Wednesday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper still on Cheika’s radar, Folau staying put, Sam Burgess returns to Bath training and Heyneke Meyer under pressure.
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Quade Still on Radar
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has expressed a desire to keep Quade Cooper playing for Australia despite his likely move to Toulon.
“You can’t be playing with that type of stuff, that’s not what it’s designed for,” Cheika said when asked if Cooper’s Test target had been a factor at the selection table.
“But we’ll be doing everything we can to keep Quade playing in Australia. I want him to be playing here. He’s a great player. He’s been outstanding on this trip.
“His attitude and his contribution to the team, off the field, has been outstanding and on the field when he’s played and on the training paddock. Even with his own disappointment over not getting selected he’s been outstanding and I want players like that involved with the team at all costs.”
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Folau Staying Put
“In the last couple of days I’ve been surprised to hear of stories speculating about my future, and I hope no-one is taking them seriously,” he said.
“Within an hour of losing the World Cup final I was asked about playing in the next one, and I answered honestly that I don’t know where I’ll be at that stage of my career.
“A week is a long time in professional sport, let alone four years, and no-one knows what the future holds.
“For me these reports have been a bit frustrating because I’ve only just signed a three-year contract extension with the Waratahs and the Australian Rugby Union, and that deal hasn’t even started yet!”
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Burgess Returns
Sam Burgess has returned to training at Bath after being granted some time off.
Burgess travelled to Spain to reflect on his future after an unsuccessful World Cup campaign.
“Speaking truthfully, he was probably treated a bit unfairly in my opinion and that’s probably what’s pushing him away at the moment,” his brother, Tom Burgess said.
“He’s had a week or 10 days off that Mike Ford gave him to refresh him a little bit mentally and he’ll assess his options. He’s not made any decision as yet. At the moment he’s still with Bath.”
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Meyer Under Pressure
Chief executive of the SARU Jurie Roux has announced that a decision will be made on the future of Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer will be made on December 4.
The Springboks finished third in this year’s World Cup in comparison to a quarter final exit in 2011 but a shock loss to Japan and questionable tactics have put Meyer under severe pressure to keep his job.
“The executive council has the power to appoint management and coaching staff with the exception of the position of the Springbok coach, which is ultimately decided by the general council of Saru,” said Roux.
“That body meets on December 4 when the position of the Springbok coach for 2016 will be on the agenda.”
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