Monday’s rugby news has Giteau aiming for a Wallabies return, Beale not concerned, McMahon cleared of serious injury and some key All Blacks injured.
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Giteau eying RWC
After starring in a third consecutive European Cup win with Toulon, Matt Giteau has emphasized his desire to play Test rugby again. Having made his Test debut as a 20-year-old at Twickenham back in 2002, Giteau effectively called time on his 92-cap Australia career when he signed for Toulon after failing to be included in the Wallabies’ squad for the 2011 World Cup.
The new Test eligibility rules announced last month have now given Giteau and other overseas-based players another chance at World Cup success. “I signed over here knowing I wouldn’t play Test rugby again,” said Giteau after Saturday’s match. “I had no idea it was coming, but I’m happy it has. It’s very exciting for Australian rugby that they’ve changed that (the eligibility rules).”
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Beale not worried
The inclusion of the former Wallabies 10 will increase the pressure on Australian midfield contenders with coach Michael Cheika asserting that he had been in touch with Giteau. Cheika will include a maximum of 14 backs in his 31-man World Cup squad this year, leaving Giteau, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Quade Cooper and utility James O’Connor battling it out for presumably four or five playmaking spots.
Kurtley Beale has backed the ARU’s more relaxed policy despite the increasing pressure for any spots he was hoping to fill. “You always want to play against some of the best and you always want to test yourself against some of the best,” Beale said. “So to have him available now, that creates a lot of healthy competition throughout the whole first-five, second-five options and that’s important.”
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Good news for McMahon
Sean McMahon has been cleared of a serious hip injury and the Rebels are confident that he will not be sidelined for too long. The young Wallaby was assisted from AAMI Park in obvious pain after injuring his hip at the breakdown on Saturday night. McMahon tried to play on but he collapsed in pain and needed to be replaced in the 30th minute.
“The initial assessment is that it’s nothing serious,” a Rebels spokesman said. “We think it’s just a nasty knock.” The Rebels are in 10th place with six rounds to play, although the team will now have to make the tough trip to South Africa to play the Stormers and Sharks.
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Three All-Blacks injured
New Zealand have been dealt a big blow to their World Cup preparations following the news that Jerome Kaino will miss up to two months of action because of a compound fracture to the ring finger on his left hand. Kaino, who started every match for New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup, is now expected to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season.
Fellow All Blacks back row star Charles Piutau suffered an injury of his own during the Blues’ win over the Western Force on Saturday, with coach John Kirwan worried that the injury appears similar to the medial ligament issue which ruled him out for eight weeks last year. All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett also suffered a knee injury, although it will likely only require a week off.
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