Friday’s rugby news has Beale dropped, some speculation about Wallaby relations, Cooper starting again and more injuries for the English side.
[one_half last=”no”]
Beale axed
Kurtley Beale has been dropped for the Wallabies’ final Rugby Championship match against Argentina, just after an internal investigation was launched concerning an in-flight argument with a member of team management. Ewen McKenzie has put six forwards on the bench, with scrumhalf Nic White and winger Rob Horne as the only two replacement backs.
Horne was said to be preferred due to the expected physicality of the match but the Wallabies will miss the versatility that Beale brings to the bench. In two starting changes, James Horwill replaces concussed lock Rob Simmons, while Scott Higginbotham is promoted for the injured Ben McCalman at 8.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Wallabies tensions speculated
The Beale incident has led to some investigation of Di Patston, the Wallaby team member involved, whose precise role in McKenzie’s set-up remains a mystery. Patston is seemingly set up in an all-encompassing team manager role, covering the management of the full playing squad and staff, the team budget, finance and logistics and disciplinary matters.
A major contention amongst the players has been the offering of psychological support to the players, with many Wallabies believing that this is her role within the team structure. There are also some questions about her past qualifications which will no doubt surface in the coming days.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Cooper to start this weekend
Quade Cooper will start for the Brisbane City in Friday’s NRC match against the Greater Sydney Rams. This will be Cooper’s first start since mid-May following shoulder and hip surgery, after the former Wallaby 10 survived last week’s appearance off the bench.
City coach Nick Stiles emphasised that Cooper’s game time is still being strictly managed. “It is just a step-by-step progression for him,” Stiles said. “He played the 20 minutes last week and he will definitely play at least 40 minutes tomorrow night.”
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
England hit with injuries
Stuart Lancaster’s side has suffered a horror injury run ahead of their extensive upcoming tour which features tests against the All-Blacks, South Africa, Australia and Samoa.
Lancaster will be without forwards Alex Corbisiero (shoulder), Mako Vunipola (knee), Dan Cole (neck), Tom Youngs (shoulder), Geoff Parling (concussion) and Ed Slater (knee). The latest setback is the neck injury to Exeter flanker Tom Johnson, who will be out for 3 months.
[/one_half]
