Wednesday’s rugby news has Genia back in the starting line-up, the NFL in recruiting mode, Burgess a possible starter and a new All Blacks captain.
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Genia ready for resurgence
Will Genia has emphasized that he is ready to guide the Wallabies as starting halfback after three lean years of injury and mediocre form that saw him fall to third choice 9 behind Nick Phipps and Nic White. Coach Stephen Larkham said that the return to the side was triggered by Genia’s attitude during the preparatory World Cup camps.
“You can tell that he’s been building for this campaign…I think he’s in the right frame of mind and certainly physically, he’s in a good spot at the moment,” Larkham said. The Wallabies selectors had to look past the fact that the Reds halfback and starting five-eighth Bernard Foley have limited experience playing together, although Genia has dismissed these concerns by citing the comfortable partnership that has been built by training together so much recently.
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NFL looking at RWC
NFL agent Jack Bechta is looking for the next Jarryd Hayne at the Rugby World Cup. “I’m actively scouting and trying to identify three to five guys who potentially fit the profile of an NFL player,” Bechta told ESPN. “Rugby players are better conditioned athletes than NFL players – from a toughness, training standpoint they won’t have any problems making the transfer.”
The Wallabies had spend two weeks in the US prior to their match against the Eagles, giving scouts plenty of opportunity. The most obvious target, Wallaby fullback Israel Folau, has fortunately signed a long-term teal with Australian rugby recently.
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Burgess starting
England have made a massive change to their starting side to face Wales in a crucial World Cup pool match. Sam Burgess, with only 112 minutes of Test experience, will start at inside centre after Jonathan Joseph was ruled out with a chest injury suffered in England’s opening 35-11 opening win over Fiji. Lancaster could have brought in Henry Slade as a straight replacement for Joseph but instead opted for the former rugby league star Burgess.
As a result, Brad Barritt has been switched to outside centre, while George Ford has been dropped for Owen Farrell. Ford led the English attack throughout the Six Nations, where the side scored a record-breaking 18 tries in five matches, a campaign which included a 21-16 win over Wales.
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Sam Cane to lead All Blacks
The All Blacks side has been named to play Namibia in their second pool match of World Cup, with openside flanker Sam Cane to captain a new-look team for the first time. “He’s in our leadership group, is hugely respected by everyone, is a fierce and fearless player and is someone who has the potential of being a long-term captain of the All Blacks in the future,” coach Steve Hansen said.
Cane will be the 67th player to captain the All Blacks in a Test and at 23 years eight months old will be the fifth youngest All Blacks captain ever. Hansen has made a number of changes to the starting side, allowing many new faces in the squad to gain experience, with Codie Taylor, Luke Romano, Liam Messam, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Malakai Fekitoa playing their first World Cup match.
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