Friday’s rugby news has the Tahs worried about Kurtley, the Reds putting the players first, changes for the Brumbies and a big Hurricanes injury.
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Waratahs struggling with Beale
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is still hopeful of keeping Kurtley Beale at the club but admits the sum of money being thrown at his star playmaker would be hard to turn down, something which he says will be a big issue for Australian rugby down the track.
“We’ve got an environment here that we’re proud of,” Gisbson said. “We provide a very stable nurturing place for him and he’s done well and I’m sure he’ll consider all those factors when he makes a decision.” The 27-year-old, who could become the highest-paid player in the English Premiership if he accepts the lucrative offer.
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Reds coaches going in without ego
Queensland Reds co-coaches Nick Stiles and Matt O’Connor say they won’t be letting egos or ambition get in the way of team success in 2016. The pair will be joint head coaches for the remainder of the season, after the club released Richard Graham this week, with Stiles focusing on the forwards and O’Connor taking on attack and defence responsibilities.
“We all want to be a head coach at some point in time,” Stiles said. “I think the ability at the moment to bunker down and stay focused on the job of improving this place and getting more wins is far more important than worrying about individual desires.”
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Brumbies change three
Brumbies Coach Stephen Larkham made three changes to his side for Friday’s match against the Force in Perth. Brumbies lock Blake Enever and No. 8 Ita Vaea will both miss the match against the Force after picking up injuries in the 32-15 win over the Waratahs last Friday.
Rory Arnold comes straight back into the starting side for Enever, while Jarrad Butler replaces Vaea. Taking Butler’s vacated spot on the replacement bench is Canberra youngster, Tom Staniforth. The Brumbies have won seven of the last eight matches against the Force including a current winning streak of four matches.
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Coles out for Hurricanes
The Wellington Hurricanes will be without captain Dane Coles for another week of Super Rugby as the World Cup-winning hooker continues to battle a troubling calf injury. All Black Coles will miss Friday’s away clash against the Auckland Blues at Eden Park in a blow to last year’s finalists, who are still searching for a win after defeats in both their opening matches.
“It’s a long season and we aren’t going to take any chances with Dane at this stage,” Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said. “Even though he’s close we’ve decided to err on the side of caution and make sure he’s 100 per cent.” Hurricanes wings Nehe Milner-Skudder and Cory Jane have been passed fit to play though.
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