Friday’s rugby news has possible returning Wallabies, selection shifts for the Tahs, injuries for the Reds and NZ dismissing any changed eligibility.
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Newly eligible Wallabies lauded
In the wake of the relaxation of Wallaby eligibility rules, Phil Waugh has backed 34-year-old George Smith to be included in the World Cup team. Although Australia will have Michael Hooper and David Pocock available for selection, Waugh emphasized, “He’s such a good guy to have in your team. If you turn around in the changing room, and you see George Smith there, you get a lot of comfort.”
Toulon winger Drew Mitchell, himself a beneficiary of the new rules, also lauded the skills of team-mate Matt Giteau. “The fact he is not only playing here, but frankly dominating it for a number of years … he not only would be able to handle test rugby, he’d add a great deal of value in the World Cup squad,” Mitchell said. Giteau will have to contend with the current Wallaby playmakers Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano, Matt Toomua, and Kurtley Beale to find a spot though.
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NSW tinker with pack
The Waratas have made a number of changes to their forward pack ahead of this week’s match against the Rebels at ANZ Stadium. Captain Dave Dennis will shift to no.8, with Wycliff Palu to come off the bench. Mitchell Chapman and Tatafu Polota-Nau have also been promoted to the starting team, moving Pat McCutcheon and Tolu Latu to the bench.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s hopes of an upset have been rocked by the loss of leading forward Luke Jones. The second-rower failed to recover for the match after showing symptoms of concussion following last week’s bruising win over the Brumbies. Jones has been replaced in the starting line-up by Cadeyrn Neville, while Tom English was dropped to make way for Dom Shipperley on the wing.
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More injuries for Reds
The Reds continue to lose their starters to injury, with fullback Karmichael Hunt ruled out of the Anzac Round fixture against the Hurricanes because of an adductor issue. While Hunt will only be out for a week, Reds coach Richard Graham emphasized the effect of the injury on the code-hopper’s development. “It’s certainly disappointing to lose him at this stage, trying to build some continuity certainly with him and his performances,” Graham said
Hunt’s injury led to a reshuffle of the Reds backline, with Lachie Turner switching to full-back and Chris Feauai-Sautia moving from outside centre to the wing. Prop Ben Daley is also set to miss an extended period with a dislocated shoulder.Daley suffered the injury when a scrum collapsed during a training session on Thursday morning. The pair join the likes of Quade Cooper (scapula), Jake Schatz (elbow) and Curtis Browning (knee) on the sidelines.
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NZ dismiss change in policy
The NZRU said Thursday they had no plans to emulate Australia and relax eligibility rules so overseas-based players can represent the All Blacks. Defending World Cup champions New Zealand face a similar post-tournament exodus, with at least 10 All Blacks heading offshore – including Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Colin Slade.
“Our view has been, for a very long time, that one of the key planks in our ability to retain our players in New Zealand, and for us to continue to have a system where we produce talent, we need to have our top players playing in New Zealand,” NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said. In recent years, New Zealand players have taken advantage of flexible “sabbatical” clauses in their contracts to either take up well-paid club contracts or have a break from the game to freshen up.
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