Friday’s Rugby News has Super CEOs staying mute, Larkham pushing back, Fardy back in, Rebels changing their team again, Genia rumours, and the Top 14 are also worried about Racing – Stade.
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Super Chiefs Go Mute
Super Rugby CEOs have remained weird and coy about the prospect of an Australian team being cut.
“Given that so many people’s livelihoods could potentially be at stake, the CEOs are respecting the ongoing process that Sanzaar are going through and that speculation of a future format does not help any team,” read a statement sent out by the heads of the Tahs, Reds, Brumbies, Force and Rebels.
“The focus now for all teams is the 2017 Super Rugby season, about winning games and delivering great events for all fans.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
This is in stark contrast to the big boss of the Cheetos, Harold Vester, who earlier this week told media that one Australian team was goneskies.
Brumbies CEO Michael Thompson a few days ago said “You can’t rule anything out or anything in, but Canberra is our home and I don’t see that changing”, which is probably a hint that a merger is possible.
Down south, in that special city where people paint on walls and the weather changes sometimes, Rebels boss Andrew Cox said,“We are here, we’re focused on this season, we’re focused on playing the Chiefs and we don’t consider ourselves at any risk of not being in the 2018 competition and beyond.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Tele mentioned this morning that Bill Pulver’s contract expires in a few months.
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Brumbies Chat
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has said “neigh” to any speculation that the Canberra side could move.
“We are a Canberra team, we support this region, the region supports us and the Brumbies will only ever play out of Canberra,” he said, according to rugby.com.au.
““I think it’s disappointing that people are even suggesting that (a merger) and I think that’s what we’re seeing at the moment is that there’s a lot of speculation.”
Larkham only got more fired up the more he went on.
“You see CEOs from South African franchises throwing statements out there and I think that’s what it is – it’s people speculating what’s going to happen,” he continued.
“We’ve had no indication we’re not going to be here next year and our mindset is that we’re going to be here.
“We’ve been the most successful Super Rugby franchise in Australia and our books are good, our squad is strong and there’s no reason why we can’t push ahead for a new coach next year to come and coach the Brumbies here in Canberra.”
In other news, Scott Fardy (replacing Ben Hyne) is back in the Brumbies starting XV, along with Nigel Ah Wong (James Dargaville) and Lolo Fakaosilea (Chris Alcock).
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The Cut
Rebels coach Tony McGahan has had to bring in the bat for the second time in two weeks.
Rugby.com.au says the underfire coach has made three changes to the squad list in the hope that they will lose by a slightly less embarrassing margin this time around.
Sefa Naivalu has recovered from a leg infection (ew!) and will start with the #14 on his back, and young prop Fereti Sa’aga will be replacing Cruze Ah-Nau at loosehead. Former Harlequin Murray Douglas is also coming onto the bench. Rugby Reg’s BFF Marike Koroibete will also get his second start.
Lopeti Timani knacked his knee, so is out of the side. Mitch Inman has also suffered some sort of injury, and will be sitting out too.
Talking about injuries, McGahan also said Sean McMahon and Toby Smith are four and six weeks respectively away from returning to action.
In other Rebels news, the Daily Tele mentions that Will Genia could be headed to Melbourne.
“Genia and his family like the idea of settling in Melbourne and his camp has held discussions with the franchise,” Iain Payten writes,”That’s why Rebels halfback Nick Stirzaker doesn’t have a new contract offer and back-up Ben Meehan is off to London Irish.
“But with speculation rife that the Rebels are in the firing line in a possible revamped 15-team competition next year, the Reds could secure their former champion once again.”
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Top 14 Also Worried
The various administrative bosses of France’s Top 14 competition are going to have a hastily-assembled meeting to discuss the Racing 92 – Stade Francais merger, says Rugby 365.
The Ligue National de Rugby (LNR), which runs the Top 14, said the proposal “provokes many reactions, questions and concerns, both for the social and cultural impacts linked to this merger and the sporting consequences for the Top 14.”
“Representatives of both sporting companies [professional] and associations [amateur], players’ representatives and coaches” were invited to a meeting “to assess and ensure the best handling of all dimensions of the proposal”.
“The LNR calls for dialogue, will pay close attention to this affair, unprecedented in the world of professional rugby, and intends to work to ensure the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the players, coaches and employees of the two clubs.”
Trendsetters Toulon, owned by firebrand Mourad Boudjellal, will wear pink (Stade’s colours) in support on the weekend, as many see the merger as a takeover by Racing.
“In support of the players and the history of Stade Francais, players and staff of Toulon will wear pink armbands at Grenoble,” said Toulon in a statement.
This move makes sense, as earlier in the week Boudjellal said of the merger “An empty stadium plus an empty stadium will perhaps be a half-empty stadium,” he said.
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