Friday’s rugby news has Pulver talking up the Super 18 financials, the Hurricanes weary of Folau, JOC’s World Cup aspirations challenged and a Brumbies departure.
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Pulver defends Super 18
Bill Pulver has rubbished claims that the ARU is on track to exhaust its cash reserves, with some reports claiming that professional rugby could be dead in Australia by 2020. Pulver believes that the new Super 18 model is the best chance of survival, with incremental revenue growth thought to result from the new broadcasting agreement.
The alternative Australia- New Zealand model would aim to keep matches within a consistent time-zone. Pulver reiterated the ARU’s revenue concerns, adding, “RUPA is saying ‘walk away from South Africa’. South Africa contribute nearly 50 per cent of the broadcasting revenue.” [/one_half]
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Hurricanes laud Folau
The Hurricanes believe that limiting the impact of Israel Folau will be vital to their chances in Saturday’s match, but coach Mark Hammett has conceded that the team are realistic about the likely effect of the Wallaby star. “He’ll have times when he gets on top of us,” Hammett said. “It’s important that we can live with that and deal with that and hopefully our attacking game comes out on top.”
The Hurricanes have a few exciting attacking threats of their own, with All Blacks Conrad Smith, Julian Savea and Cory Jane leading the team to the most running metres per game of any Super Rugby side (518m), just ahead of than the Waratahs (499m). [/one_half]
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JOC offered World Cup life-line
While ARU boss Bill Pulver has backed Ewen McKenzie’s stance that he would not try to convince Super Rugby Clubs to sign James O’Connor before the World Cup, he has confirmed that the former Wallaby would still be considered if he was only playing grade rugby. “He could come back and play for West Harbour so it becomes a question of how badly does he want it?” Pulver said.
While the move would represent a significant pay cut, JOC would fulfill the ARU’s requirement that Wallabies are competing domestically. [/one_half]
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Andrew Smith to Munster
Brumbies centre Andrew Smith will be joining Munster on a one-year deal at the end of the Super Rugby season. Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald held the 43-capped Brumby in high regard, saying, “We are delighted to have secured the services of a player of his calibre for next season.”
Smith played with the ACT franchise for five years but injuries over the past two seasons and the development of Tevita Kuridrani have seen his hopes for a regular starting spot slip away.
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