Friday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper straight back into the starting side, QRU committee formed, Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau close to Wallabies recall and Dylan Hartley suspended.
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Quade to Start
Quade Cooper has been named in the starting side to play the Western Force this weekend after returning from a two month injury lay-off.
Lachie Turner also returns to the starting side after missing last weekend’s match with concussion.
“Quade was given the all clear 10 days ago but we wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn’t compromise his return,” said Richard Graham.
“He has been training with the squad now for about three weeks and will have no problems returning to play at this level.
“Jake McIntyre will drop to the bench. He has done a good job over the past two weeks. He will take a lot of learnings from two very different games and he should take some confidence from how he has managed the team around the field.”
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QRU Committee Formed
Queensland Rugby Union have announced that a committee has been created to provide recommendations to the QRU Board at the conclusion of the 2015 Super Rugby season.
The committee is headed by former Wallaby Damien Frawley and could determine the fate of Richard Graham’s future as coach of the side.
Previous outcomes of the ongoing review have included the appointment of Brad Thorn as Reds Elite Development Squad Forwards Coach, Damian Marsh as Head of Athletic Performance and the re-signing of Nick Stiles as Senior Assistant Coach.
The recommendations of the review will be presented to the QRU Board in the second half of June.
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Giteau, Mitchell Close to Wallabies Recall
Former Wallaby George Smith has stated that Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau are “very close to getting a recall” following strong performances for Toulon.
“I think the Australia Rugby Union have shown some good forward-thinking decisions there with the new criteria to come in,” Smith said.
“To play 60 Test matches is not an easy challenge to achieve in Australia.
“And to have the long service as Wallabies who do meet that criteria I think it’s great they are rewarded with an opportunity to play overseas but also keep that connection with the Wallabies.”
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Hartley Suspended
English hooker Dylan Hartley, 29, has been suspended for four weeks after he headbutted Saracens’ Jamie George. This means Hartley will miss the opening match of the Rugby World Cup if he is selected in England’s final squad.
The suspension could be costly for Hartley’s World Cup chances as England coach Stuart Lancaster may not want to risk having a player suspended during the World Cup, especially considering Hartley’s track record.
Hartley has been banned for 50 weeks in total, including a 26-week suspension for eye-gouging in 2007 and an eight-week ban for biting in 2012. He also missed the 2013 Lions tour for abusing referee Wayne Barnes.
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MORE NEWS: The appeals for Will Skelton and Tolu Latu were heard last night with both appeals being dismissed. This means Will Skelton will still be unable to play in South Africa.
