Friday’s rugby news has all the fallout from the squad announcement , including the fly-half situation, captaincy rumbles, Gill’s disappointment and in international news, a signing blitz from Leicester.
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Beale in backline shakeup
Kurtley Beale could be poised to wear the Wallabies number 10 jersey again after Ewen McKenzie announced his inclusion in the Test squad as a flyhalf rather than at inside centre, where he has been playing for NSW. Fellow Waratah Bernard Foley was announced as the only competing option at 10 after the forced injury withdrawal of Quade Cooper, with expected replacement Brumbies five-eighth Matt Toomua deliberately marked as a centre option.
Speaking of Beale’s Test resurgence, McKenzie said, “He’s a very important player there [NSW] and I know what he’s capable of, and I know the No.10 position is near and dear to him, so he’ll be very keen to stake a claim.” [/one_half]
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Hooper for captain?
While Ewen McKenzie will not reveal Ben Mowen’s replacement at captain until the 32-man squad enters camp on June 1, the Australian coach has admitted that Michael Hooper has all the qualities he is looking for to build a new Wallabies dynasty. “The guy’s already won the John Eales Medal; let’s not worry about age,” McKenzie said of the ultra-consistent Hooper. “In the end, it’s about respect and I think he commands respect from his peers.”
If Hooper is chosen over the competition of Stephen Moore, Will Genia and James Horwill, he will be the youngest Wallabies captain in almost 70 years. McKenzie also emphasised the priority of picking a captain that will be there to lead the team to the World Cup. [/one_half]
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Gill promises return to Test squad
Liam Gill has vowed to return to the Australian team after being left out of Thursday’s squad announcement. The plummeting standard of play at the Reds would have made Gill’s selection much harder to justify, with only James Horwill, Will Genia, James Slipper and Rob Simmons cracking the 32 man squad.
“Fringe players in a losing team just weren’t going to get picked,” 15-Test forward Gill said, adding that regardless, “I didn’t think I’d given the coach enough reasons to pick me.” Gill will now look forward to grudge matches against squad members Matt Hodgson and Michael Hooper in the next two weeks. [/one_half]
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Leicester announce signings
Leicester has initiated a signing blitz, announcing the addition of five international players to their franchise, including England international fly-half Freddie Burns. The Gloucester 10 will be joined at Leicester by Italy’s first-choice hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, Azzurri back-rower Robert Barbieri, Fiji playmaker Seremaia Bai and Tongan-born former Japan centre Christian Loamanu.
The signing of Burns was key to replace Toulon-bound Toby Flood. But director of rugby Richard Cockerill has said, “They are all good players who will strengthen the squad.” [/one_half]
