Friday’s rugby news has the shock move of Simmons to 6, Link complaining to the IRB, Timani’s French plans and some international line-up changes.
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Simmons named at blindside
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has announced the surprise selection of Rob Simmons at blindside flanker for the first time in this weekend’s match against Italy. In the only change to the starting side that lost to England last week, Simmons comes into the side as an injury replacement for Scott Fardy.
The Wallabies will now have four specialist lineout jumpers, with James Horwill and Sitaleki Timani in the second row, with Simmons and captain Ben Mowen in the backrow. ‘As we worked out at training, it gives us an excellent lineout options in attack and pressure in defence, but also gives us a really good scrum outcome in terms of generating power,’ McKenzie said. [/one_half]
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Refs targeting Aussie scrum
Ewen McKenzie has sent the IRB a lengthy complaint, demanding answers for what he believes to be unfair penalties against the Australian scrum. Link was incensed by the blatant inconsistencies in the refereeing of George Clancy during Australia’s loss to England, asserting that the Wallabies pack continues to be penalised due to previous perceptions of set-piece vulnerability.
‘It’s down to matters of consistent interpretation,’ McKenzie said. ‘I haven’t got my mind around the fact you can win your own scrum ball cleanly and you get seven scrum penalties against you and they [England] get none.’ McKenzie also emphasised that his preferred front row of James Slipper, Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander has improved throughout the season. [/one_half]
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Timani confirms departure date
Second-rower Sitaleki Timani will join French club Montpellier on December 2, the day after the Wallabies’ last Test of the Spring tour, against Wales. Timani had previously been dropped from Ewen McKenzie’s Rugby Championship squad as a departing player before being included for the Test against Argentina. He has since been a staple of the starting Australian pack.
While Timani will start against Italy, McKenzie has made a few changes to the squad, with Liam Gill, Dave Dennis and Joe Tomane coming onto the bench in place of Ben McCalman, Kane Douglas and Bernard Foley. Powerhouse hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was considered close to rejoining the Wallaby reserves but will now play against Ireland next week. [/one_half]
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England swap out front row
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has switched the entire front row for Saturday’s Test against Argentina at Twickenham. Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley and David Wilson replace Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole against the Pumas. Lancaster has also looked to add some size on the bench, with the return from concussion and injury of fellow British and Irish Lions Alex Corbisiero and Geoff Parling.
Meanwhile, France has picked a new halves combination to face the All Blacks on Saturday, with halfback Morgan Parra and five-eighth Remi Tals joining the starting side. Despite the changes, France will be heavy underdogs, as the All Blacks go into the game with a record in their last 30 Tests of 28 victories, one defeat and one draw. [/one_half]
