Monday’s rugby news has five players called up into the Wallabies squad, Will Genia eyes 2019 World Cup, Christian Lealiifano to possibly move into coaching and Michael Hooper wins fourth consecutive Matt Burke Cup.
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Players Called Up
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has called up five players in the Wallabies 33 man squad to replace Adam Ashley-Cooper (France), Matt GIteau (ankle), Rob Horne (shoulder), Ben McCalman (shoulder), Matt Toomua (concussion).
Rory Arnold, Kyle Godwin, Luke Morahan, Sefa Naivalu, Henry Speight will join the squad in preparation for the Wallabies test match against the Springboks this weekend.
Sefa Naivalu doesn’t become eligible for Wallabies selection until September 18, the day after the Wallabies test match in Perth.
Meanwhile, Kyle Godwin has become official included in the Wallabies squad for the first time since the 2014 Spring Tour
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Genia Eyes 2019
Will Genia has set his sights on the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Genia is currently playing in France and the 68 test halfback will be 31 in 2019.
“These past two Tests have reinforced to me I still have the drive to stay in top shape and the hunger to keep playing for the 2019 World Cup,” Genia said.
“When you are playing for a club in Paris you are so removed from the bubble of Australian rugby the thrill is almost more special when you get the chance to wear the Wallabies jersey again.
“I’ve every confidence I can contribute in a positive way and I want to win whether it’s big trophies or a Test next weekend.”
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Lealiifano to Coach
Christian Lealiifano has expressed interest in joining the Brumbies coaching staff if illness forces him to retire or put his playing career on hold.
“If Christian can’t play we’d certainly love him to do a bit of the coaching stuff and potentially with the back line,” said Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
“He’s got some long-term plans to go into coaching so we may dabble with that. But we have to wait and see what happens and how he recovers.
“I think it would be great to have him around the team in some sort of capacity. But that will depend on how Christian feels more than anything else.”
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Hooper Wins 4th Cup
Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper has won his fourth consecutive Matt Burke Cup as NSW’s player of the year.
Hooper (297 votes) edged out fellow teammates Israel Folau (243), Nick Phipps (242) and Kurtley Beale (158) to take the top award.
Hooper also won the member’s choice award.
Other award winners included Israel Folau (best back), Jed Holloway (best forward), Tom Robertson (Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah), Nick Phipps (Waratah medal) and Ryan McCauley (David Dennis NSW u20’s player of the year).
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