Friday’s rugby news has two uncapped players named in the Wallabies squad, Tatafu Polota-Nau injured, Nick Phipps responds to Graham Henry’s comments and Conor Mitchell signs with the Australian Sevens team.
[one_half last=”no”]
Uncapped Played Named
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has included two uncapped players for the Wallabies tour to South Africa and the UK.
Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu and Rebels winger Sefa Naivalu will llok to earn their first test cap against Argentina or South Africa.
Naivalu became eligible to play for the Wallabies on September 18 and Cheika has been impressed by the young winger.
“Obviously we’ve been watching him for a while in Super Rugby, where he’s been performing very well in Melbourne and he’s certainly merited his opportunity to come into the squad now and be available for selection,” Cheika said.
“He’s been training well with the lads.
“He’s got a really good attitude and mindset and I’m really keen to see what he’s going to bring when that opportunity comes for him.
“He’s going to have a battle out there for him but very excited to see him in there now and in the hunt and available to be selected.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
TPN Will Play Again
Michael Cheika is confident hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will play for the Wallabies again after being left out of the Wallabies squad due to injury.
Polota-Nau has been battling an arm injury since early in the Super Rugby season, after breaking the limb for the second time.
“Basically it’s as good as playing with a broken arm,” Cheika said.
“He’s been pushing hard, it’s a real credit to him. It has been tough for him. I think that’s enough now, let’s get another guy going in that spot.
“What he’s adding in games has been really vital for us and he’s a player we want in top condition going forward.
“His decision to have a rest or operate, we’ll make in the next couple of weeks and decide what happens to him for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, Drew Mitchell has returned to his French club Toulon in Europe to gain some match fitness as he works his way back from injury.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Phipps Responds to Henry
Nick Phipps has responded to World Cup winning coach Graham Henry’s comments saying that they are hard to ignore.
Last week Henry claimed that the current Wallabies team was the worst ever and that it was not good for the game.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika dismissed the comments earlier this week.
“It’s hard for us to ignore,” Phipps said.
“You hear that from a World Cup winning coach and you hear that through the various channels.
“We knew about it, the players were unhappy about it.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Mitchell Signs with 7s
Queensland Country forward Conor Mitchell has signed with the Australian Men’s Sevens team for the 2016-17 World Rugby Sevens Series.
Mitchell made his debut for the Sevens team in Vancouver earlier this year as an inclusion from outside the contracted squad.
Sevens coach Andy Friend was thrilled to have Mitchell join the squad.
“Conor has already impressed in the Australian colours with his Captaincy of the Australian University Sevens Team at the World University Games in 2016 where the side claimed the Gold Medal,” he said.
“The World Series is crucial for us, as we look to build more depth and become a regular top four team on the world stage and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
