Monday’s rugby news has all the fallout from the win against Wales, with Folau confident of backing up, Cheika wary of the Scots, the Brumbies criticising the NRC and a massive blow for the All Black scrum.
[one_half last=”no”]
Folau a probable starter
Wallabies full-back Israel Folau is confident he will be fit to face Scotland in next Sunday’s quarter-final. Folau sustained an ankle injury in Australia’s victory over England and was doubtful to play against Wales, playing through pain to finish the match.
Michael Cheika also gave an optimistic report on David Pocock, who sustained a calf injury and struggled through 15 minutes of play before being taken off during the sin bin “chaos”. “He doesn’t seem too bad but at the end I brought him off because I wasn’t sure who to bring off when all that (sin bin period) was happening,” Cheika said.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Cheika warns against complacency
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has cited Australia’s poor record against Scotland in recent times to snuff out suggestions they earned an “easier” quarter-final with victory over Wales. Scotland have won two of their last three Tests against the Wallabies dating back to 2009, and only lost by six in 2013.
The Welsh will play South Africa in the quarter-finals, and would likely meet New Zealand a week later if they won. Meanwhile, Australia will play Scotland, and then either Ireland, France or Argentina in a semi-final.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Criticism of NRC’s make-up
ACT Brumbies forwards coach Dan McKeller is adamant that the NSW NRC teams are suffering from the number of teams diluting the State’s talent. “There’s too many teams in Sydney. The Shute Shield has been pumped up for years but the talent and depth is not there to service four teams,” he said.
Another massive problem for NSW teams is that they are largely unsupported by the Waratahs. In contrast, the dominant teams of this year’s NRC, the Canberra Vikings and Brisbane City, along with the Perth Spirit and Melbourne Rising, were the beneficiaries of backing from their respective Super Rugby franchises, allowing access to players, coaches, and training facilities.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Woodcock out of RWC
Tony Woodcock has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a hamstring injury, a disappointing end to the All Black prop’s career, as he announced in June he would retire when the tournament ended. The 34-year-old Woodcock sustained the injury during New Zealand’s 47-9 win over Tonga in its final Pool C match.
“He’s been a great All Black and he deserves to go out better than this,” All Blacks coach Steven Hansen said. Woodcock, who has played 118 Tests, will be replaced in the squad by Crusaders prop Joe Moody. Defending champions New Zealand will play Ireland or France in the quarter-finals.
[/one_half]
