Monday’s rugby news has Giteau glad to be under a new coach, Japan on schedule for 2016, the All Blacks team selected and Wales playing a tough warm-up.
[one_half last=”no”]
Giteau praises Cheika
Matt Giteau has emphasised how glad he is to be playing under Michael Cheika, revealing that he has not spoken with Robbie Deans since the former Wallabies coach left the playmaker out of the 2011 World Cup team. Giteau’s comments come after Quade Cooper said that he also didn’t feel supported by Dean’s during the tournament.
“Now I have a coach who believes in me, my teammates, we all believe in each other, and so I feel a lot more confident,” Cooper said. Giteau will now be able to play his third World Cup after being brought back from France by Cheika, taking advantage of the ARU’s unprecedented laws on overseas-based inclusion.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Japan on track for Super Rugby
The Japan RFU have tried to minimize SANZAR’s fears in their Super Rugby preparations, asserting that a sufficient number of players will be contracted in time. SANZAR has been said to be drawing up contingency plans for a 2016 competition where Japan were excluded from their position as the 18th team.
JRFU general secretary Noriyuki Sakamoto emphasised the difficulties that have been created by trying to contract players involved in World Cup duties. “I can’t imagine they will take it off us after all we’ve done,” Sakamato said. “In hindsight, we probably should have managed our time better. If someone says we weren’t prepared enough we may not be able to refute that.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
NZ stars left out
Reigning world champions New Zealand have announced their 31-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Israel Dagg and Cory Jane among those to miss out. Lima Sopoaga is also absent but winger Waisake Naholo, who broke his leg on his Test debut against Argentina in July, has been included in a squad led by Richie McCaw.
“We believe we have selected players with the right mix of experience, x-factor, determination and mental strength,” coach Steve Hansen said. Another issue in the squad is the shortage of specialist locks, with Hansen naming only three- Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano- to accommodate the six loose forwards picked.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Wales defeat Ireland
Leigh Halfpenny has kicked Wales to a 16-10 victory over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in a bruising World Cup preparation game that took its toll on both sets of players. After being blown away by the Six Nations champions in Cardiff three weeks ago, vastly different teams appeared, with Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate and Alun Wyn Jones especially strong.
“We got the win and there are still a few bits to work on so that’s a pretty good place to be,” Jones said, emphasising the team’s difficulties at scrum time which allowed an Irish try before half-time. The Welsh squad will be named on Monday and the team will play their final World Cup warm-up in Saturday’s clash with Italy in Cardiff.
[/one_half]
