Monday’s rugby news has some Wallaby replacements, Horwill innocent, the Rebels going hard and Gatland whinging.
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Three call-ups for battered Wallabies
The Wallabies have called-up flanker George Smith, fullback Jesse Mogg and centre Ben Tapuai ahead of the second Test against the Lions. Australia suffered a shocking injury toll from the first Test, and are facing a number of imminent changes heading into Saturday’s series-decider. Pat McCabe (neck), Christian Lealiifano (concussion), Berrick Barnes (jaw) and Digby Ioane and Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) are all in serious doubt for the second Test, with scans to determine their fate early this week.
Meanwhile, Gatland has revealed that centres Jamie Roberts and Manu Tuilagi and winger Tommy Bowe may all be involved in Saturday’s second Test. The Lions’ injury concerns now centre on lock Paul O’Connell and prop Alex Corbisiero, who are being ‘treated and assessed’ for arm and calf injuries respectively.
Injury update for Wallabies: Lealiifano looks good, Barnes (also concussion) improving, AAC & Digby final call on Thurs, McCabe unlikely.
— iainpayten (@iainpayten) June 23, 2013
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Horwill cleared of stamping
And finally some good news for the injury-ravaged Australian team. Wallabies captain James Horwill will be available to play the must-win second Test after being cleared of a stamping charge last night. The 28-year-old lock was cited for trampling on Lions counterpart Alun-Wyn Jones in the third minute of Saturday’s first Test, with the Welsh second rower requiring stitches to his eye at full time.
Judicial officer Nigel Hampton could not see an intentional or deliberate action, instead finding that, ‘In an endeavour to regain his balance Horwill brought his right leg to the ground unknowing that Alun-Wyn Jones’ head was in that area.’ Horwill was extremely relieved after the late-night hearing. ‘Very happy with the result…now we can get on with football,’ he said.
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Rebels mean business
The Rebels have named their strongest available team to play the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday. Coach Damien Hill’s line-up includes new recruit Luke Burgess and is captained by Welsh number 8 Gareth Delve. The Rebels also welcome the return of Hugh Pyle and Jarrod Saffy into the starting XV, both returning from injury.
The Lions are also planning to start four members of the side which which beat Australia 23-21. Dan Lydiate, Geoff Parling, Richard Hibbard and Dan Cole are among Tuesday’s starters, with England lock Parling to take on the captaincy. ‘This game is very important to us in terms of keeping the momentum going,’ tour manager Andy Irvine said.
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Gatland unimpressed by refs
With the breakdown entitlement of a Kiwi and whinging of a Lion, coach Warran Gatland has voiced his displeasure with the performance of Chris Pollock, who was the referee for Saturday’s match. Despite the win, and later saying that he will take the decisions that went against his team ‘on the chin’, Gatland proceeded to chronicle every instance where he was unimpressed by the referee’s performance.
In his scathing attack of Pollock, Gatland asserted, ‘It’s a huge step up for referees to come in from provincial to Test rugby in terms of intensity,’ later adding, ‘I’m sure we’ll have an opportunity next week with Joubert in charge to be able to get some ball on the front foot.’
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