Monday’s rugby news has David Pocock signing with Japanese club, Women’s sevens team crowned champions, Mike Harris injured and All Blacks squad named.
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Pocock to Japan
David Pocock has signed a three year deal with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights where he will be reunited with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Pocock will join the club after Wallabies duties at the end of this year before taking a break from Super Rugby in 2017. He will then join the club again at the end of 2017 and then again after the 2019 World Cup.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Robbie (Deans) and Berrick (Barnes) again,” Pocock said.
“When George Smith came back from Japan in 2012 he had added a few things to his game that we talked about quite a bit, so I’m keen to use the time over there to work on various aspects of my game.
“Playing with the Wild Knights will hopefully give me a chance to practice new skills and experience a different style of rugby.
“I really appreciate the opportunity the ARU have offered me to stay in the Australian rugby union set up. My goal is to continue to improve and be at my best in 2019.”
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Women’s 7’s Champions
The Australian Women’s Sevens team have become the World Sevens Series champions overnight.
The team had to win the Cup quarter final to put the series beyond doubt. They made it all the way to the final before falling to Canada to finish 2nd in the tournament.
“It’s been the product of three years of hard work which has culminated in this World Series win. It’s really valuable for us as we prepare for Rio,” said head coach Tim Walsh.
“I’m really proud of the team and we’re so grateful for the support we have had from friends and family all over the world.
“Were we nervous going into the game? Nothing really phases this group – they’re a class bunch of players and as the sport grows and grows the pressure on them will only grow. I really think we can handle the pressure.”
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Harris Injured
Mike Harris has remained in Melbourne and will not join the Wallabies 39 man squad after injuring his hamstring against the Western Force yesterday afternoon.
“It’s a new hamstring injury on the other leg (to what was injured earlier in the season),” coach Tony McGahan said.
“Mike’s a very level-headed guy and takes things as they come, but he’ll be bitterly disappointed.
“He’s worked hard to get back in to this position, he’s moved down here and his rugby has continued to improve.
“He’s been a big influence on what we’re doing and the Australian selectors saw enough in him to make sure he was in.”
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All Blacks Name Squad
The All Blacks have named a 32 man squad including 6 uncapped players to take on Wales in the June international series.
Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu, Ardie Savea, Highlanders, Elliot Dixon, Liam Square and Ofa Tu’ungafasi are the newcomers in the squad.
Number eight Kieran Reid has been named captain whilst Ben Smith has been named vice captain.
Squad: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Of a Tu’ungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire
Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Charlie Ngatai, Seta Tamanivalu, Israel Dagg, Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith (vc)
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