Friday’s rugby news has the Wallaby and England teams announced, Jones suspicious of Hayne move and new Highlanders coach announced for next season.
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Cheika Names Team
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has named three debutants in the starting team to face England and one possible debutant on the bench in Nick Frisby.
Rory Arnold is set to be the tallest ever Wallaby starting in second row; Samu Kerevi will play inside centre and Dane Haylett-Petty will start on the wing.
“This team of 2016 has a great opportunity to build on the foundations in place,” Cheika said.
“We have a good mix of new blood and players who have been connected to the group for some time and the energy and enjoyment within the group has been excellent.
“The work ethic and application of every player in the squad shows just how much the Wallabies jersey means to each of them, and these 23 players know they represent the group when they run out on Saturday.”
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England Side Named
England coach Eddie Jones has named the England side to take on the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Young lock Maro Itoje will start in the second row whilst George Ford has been dropped to the bench to make way for Owen Farrell to start at five-eight.
“We have picked a side to win in Brisbane,” Jones said.
“We’ve only ever won three games in Australia so it’s a great opportunity to put down a marker and create history.
“We have a young squad with an average age of 24 so we are still developing and improving. It’ll be a great challenge for us and one we’re looking forward to meeting head on.”
ENGLAND: Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Marland Yarde, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs, Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley (c) Dan Cole. Res: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Matt Mullan, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell
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Jones Suspicious
Eddie Jones has admitted he is suspicious of Jarrad Hayne’s decision to play for the Fiji Sevens team.
“I must admit I was surprised they played him,” Jones said.
“There must be something going on behind the scenes because it’s quite a unique selection.
“You talk to anyone who knows anything about sevens, you’re looking at about a period of three to six months to be ready to play at the top class level. You can’t just walk in. It doesn’t’ matter if you’re the best runner in the NFL, you’ve got to be able to play sevens.
“Certainly, his performance in London suggests he’s going to be struggling to make that team.”
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New Highlanders Coach
Former All Black Tony Brown has been announced as the Highlanders coach for next year for the departing Jamie Joseph.
Brown has been an assistant coach under Joseph since 2014.
Former All Black Scott McLeod and former Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett will be Brown’s assistant coaches.
“I wasn’t sure the timing was right for me, but having spoken to people inside and outside the organisation, I know now that this is too good an opportunity to pass up,” he said.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from working with the current group of players and coaches, and with some fresh challenges for the club on the horizon, the best option was to recommit to the Highlanders.”
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