Monday’s rugby news has the All Blacks and Wallabies winning the opening matches of the Rugby Championship, Will Genia and Rob Horne injured, Quade Cooper to stay in Australia and All Blacks drop big names for South African tour.
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Wallabies, All Blacks Win
Both the Wallabies and the All Blacks have opened their Rugby Championship campaigns with a win after defeating South Africa and Argentina respectively.
The All Blacks defeated the Puma’s in Christchurch with a four try bonus point winning 39-18 whilst the Wallabies came from behind to steal the win from the Springboks 24-20 in Brisbane.
Despite the win, David Pocock was viewing the match as a loss.
“There’s plenty to learn,” Pocock said.
“In many ways I guess it’s a bit like we’ll be reviewing it like a loss. I think it’s crucial we start winning those close games, but having said that there’s plenty to work to on.”
“There will be a lot to improve on … They got a number of turnovers … we turned the ball over at crucial times. It was pleasing to get the win but we’re under no illusions that we’ve got a long way to go.”
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Genia, Horne Injured
Will Genia and Rob Horne have been ruled out of next weekend’s match against Argentina while Nick Cummins and Nic White have been named as their replacements.
Genia suffered bone bruising and minor cartilage damage to his knee and will undergo minor surgery this week whilst Horne will return to Sydney with a calf strain.
“It’s disappointing for Will and Rob to miss this upcoming Test. They have both made an outstanding contribution to the group this past two weeks, and will continue to remain part of the wider squad from afar,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
“Will is due to have some minor surgery this week and we are confident he will be available for selection for the Bledisloe Cup series.
“We have taken a conservative approach with Rob and the additional week off will serve him well going into the next stage of our campaign.”
James Hanson and Tetera Faulkner have also been added to the Wallabies 31 man squad to tour to Argentina.
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Cooper to Stay
Quade Cooper will reportedly pay his exit fee from his contract with Toulon for a four-year deal to remain in Australian rugby.
Cooper will not play for the Reds next year as it looks increasingly likely he will make the move to Rugby Sevens for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
It is believed Cooper will focus on the 10 World Series Sevens tournaments that Australia play between December and May before the Olympics in August which the Men’s Sevens team is yet to qualify for.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was pleased with Cooper’s performance against South Africa including the flick pass which almost ended up with South Africa scoring.
“Tevita takes that ball, he’s away. There’s no way I’m ever going to tell a player not to do that because (with Cooper) he can do it and he made the pass,” Cheika said.
“Tevita was probably shocked that it came his way because it was an incredible ball. If you get that in the hands, we score at the other end of the field on halftime.
“The lad practices that pass at training. He thought it was on and it was.
“Overall it was a pretty nice job from Quade. There’s stuff to work on for sure for all of us.”
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All Blacks Drop Big Names
Dan Carter and Sonny Bill-Williams have been rested for the All Blacks match against South Africa.
The All Blacks will also be without winger Waisake Naholo who suffered a broken leg in his Test debut, ruling him out for the rest of the year.
“Firstly, we have picked experienced players who are well aware of the challenge of playing South Africa at home,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“Secondly, we want to give some other players the opportunity to see how they cope under the extreme pressure of playing South Africa; and thirdly, we took into consideration the fact that some players in the squad could do with having a break for various reasons, so they will be staying home to freshen up.”
All Blacks Squad: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala and Tony Woodcock, James Broadhurst, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, TJ Perenara Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea and Ben Smith.
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