Wednesday’s rugby news has Pocock possibly taking a year off, Gill moving to France, the Reds playing their star recruit and O’Connell retiring.
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Pocock worrying the ARU
The ARU and Brumbies appear to be facing a battle to keep David Pocock as he is considering a year off from the game. Apparently the international star is looking to study in England for twelve months, which has alarmed the ARU.
Pocock’s current deal expires on December 31 and with the Brumbies wanting him to remain with the franchise, some intriguing decisions await. “It creates all sorts of problems if Poey takes a break,” Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones said. “My preferred solution, and our offer to him, doesn’t allow a break.”
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Gill leaving for France
Australia’s backrow stocks will be under added threat with Queensland flanker Liam Gill poised to join French glamour club Toulon. “It was a very difficult decision, but I felt the time was right to challenge myself and play rugby in a different environment,” Gill said. “I feel I have done as much as I can in Australian rugby and now look to enjoy a new opportunity.”
At just 23, Gill has played 15 Tests for the Wallabies but in recent times has fallen down the pecking order to Pocock, Michael Hooper and Sean McMahon for national selection, and was not given any ARU top-up money when he re-signed with the Reds for the 2016 season.
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Goromaru featuring for Reds
Japanese fullback Ayumu Goromaru will come off the bench for the Queensland Reds in their second trial, against the Brumbies. The 29-year-old trained with the Reds for the first time on Monday but will have to wait to make his first appearance for the Reds, with Karmichael Hunt starting at 15 for Friday night’s trial.
Wallabies prop Greg Holmes will start at tighthead, in his first match since last year’s Rugby World Cup final, in the only change to Queensland’s starting side from last Saturday’s 31-3 loss. “It’s a good opportunity for us continue to challenge ourselves and the way we want to play this season,” coach Richard Graham said.
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O’Connell retires
Paul O’Connell has announced his retirement from all forms of rugby. The 36-year-old suffered a serious hamstring injury during last year’s World Cup. He planned to see out his career with French giants Toulon, but has now decided to hang up his boots after struggling to recover from the setback
“It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice,” O’Connell said. “I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years…I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.”
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