Friday’s rugby news has Pulver saying no to sabbaticals, a new and improved Rob Horne, Rebels sign Dom Shipperley and England and All Blacks name their teams.
[one_half last=”no”]
Pulver Says No to Sabbaticals
ARU CEO Bill Pulver has made it clear that the ARU will not change their policy on allowing players to have a sabbatical. There have been calls from several ex Wallabies and others within the rugby community to allow players to have a sabbatical to prevent a mass exodus at the end of next year’s World Cup.
“There is a lot of discussion around this but I have to be clear: I have zero appetite to change it,” Pulver said.
“Look, at the end of the day, we only want people to play rugby in Australia who want to play rugby in Australia … We’re not about trying to talk anyone into staying if they don’t want to stay.
“Why would you choose Wallabies from overseas markets, which would most likely then allow a serious exit of playing talent from this country and dilute the calibre of our competition? … That’s not what we want to do with the game in Australia.”[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
New and Improved Rob Horne
Rob Horne says he is ready for the challenge after he was named on the bench for the Wallabies against France this weekend for the first time since the British and Irish Lions series last year.
“I went away and worked extremely hard,” Horne said.
“I know that is something everyone says, but I improved my fitness out of sight.
“This is the best I have felt. The past few seasons I have really enjoyed my footy, and I fully believe it has contributed to getting my fitness up and playing the way I like to play.”[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Rebels Sign Shipperly
Another day, another signing for the Rebels. This time Queensland Reds winger Dom Shipperley has signed a 2 year deal with the club. Shipperley became a Wallaby in 2012 after a successful Super Rugby season with the Reds. He joins fellow Reds players Jonah Placid and Mike Harris as the latest Reds players to go to Melbourne.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan was pleased with yet another signing.
“We are absolutely delighted to secure Dom’s signature … To sign a quality player like Dom, a Wallaby and a very experienced Super Rugby player with the ability to influence games, is fantastic. As well, he is a quality person; it’s a huge signing for the Club, and a great player for our members to be watching come next season” he said. [/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
All Blacks and England Name Teams
New Zealand and England have named their teams ahead of this weekend’s clash in Hamilton. The All Blacks have made a couple of changes from the team that defeated England by one point last weekend. Kieran Read returns to the starting team after several weeks out with a head injury. Jerome Kaino moves to blindside flanker whilst Liam Messam moves to the bench. In the midfield Malakai Fekitoa will make his starting debut in replace of the injured Conrad Smith.
England have made several changes. Billy Vunipola replaces Ben Morgan at number eight. Courtney Lawes comes back into the starting side. Manu Tuilagi moves back to outside centre whilst Chris Ashton comes onto the wing. At flyhalf, Freddie Burns replaces the injured Owen Farrell whilst Ben Youngs and Kyle Eastmond also come into the side. [/one_half]
