Wednesday’s rugby news has denials of a Tah bias and Wallabies sexism, Pek Cowan re-signing and George North possibly changing positions.
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No NSW bias, say coaches
New Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has emphasised that the Test team under Michael Cheika will not show any Waratahs favouritism, saying that the team will extract the most from all Australian Super Rugby Franchises.
“There’s lots of great things that each of the provinces are doing and if we can pull those positives into a collective then it’s going to make the national side very strong and very dangerous,” he said. Grey also seemed to accept a possible addition of Kurtley Beale, emphasising that the coaches will be focusing on picking the top 30 players for any given squad.
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Phipps denies Wallabies sexism
In the wake of the Kurtley Beale scandal, Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps has had to deny that there is a culture of misogyny within the top levels of Australian rugby. It is unsure how many Waratahs mates and other players Beale felt comfortable showing the photos to, but Phipps has said that the circulation of the offensive photos were not reflective of the side’s attitude towards women.
“It doesn’t reflect at all on the playing group”, he said, “We’re fully supportive of women in sport and we always will be”. Phipps also said that the media scrutiny had affected the players’ preparation somewhat.
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Pek Cowan re-signs
Wallabies prop Pek Cowan has emphasised that his desire to be part of the developing Western Force success was the major reason in his decision to re-sign for the next two years. “I’ve never wanted to leave this club until we’ve achieved something as a group,” said Cowan, who has been at the Force since its inception in 2006.
Cowan’s Super Rugby form saw him return to the Test ranks after three years in the wings, with the 28-year-old representing the Wallabies in Tests against France, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.
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North to centre
Amid the injury crisis in the Welsh backline, star winger George North may be called upon to switch to centre for the team’s upcoming Autumn internationals which start against Australia on November 8. Jonathan Davies recently suffered a dislocated shoulder playing for Clermont, while fellow centres Scott Williams and Cory Allen are also sidelined with injury.
With Jamie Roberts the only fit centre, former Lions and Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel emphasised that North had all the qualities to wear the 13 jersey, although adapting to the new position would depend on his attitude.
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