Friday’s rugby news has Toomua back at 12, some Rebel reinforcements, big wraps for Naiyaravoro and Ireland pushing for World Cup hosting duties.
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Toomua returns at 12
Matt Toomua will make his return to the starting side at inside-centre for the Brumbies’ vital clash with the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday. Toomua’s placement in the centres will keep Christian Leali’ifano at fly-half while Robbie Coleman moves to the bench. The Brumbies have struggled in Toomua’s absence and will be hoping to get their first win in three matches
In the only other change to the side, Australian U20 Allan Alaalatoa replaces South African-born JP Smith in the front row. Alaalatoa has featured heavily off the bench this season and played the bulk of last week’s game at loosehead, but Saturday’s start provides the young prop with an opportunity to anchor the scrum which was heavily penalised in their last outing against the Stormers.
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Big-3 return for Rebels
Three internationals return to the Rebels’ matchday 23 this week, as coach Tony McGahan named his side to face the Reds on Friday. Wallaby backrower Sean McMahon and All Black centre Tamati Ellison have been injected straight into the starting lineup after each missing last week’s 42-22 win against the Blues with minor injuries, while Wallaby tighthead prop Laurie Weeks is named on the bench after recovering from a knee injury sustained in Round Seven.
All three will be important additions to the 6 and 5 Rebels squad, who need another win against the Reds to keep their finals hopes alive. “Sean, Tamati and Laurie are all important members of our squad and each of them bring unique Rugby experience and great enthusiasm,” McGahan said
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Naiyaravoro pushing Test selection
Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is being sized up for a Wallabies jersey by national coach Michael Cheika. “It would be naive of me not to have a look at him,” Cheika said on Thursday night. “You’d have to say he’s right up there. He’s a profile that we don’t have, that big type of winger.”
Naiyaravoro is now free to tour South Africa with the Tahs after resolving visa issues that had previously prevented him from travelling to New Zealand with the Super Rugby champions. While enthused by his potential, Cheika warned that he was far from the finished product, saying the 120kg winger still had a lot to learn about rugby at the top level.
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BOD leads World Cup bid
Brian O’Driscoll will be the face of Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The former Ireland captain and world’s most capped player has been named as bid ambassador, which will see him undertake a largely lobbying role. France, Italy and South Africa are also in the running to stage the tournament and countries have until the middle of next month to express an interest.
‘This is a very exciting opportunity for Ireland and, while competition will be fierce for what is one of the most prized events in world sport, we will leave no stone unturned in putting together a world-class case for Ireland,’ said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne. This year’s Rugby World Cup is being hosted by England, while Japan has been awarded the 2019 tournament.
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