Monday’s rugby news has the Tahs guaranteed the minor premiership, a number of key players returning for the must-win Force v Brumbies match and Ma’a Nonu changing teams again.
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ACT and Force welcome back stars
Saturday’s clash between the Force and the Brumbies will decide the finals hopes of both teams, with the winner of the Aussie derby most likely progressing ahead of the Chiefs, currently tied with both teams at sixth spot with 40 points. The Brumbies expect to have Wallabies Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane and Pat McCabe back on deck after injury, along with centre Andrew Smith and hooker Josh Mann-Rea.
The Force look to be almost back to full strength, with halfback Alby Mathewson recovering from a hip injury, Chris Alcock set to play for the first time since a round 7 shoulder injury and Five-eighth Sias Ebersohn reportedly having recovered from a biceps tear. [/one_half]
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Waratahs secure minor premiership
The Waratahs have clinched this year’s Super Rugby minor premiership after a convincing 44-16 win over the Highlanders, with the Sharks suffering a surprising loss to the Cheetahs. As a result, the Tahs will have a first round finals bye, automatically progressing to a home semi-final. If NSW defend their unbeaten record at home this season they will then host a first-ever final at ANZ Stadium.
Coach Michael Cheika was quick to emphasise that the team’s ultimate objective was far from achieved. “It’s a good feeling to achieve a goal that you set yourself at the start of the year and obviously it’s the first of our two objectives for the season,” Cheika said. [/one_half]
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Speight v Cummins showdown
The must-win clash at Canberra stadium looming between the Force and the Brumbies will feature an intriguing battle between departing Wallaby Nick Cummins and the soon-to-be eligible Henry Speight. Joe Tomane has backed his Brumbies team-mate and added, “Two Wallaby-calibre wingers going head to head, which should be exciting for the fans.
Tomane, who is returning from a fractured cheekbone, will probably be more concerned with coach Stephen Larkham’s selection dilemma in the outside backs. Only three of Speight, Tomane, Robbie Coleman, Clyde Rathbone, Jesse Mogg and Pat McCabe will make the starting XV.
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Nonu returning to Hurricanes
It appears that All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu is set to leave the Blues for his former club the Hurricanes next season, exercising the opt out clause in his two year Blues contract. Although there is still no official confirmation, the move is thought to be a formality with Nonu reported to have already told his Auckland team-mates of his impending departure.
Nonu’s return and the confirmation of Beauden Barrett’s decision to stay are set to counter the fallout should the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby play-off drought stretch into its sixth year. [/one_half]
