Friday’s Rugby News sees fake news, Kuridrani rested, a World Cup bid, and a shakeup for the Bulls
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Thor’s Fake News
Australia’s rugby news was awash with news of a player revolt lead by Taniela Tupou’s defence of Israel Folau only it didn’t actually happen. It was sensationalism at its worst.
Tupou actually came out in defence of his skipper Samu Kerevi whose easter message was misinterpreted by a few special individuals as some kind of defence of Folaus anti-gay stance.
Here is Samu’s original post. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I love you Jesus.
Nothing wrong with that right? Even us heathens have nothing to say about a religious guy posting that over Easter but still, we live in a world where someone, with nothing better to do, will complain about just about anything.
Kerevi apologised if he’d caused any offence. I’ve got to say he’s a bigger man than me. I wouldn’t have. He’d done nothing wrong.
Anyway.
Tupou spoke up, here’s what he said.
“Seriously,” “Might as well sack me and all the other Pacific Islands rugby players around the world because we have the same Christian beliefs.
“I will never apologise for my faith and what I believe in, religion had [sic] got nothing to do with rugby anyways #TYJ.”
There is nothing in this story and blowing it out of proportion helps no one except the guy trying to sell papers. let it go.
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Ikitau Debuts Kuridrani Rests
For the first time this year, Tevita Kuridrani isn’t starting for the Brumbies. My source from the capital tells me Tevita has a slight medial ligament strain and maybe the Brumbies are taking this opportunity to rest him for the big show.
The good news out of all this is BBC product Len Ikitau’s chance to shine in the big show. It’s always good to see a Queensland boy do good.
Ikitau is one of three changes from the side that took to the field in Buenos Aires last week. Scrumhalf Joe Powell and midfielder Irae Simone return to the starting XV, with Tom Wright and local product Ryan Lonergan named amongst the replacements.
James Slipper gets the nod to start at prop along with Allan Alaalatoa and hooker Folau Fainga’a in the front row, along with Rory Arnold and Sam Carter continuing as the lock pairing following some excellent set-piece work against the Jaguares in Argentina.
The same starting loose forward trio continues from their strong performances on tour, including a first start at GIO Stadium for Jahrome Brown, the flanker having emerged as a genuine threat since his introduction to Super Rugby, alongside Tom Cusack and Pete Samu to complete the forward pack.
Powell reforms his halfback partnership with Christian Lealiifano, who captains the team and needs one-point to bring up 900 Super Rugby career points, with Simone and Ikitau combining in midfield.
Out wide, speedsters Toni Pulu and Henry Speight will link with fullback Tom Banks.
TEAM
- James Slipper
- Folau Fainga’a
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Rory Arnold
- Sam Carter
- Tom Cusack
- Jahrome Brown
- Pete Samu
- Joe Powell
- Christian Lealiifano (c)
- Toni Pulu
- Irae Simone
- Len Ikitau
- Henry Speight
- Tom Banks
REPLACEMENTS
- Connal McInerney
- Scott Sio
- Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
- Darcy Swain
- Murray Douglas
- Ryan Lonergan
- Tom Wright
- Andy Muirhead
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2027 World Cup Bid
Rugby Australia today announced they are scoping a bid for the 2027 world cup hosting rights. The Aussie government is helping out with a bit of cash before the official bid process starts in mid 2020 finishing up around November 2021.
I’m usually not a fan of these things. They seem to be a mechanism for taking public money and putting it in private hands. But I’m okay with this… So far. World Rugby isn’t the IOC. And the Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world.
The 2015 RWC in England generated economic output of around £2.3B, contributed an additional £1.1B to GDP, created 34,000 jobs and attracted 400,000 tourists.
The tournament had an estimated global TV audience of over 4 billion viewers.
Modelling for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will take place in Japan between 20 September 2019 and 2 November 2019 estimates that the 44-day Rugby World Cup 2019 will generate a record total output of around £2.97 billion for the Japanese economy, attract up to 400,000 international visitors and support up to 25,000 jobs.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “Rugby Australia is most grateful and extremely pleased to receive this support from the Australian Government for our foundation planning phase. As a country, we are fortunate to have strong support from governments that recognise the importance of hosting major events and what they can deliver, which was recognised in the Sports 2030 Plan and Sports Diplomacy 2030 Plan.
“We were fortunate to receive strong support last year from the Australian Government for our Women’s Rugby World Cup Bid and we welcome the support provided today which will enable us to undertake important scoping work this year, in partnership with Australian Government agencies, around the viability and strategy for a bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“The Rugby World Cup is one of the greatest sporting events in the world and is known for bringing fans from many different countries for a celebration of everything that is great about Rugby.
“Australia is a great sporting nation and hosting RWC 2027 would be another proud chapter in Australia’s rich sporting history of delivering global major events. We look forward to working with Australian Government agencies over the coming months before the official process kicks off next year.”
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Kriel Out For Waratahs Clash.
The Bulls have lost two key backs for their clash against the under pressure Waratahs. Jesse Kriel and Jade Stighling are both missing after the Bulls 23-22 defeat to the Stormers last weekend.
Wings Cornal Hendricks and Rosko Specman come into a radically rejigged backline. The Bulls, unfortunately for the Tahs, are unchanged. For the Waratahs the big news is the return of test prop Tom Robertson after what seems years in team rehab.
Meanwhile, Ned Hanigan will start in the unfamilar No 8 jersey for the understrength Waratahs.
NSW are without the suspended Jed Holloway and injured quartet Jack Dempsey, Michael Wells, Tolu Latu and Rory O’Connor.
BULLS (15-1): Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal, Rosko Specman, Handre Pollard (c), Ivan van Zyl, Duane Vermeulen, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehan Herbst, Thembelani Bholi, Paul Schoeman, Andre Warner, Manie Libbok, Dylan Sage
WARATAHS (15-1): Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes
Reserves: Andrew Tuala, Tom Robertson, Chris Talakai, Hugh Sinclair, Will Miller, Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome
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