Thursday’s rugby news has Hooper reacting to his suspension, more injury concerns, McCaw rested and a new World Cup record.
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Hooper ‘gutted’
Michael Hooper has expressed his disappointment after being slapped with a one-match ban which will see him miss Australia’s crunch clash against Wales on Saturday. Australia have already qualified for the quarter-finals, and Hooper will be free to play in their knockout fixture, but the Wallabies need to beat Wales if they are to top Group A
“Obviously I’m gutted I won’t be able to be in the mix for selection. It really hurts. You always want to be in these sort of games, the big ones,” he said. Hooper also stated that he was surprised initially to be cited but that the smart play from the Wallabies was to admit guilt and push for the lowest penalty.
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Giteau in doubt
With doubts already surrounding the availability of Israel Folau and Rob Horne, and with Michael Hooper suspended, the Wallabies will be sweating on the fitness of Matt Giteau, who is struggling with sore ribs after being hit by Owen Farrell off the ball.
While Giteau missed a training session because of the rib issue, the Wallabies are confident that he will be available, although veteran back Adam Ashley-Cooper has already expressed his confidence in the team’s depth, with Matt Toomua available as a replacement. The winner of the pool A decider will get a smoother path through the play-offs and avoid New Zealand and South Africa until the final.
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McCaw to miss Tonga match
Richie McCaw will miss his team’s final Pool C game against Tonga in Newcastle on Friday after suffering a thigh injury during last week’s victory over Georgia, leaving backrower Kieran Read with the captaincy duties and Sam Cane returning to the openside flanker position. But coach Steve Hansen has downplayed the extent of the injury
‘If we were playing a final, he would be fine, but we are just not prepared to take any risks with anyone that is not 100 per cent,’ Hansen said. In other changes, Waisake Naholo, who had been under an injury cloud, has been cleared to start with Nehe Milner-Skudder on the wings, replacing Julian Savea .
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Habana equals record
Bryan Habana has equaled the Rugby World Cup try-scoring record as South Africa clinched top spot in Pool B with a heavy defeat of the United States 64-0 at London’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday. The winger crossed for three of his team’s 10 tries to match New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu’s all-time milestone of 15 overall at the tournament.
The 32-year-old also equalled Australian David Campese’s record of 64 Test tries for a major rugby nation, with Japan’s Daisuke Ohata the only player ahead of them, with 69. The Springboks will next face the loser of Saturday’s match between the top two Pool A teams, Australia and Wales, at Twickenham .
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