Monday’s rugby news has Folau’s injury concern, Mathewson cited for stamping, Queensland seeing red after an unprecedented penalty count and Wilkinson possibly hanging up the boots.
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Folau to see specialist
The Waratahs will be sweating the results of Isreal Folau’s visit to a specialist after the Wallabies fullback sustained a knock to the throat in Friday’s 32-8 win over the Rebels. The persistent swelling is threatening to keep Folau from joining his team-mates on their trip to South Africa to face the table-topping Sharks.
Even before the results, Micheal Cheika was playing up the underdog card. ‘Obviously as table toppers, they’re the team to beat,’ he said. ‘I imagine they’d be pretty comfortable and think they’ll have our measure, I’d say.’ [/one_half]
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Mathewson suspended
Western Force halfback Alby Mathewson will miss one week after stamping on Chiefs forward Sam Cane in the third minute of his team’s 18-15 victory on Saturday. SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Adam Casselden downgraded the punishment from the usual two weeks in recognition of Mathewson’s guilty plea, excellent disciplinary record and the minor nature of the offence.
Consecutive wins over the Rebels, Highlanders and Chiefs have lifted the Force to within two points of third spot ahead of their bye week. [/one_half]
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Reds fuming over refereeing
After giving up a 20-3 halftime lead to the Lions over the weekend, the Reds have criticised the atrocious refereeing from Stuart Berry at the end of the match. Richard Graham will be requesting a review from SANZAR on the key calls in the astonishing 19-4 penalty count.
South African commentator and former coach Nick Mallett has come to the Red’s defence, asserting, ‘My feeling was that Berry was very flustered in the end and he was only looking at the Reds errors.’ To make the loss even worse, Queensland will now be without Liam Gill (hamstring) and Aidan Toua (pectoral muscle) for Saturday night’s clash against the dangerous Stormers. [/one_half]
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Wilkinson set to retire
Jonny Wilkinson will retire at the end of the season, according to the Rugby Paper which quotes an anonymous source close to Welsh fullback and Toulon signing Leigh Halfpenny. ‘Jonny is finishing,’ the unnamed source told the paper. ‘He’ll be calling it a day once the season is over and after that he’ll be helping Halfpenny settle in.’
The report claims that Wilkinson will remain with Toulon as a kicking coach and club ambassador. The 34 year old flagged a possible retirement as early as February, saying, ‘One thing I don’t want to do is put myself in a position where the desire and the enjoyment is no longer there.’ [/one_half]
