Monday’s top rugby news has a Link-Hansen showdown, more injuries for the All-Blacks, the Pumas fighting dirty and Jonothan Davies playing hard ball.
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Hansen defends shoulder charge
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has publically proclaimed that Ma’a Nonu’s shoulder charge on James Slipper should not warrant further official review. ‘We’re not playing tiddlywinks. It’s a man’s game and I think sometimes we get a wee bit carried away,’ said Hansen. Neither referee Jaco Peyper or his assistants took any action at the time and for the citing commissioner to act he would have had to adjudge Nonu’s tackle a sending off offence.
Hansen has also called out McKenzie for whinging over South African referee Jaco Peyper’s performance, which Link said made a ‘massive difference’ to the course of the match. ‘Usually you are better to just play the game get on with it and you can’t blame the ref,’ Hansen said. [/one_half]
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Injury woes for All Blacks
Hansen will have another battle on his hands, as his All Blacks are suffering a number of injury setbacks. Hansen has floated the idea of fielding a number of reserves against Argentina, but this tactic may be put on hold. ‘We’ll look at introducing a couple of guys but it will really depend on how we come through the next week. We’re battered a lot at the moment.’ Hansen said.
Fourth choice five-eighth Tom Taylor has suffered a rib injury which will sideline him for three weeks. Meanwhile, tighthead Owen Franks has sustained a groin injury, while Ma’a Nonu will have scans on a bothersome ankle, with both players in doubt for the first Test against Argentina. Hansen is hopeful Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Liam Messam will have shaken off their respective niggles in time to face the Pumas. [/one_half]
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Pumas forwards charged
Argentinean forwards Leonardo Senatore and Pablo Matera have been cited for alleged biting and eye gouging during their match against South Africa on Saturday. Eventual 22-17 winners South Africa say Senatore bit Eben Etzebeth and Matera made contact with the eyes of Francois Louw during the second half.
While referee Steve Walsh and the TMO found no evidence of foul play at the time, the citing commissioner has since deemed that both incidents had reached the red-card threshold for foul play. Both hearings will occur soon, with the IRB ban for biting ranging between 12 weeks and four years. [/one_half]
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Davies keeping options open
British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies has asserted that the Scarlets must match his ambition if he is to re-sign with Llanelli. After an impressive tour with the Lions, Davies will be in high demand from both French and English clubs.
With his contract up at the end of the season, the Scarlets’ 2013-14 captain has said, ‘If the club’s and my goals in the next few years are the same then I’ll be more than happy to stay,’ Davies said. Welsh coach Warren Gatland will be hoping that Davies does not follow the exodus of fellow players George North, Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate. [/one_half]
