Friday’s Rugby News has some Wallaby and All Black changes, Genia accepting of pay cuts and the Honey Badger staying at the Force.
[one_half last=”no”]
Wallabies look to back up against champs
Coach Ewen Mckenzie has challenged the Wallabies to reproduce their performance against Argentina in this weekend’s match against the All Blacks. While Link was pleased with Australia’s 54-17 win over the Pumas, he knows that defeating the world champions at home, a feat not achieved since mid 2009, will be a completely different degree of difficulty.
McKenzie has made a few changes, most notably promoting Matt Toomua to inside centre in the wake of an injury to Christian Lealiifano. While Toomua is known for his stout defence, shadowing Ma’a Nonu offers a significant test. NSW winger Peter Betham will also come into the side due to a number of Wallaby outside back injuries. Meanwhile, Dave Dennis has been chosen over Liam Gill on the bench, with utility back Mike Harris also earning a spot on the reserves. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Genia reacts to proposed pay cuts
The ARU are facing imposed cuts in all areas of the game after a period of sustained financial decline. In response, Will Genia has stated that top Test players would accept a likely cut in the current match fee of $14,000 per Test as long as equal trims are made in other areas. ‘If it is to take pay cuts or get paid less based on performance you do it because we are all driving in the same direction,’ Genia said.
Wallabies coach Ewen Mckenzie has compared the current financial crisis to the 1990s code wars, where amateur rugby players were jumping ship to join professional rugby league ranks. The player cut issue is just one of the ARU cost-savings plans that Chief executive Bill Pulver will discuss with the board on Monday. But Genia conceded that the pressure for the move will continue with poor international performances. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Changes for All Blacks
The All Blacks have made three changes to the side that beat South Africa 38-27 at Johannesburg two weeks ago. Cory Jane returns to the wing from a knee injury. This moves comes after Ben Smith was shifted to outside centre, replacing Conrad Smith, who has been granted a four month break from rugby. As for the forwards, Jeremy Thrush will replace Brodie Retallick at starting lock, while Keven Mealamu has been promoted to the starting hooker position, in place of Andrew Hore.
New Zealand are seeking a 10th straight win this year under coach Steve Hansen and a clean sweep of the Bledisloe Cup series when they face Australia in Dunedin. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Honey Badger re-signs
The Western Force have secured powerful Wallabies winger Nick Cummins for the 2014 and 201s seasons. Cummins, who has made 59 Super Rugby caps since being recruited by the Force in 2007, was excited with the decision, asserting, ‘I’ve made Perth my home over the past six years and it’s exciting to be sticking around with this bunch of blokes and developing my game where I started my Super Rugby career,’ he said.
The retention of Cummins adds to the Force’s efforts to build an explosive backline for next season. The team has added new recruits Zack Holmes and Luke Morahan and have also resigned key current members such as Jayden Hayward and emerging star Kyle Godwin. [/one_half]
