Friday’s rugby news has Fiji backing the Wallabies, legal action at the Brumbies, a Welsh rules breach and a vital Springbok returning.
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Fiji like Australia’s chances
Fijian coach John McKee likes Australia’s odds against England, asserting that the Wallabies are a different side than that which lost 26-17 to England last November. “England certainly had the wood on them last November and dominated that game, but from what I saw of the Wallabies against us they’re a much-improved side than they were then,” he said
Of particular note in that game was the strength of the English scrum. But in a a straight comparison, against the same Fiji pack five days apart, the Wallabies were at least equal to the English pack and probably their superiors, at least according to much of the English press.
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Brumbies request police investigation
The Brumbies have called in police to investigate the controversial sale of its Griffith headquarters in 2013. Chief executive officer Michael Jones said there were some anomalies in the paperwork which may suggest a number of unauthorized transactions.
Investigations of the club’s dealings between 2009 and 2013 have already been undertaken by the Brumbies, the ARU and KPMG’s forensic accounting arm. “The KPMG report identified a number of unanswered questions in the transactions and agreements,” Jones said. Former CEO Andrew Fagan denied any knowledge of the alleged irregularities.
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Wales cautioned
Wales received an official warning on Thursday following a breach of the spirit of the Rugby World Cup terms of participation regarding team training arrangements. Players from outside the selected 31-man squad took part in a practice session on Wednesday ahead of the Pool A game against England on Saturday.
“Having reviewed the matter, World Rugby is satisfied that no deliberate breach was intended,” the organisation said in a statement. Wales have contacted tournament organisers about the possibility of bringing in a front-row replacement after props Paul James and Samson Lee sustained injuries in their opening win over Uruguay.
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Vermeulen returns
After a two-month fitness battle, Springboks’ Duane Vermeulen will risk his injured neck for his country on Saturday. South Africa’s player of the year for 2014 has been named at number eight to face Samoa in the vital Pool B game at Villa Park.
Vermuelen underwent surgery in July on worrying neck spasms caused by a disc bulging onto a nerve root. Sprinboks coach Heyneke Meyer lauded the commitment of the Test number 8, saying, “If everyone had the mental attitude and the desire to play for South Africa that Duane has, we probably wouldn?t lose any games.”
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