Friday’s Rugby News: Shock leadership changes all round for the Brumbies and Wallabies, IRB not impressed with the PRL.
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All change at Wallaby central
In surprising developments during the team announcement, James Horwill has been relieved of the captaincy to allow him to concentrate on his own game, with Ben Mowen taking over the captain’s armband. Probably the greater surprise was the announcement of Quade Cooper as the vice captain, in preference to Will Genia, Stephen Moore and Adam Ashley-Cooper, all of whom have filled the position before.
With Rob Simmons injured, the wish of many G&GR pundits comes true, with Sitaleki Timani starting in the second row with James Horwill. Nick Cummins returns on the wing and Matt Toomua remains at No.12, after his performance in Dunedin.
IRB speaks out on PRL
IRB CEO Bernard Lapasset, who has until now kept out of the infighting over the proposed English and French breakaway from the Heineken Cup, broke his silence to say the clubs had been too aggressive and had gone too far in their efforts.
When asked about the seeming confidence of the new venture that the IRB would approve, Lapasset commented ‘Such confidence is in the English DNA. I know that the English are extremely lucid behind this confident exterior. They are pragmatic people and know very well what the decision should be.’
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Brumbies settle on two top dogs
We now know why it took a week longer than planned to announce the new Brumbies coaching set up. They couldn’t pick just one coaching leader, so they’ve gone for two. Stephen Larkham (all hail the great man) will become head coach and Laurie Fisher will become director of rugby.
Fisher’s role will include running the overall high performance programme as well as coaching and picking the forwards. Larkham will be in charge of rugby, recruitment, attack and selecting the backline. They have both signed two year deals.
Laurie said ‘Stephen and myself, what we want for the organisation is more than what we want for ourselves. It really is about the team first and a model that allows the Brumbies to be successful.’
There’s no doubt these two guys bleed Brumby blood and know their stuff, the question is whether the organisation can go from a clear leader creating great success to ruling by committee.
From the outhouse to the penthouse
What a difference a year makes. Among the other changes in the Wallabies, Quade Cooper emerged with the letters (vc) beside his name. Cooper was reportedly speechless when notified of the appointment.
“It’s one of those things where you are a bit speechless, you don’t really know what to say and you just accept it.” he told reporters
The contrast with James O’Connor, currently cooling his heels in the Exiles clubhouse while begging for a ticket to watch the Wallabies at Twickenham, is stark, considering one was the pariah of Australian rugby a year ago, and the other could do no wrong in the coaches eyes. Remember G&GR predicted this! If you haven’t heard it, check the last podcast on the right for the boys’ reasoning.
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