Friday’s rugby news has changes for the Tahs and Rebels match, some referee criticism from a Wallaby legend, McCaw hinting at retirement and a massive Six Nations suspension.
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Tahs lose Palu
The Waratahs will go into their second round Super Rugby clash against the Rebels without number 8 Wycliff Palu. While coach Michael Cheika originally named an unchanged side, Palu has now been pulled from the match with a knee injury, to be replaced by back-rower Stephen Hoiles.
Meanwhile, Luke Burgess has been propelled into the starting lineup withscrum-half Nic Stirzaker suspended for one week. As a result, second-year Rebel Ben Meehan was subsequently named in the matchday 23.
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Refs need to be accountable
Wallaby great Simon Poidevin has commented that Super Rugby refereeing should be held to a higher standard of accountability after he saw the officiating of Steve Walsh in the Waratahs-Force opening round as contributing to a less exciting match.
The stop-start nature of the match was thought to play into the hands of the Force with Poidevin saying, “It was hugely disappointing to see Steve not take action on players who were basically going down injured to slow the game down. There were about 10 [such stoppages] during the game … cynical delays, cynical injuries.”
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McCaw likely to retire post-RWC
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has strongly hinted that he will retire after this year’s World Cup in England. “Honestly, I haven’t made any final decision but probably the likelihood is I’m not going to be playing next year,” flanker McCaw said at a Crusaders training session.
McCaw currently has 137 Test caps and is set to become rugby’s most-capped international later this year, overtaking Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll (141) and Australia’s George Gregan (139). The All-Blacks veteran suggested that he would not be interested in cashing in on any lucrative overseas offers after his Test retirement. [/one_half]
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Pape banned for 10 weeks
French lock Pascal Pape has been banned from playing for 10 weeks by a Six Nations disciplinary committee after a knee in the back foul left Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip with three fractured vertebrae. The committee ruled that “the offence should be categorised at the top end of World Rugby’s scale of seriousness,” and should have warranted a red card at the time
The former French captain, 34, will miss the rest of the Six Nations tournament because of the suspension. He had already announced it would be his last Six Nations.
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