Friday’s rugby news has the Aussie Sevens progressing, the Reds off to a poor start, Latu let off and Retallick injured.
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Sevens through to semis
Australia have set up a blockbuster sevens semi-final against South Africa as the men’s team continued their undefeated run in Las Vegas. After winning 26-12 in the Cup quarter-final over Argentina on Sunday, the Thunderbolts will now face their biggest challenge yet in the shape of the Blitzboks in Monday morning’s semis.
Quade Cooper, who scored his first sevens try earlier on day two of the tournament, continued his crash-course in the shortened form of the game with some flashy attack but also made a couple of defensive errors against Argentina. South Africa booked their spot in the final four by knocking New Zealand out of the tournament with a 14-7 win.
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Graham under more pressure
A tense week awaits at Ballymore after Queensland’s hollow loss to the Western Force raised fresh questions over the tenure of embattled coach Richard Graham. The rookie Reds were tipped for a dire Super Rugby campaign and those predictions appear to be right on the money following a limp 22-6 defeat to the reigning wooden spooners at Suncorp Stadium.
“From my part, I’m a businessman, and we’ve had to support a position for some time now and make the best of it because that’s the decision we came to,” chief executive Jim Carmichael said. “But in the next couple of days there will be conversations had.”
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Latu free to play on
NSW Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu has been handed a one-week ban for striking Brumbies centre Matt Toomua. Latu pleaded guilty to striking Toomua during a scuffle in the 57th minute of the Waratahs’ 32-15 loss to their local rivals in Canberra on Friday night.
But he will be free to face the Highlanders in round four after the Waratahs convinced SANZAAR that Latu was to be among a number of players to play club rugby during the franchise’s bye in round three. In handing down the decision, SANZAAR citing official Robert Stelzner said Latu’s act was at the lower threshold for foul play.
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Chiefs lose Retallick
The Waikato Chiefs have suffered a big blow ahead of their two-week tour to South Africa and Argentina with lock Brodie Retallick ruled out for up to six weeks with broken ribs. The 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year suffered the injury in a clash during the Chiefs’ shock 36-32 loss at home to Johannesburg’s Lions on Saturday.
It continues a tough run for the World Cup-winning All Black in Super Rugby, having had most of his 2015 season wiped out by shoulder injuries. The Chiefs, 1-1 after two rounds, face the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, before another long-haul flight to Buenos Aires to take on Argentine debutants Jaguares the week after.
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