Monday’s rugby news has some disappointing Super Rugby results, Folau reportedly re-signing, Hunt detailing his drug use and England talking up their home-field advantage.
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Aussie teams out of finals
Australia’s top two Super Rugby sides have been dealt heavy defeats in the semi-finals to their New Zealand counterparts, raising concerns over the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship and World Cup campaigns. The Tahs lost at home 35-17 to the Highlanders, with the Brumbies defeated 29-9 by Wellington over the weekend.
Although both matches highlighted the gap between the top sides for each nation, Wallabies veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper said that the Test side were better prepared despite coach Michael Cheika’s difficult dual responsibilities. “Once we get all together as a group we’ll be ready to go,” Ashley-Cooper said. “Cheik’s got together with all the other provinces, there is a bond.”
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Folau re-signs
Israel Folau has reportedly committed his future to the Wallabies by signing a three-year flexible contract with the ARU. The deal, believed to be similar to the one recently signed by Bernard Foley, will allow Folau to play rugby in the Japanese Top League rugby competition while also fulfilling his obligations at Test and Super Rugby level.
Folau was rumored to be moving closer to either joining the 2016 Olympic effort with the Aussie Sevens or convert back to rugby league, with massive offers from the Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters. His deal will keep him with the Wallabies and Waratahs until at least the end of 2018.
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Hunt bears all
Cross-code football star Karmichael Hunt has reportedly told police he binged on drugs and alcohol for days at a time and would sometimes turn up to official team functions high. The 28-year-old also made explosive allegations to Queensland law enforcement officers about other high-profile rugby union and rugby league players before appearing in court on the Gold Coast in March.
The information was provided in return for Hunt getting a lighter sentence, which in turn helped salvage his new $2 million contract with the Reds. Hunt told police he blamed the stress of switching clubs and football codes for his escalating drug use.
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England counting on home advantage
England captain Chris Robshaw is determined to capitalise on home field advantage when they run out for their World Cup campaign later this year. Robshaw has drawn comparisons with the 2012 Olympic Games which were staged in London, and which held huge success for English athletes.
Former Test captain Martin Johnson has recently admitted though that the 1999 World Cup team crumbled under the pressure of hosting the tournament. “People ask ‘is it pressure?’ No, we’ve got to put that pressure on other teams,” Robshaw emphasised. “Other teams come here playing in front of 60 million people cheering us on and we’ve got to use that to our advantage.”
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