Friday’s rugby news has Rob Simmons returning for the Reds, Rob Horne and Tatafu Polota-Nau returning from injury, Tim Horan backing Kurtley Beale for the Wallabies 12 jersey and rival Brumbies meeting conducted in Canberra.
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Simmons Returns
Reds lock Rob Simmons has recovered from a shoulder injury and has been named to start against the Stormers in Cape Town this weekend.
“There are a fair few players around Super Rugby who can say they have never won at Newlands,” Simmons said.
“I have (in 2011) so I know the level of performance it takes and it would be huge for the young guys in this side to break through that barrier.
“It’s always a noisy crowd at Newlands so to start well, quieten the locals, get on top and keep going is the formula.
“In just about every game this year we have seen moments from the Reds where we are a very good football side.
“If we apply ourselves for 80 minutes we can start doing a number on teams.’’
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Horne, Polota-Nau Return
The Waratahs have been boosted by the return of Wallabies Rob Horne and Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Horne will replace Carraro in the starting team on the wing whilst Polota-Nau will take his spot on the bench.
Club captain Dave Dennis will start in the second row for his 100th appearance for New South Wales.
The Force have made two changes with Francois van Wyk starting at loosehead prop in place of the injured Pek Cowan while Marcel Brache returns on the right wing for Luke Morahan.
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Horan Backs Beale
Former Wallabies inside centre Tim Horan has backed Kurtley Beale to play inside centre for the Wallabies instead of Matt Giteau.
“Subject to what Michael Cheika is thinking in the three-match Test series, he might bring a Matt Giteau back into the fold after that period to have options,” Horan said.
“But I think you have to start to look forward and Matt Giteau — wonderful player, but he’s 33 and not a spring chicken anymore.
“He’s still playing good rugby and he’s just come back from injury to feature for Toulon.
“It gives you two players who can work left and right of the field, and I thought that Kurtley played one of his best games of the year on the weekend against the Brumbies in a losing team.”
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Brumbies Board Issues
Canberra rugby has been divided after a rival general meeting was conducted last night.
The ACT Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Brumbies Chief Executive Michael Jones would keep his job due to whistleblower protection.
A general meeting was called last night to seek answers as to why the Brumbies board attempted to stand down Mr Jones.
Mr Jones, three club presidents and several members attended the Brumbies headquarters whilst four club bosses and life members met in Tuggeranong to avoid confrontation with Mr Jones.
“We welcomed the court lifting the restrictions on us and being able to brief our members. We had a very frank and fruitful discussion and finally got to put our side of the story to all the voting members,” said ACT chairman Robert Kennedy.
“We certainly look forward to a quick and amicable resolution of this issue.”
Mr Jones described the situation on Thursday night as an “embarrassment for rugby in Canberra” and said: “I wish this hadn’t happened tonight so that we could focus on rugby”.
Mr Kennedy and Mr Jones are expected to meet today.
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