, as soon as I was told, I completely forgot what I was talking about,” Carter said. McKenzie says Carter’s workrate and defensive qualities will be crucial in an anticipated tough forward battle against the French. [/one_half]
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Read out of first Test
All Blacks star Kieran Read has been ruled out of the series opener against England on Saturday. The reigning IRB player of the year has been sidelined since April with a concussion and despite a comeback for the Crusaders on Saturday has subsequently suffered a recurrence of the symptoms
“We’re not prepared to risk him playing and that’s our decision, not his, and we’ll progress that day by day,” New Zealand Steve Hansen said of Read’s situation. Hansen now has a choice between other impressive loose-forwards Jerome Kaino and Victor Vito, as well as incumbent Liam Messam. [/one_half]
