Thursday’s rugby news has Cheika finally named Wallabies coach, a number of new faces in the Test squad, the John Eales award nominees revealed and Tuilagi injured.
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Cheika named Test coach
Michael Cheika has finally been officially named as the new Wallabies coach after some brief contract dramas. Cheika has signed a three year deal and, as expected, he will be coaching both the Waratahs and the Test team in 2015.
“Everyone needs to clear their heads and remember what we are here to do,” he said. “I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge.” Cheika has brought in Tahs defence coach Nathan Grey, retained Andrew Blades and let go of Jim McKay and Nick Scrivener in the coaching ranks. Michael Foley reportedly turned down the role of Wallabies forward coach.
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New editions to squad
With the Wallabies set to fly out for their Spring Tour on Friday, the squad will feature five uncapped players , including the Melbourne Rebels loose forward Sean McMahon, Western Force prop Tetera Faulkner, wingers Tom English and Henry Speight, and centre Kyle Godwin.
Kurtley Beale’s code-of-conduct hearing has also been set for Friday, where he will discover whether he is still part of the new Wallabies set-up. Cheika refused to comment yesterday on the hearing, where Beale is charged with breaching the ARU’s harassment provisions.
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John Eales Medal nominees
The John Eales Medal will be awarded tonight, with captain Michael Hooper the favourite to win the award for the second consecutive year. Hooper’s nearest competitors are said to be Israel Folau, Stephen Moore, James Slipper and Tevita Kuridrani.
Hooper could join fellow openside George Smith (2002 and 2008) and retired skipper Nathan Sharpe (2007 and 2012) as the only dual winners.
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Tuilagi out of NZ Tests
English centre Manu Tuilagi has been ruled out of the November Tests after re-injuring his groin playing for Leicester last week. Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill expects the most recent injury to last “four-plus weeks.”
“At this point we just need to find out exactly what the problem is and find the right treatment,” Cockerill added. Saracens winger Chris Ashton , Danny Cipriani and Freddie Burns have also missed out on Stuart Lancaster’s England squad.
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