Friday’s rugby news has a major ARU re-signing, more Reds drama, some discontent with the kicking squad and SBW back with the Chiefs.
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Hooper re-signs
Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper has re-signed with the ARU and Waratahs until the end of 2018. The 23-year-old back-rower led the Wallabies throughout the 2014 Test season after hooker Stephen Moore was injured just five minutes into his first Test as skipper. He also led the Waratahs to a maiden Super Rugby title with Dave Dennis injured.
“I am just stoked to be in this position,” he said. “To be able to stay here in Australia allows me represent my country, state, club, and all of the people who have supported me since I began playing rugby as a junior.”
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Reds involved in ‘skirmish’
Reports are coming out that during the Reds 24-3 loss last week, Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael was involved in an ugly confrontation with a junior rugby club official which required the intervention of stadium security officials.
“It was two blokes having a strong conversation about how I’m going as a CEO. It happens all the time and that was the start and the end of it,” Carmichael said, although a spectator has said that there was plenty of pushing and shoving that started over criticism of the QRU’s commitment to junior rugby.
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Cheika criticises kicking set-up
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has said that the role of goal-kicking coach Damien Hill is being reviewed in the wake of the poor form of Australia’s top goal-kickers at Super Rugby level this year. Five of the bottom six teams in terms of goalkicking percentages came from the Australian conference, with no team kicking above 70 per cent for the year.
“At the moment the union has had Damien Hill, who has been doing the kicking for the Wallaby and ARU program in general, and I will make decision on what’s going to happen with kicking going forward in the next couple of weeks, before the [Rugby Championshop and RWC] camps start,” Cheika said.
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SBW returns
Sonny Bill Williams will make his long-awaited return to rugby and take his place at inside centre for the Chiefs’ clash with the Hurricanes this weekend. Williams has been absent for six weeks after sustaining a nagging back injury but the All Black will bolster his side’s backline at the perfect time.
The Chiefs can clinch fourth spot on the Super Rugby standings with a win in New Plymouth, earning a home match in the first week of the playoffs and avoiding a trip to South Africa or Australia. With All Black flanker Sam Cane taking his second pre-arranged break, Japan captain Michael Leitch will shift to flanker while Ma’ama Vaipulu will wear the No.8 jersey.
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