Monday’s rugby news has the Tahs focused, the Rebels trying to develop Wallabies, some injury relief for the Brumbies and England’s Test exclusion policy under scrutiny.
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Hoiles talks up Tahs chances
Veteran backrower Stephen Hoiles believes that the Waratahs have the right attitude to push for a finals spot in the next eight weeks of the competition. The fourth-placed Waratahs have managed five wins and three losses from the first half of the season that featured the dreaded South African tour. “It’s a physical team, we train hard and we’re very well-prepared for each game,” Hoiles said. “I feel like we’re in a good place and you just know that this side won’t get complacent.”
The 32-year old former Wallaby also said that the Tahs will be focused on cleaning up the handling errors and turnovers which have stifled their attacking firepower over the past few weeks. [/one_half]
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McGahan wants more Rebel Wallabies
Rebels coach Tony McGahan has emphasised the need for more Melbourne players to be represented in the Wallaby squad in the coming years. Captain Scott Higginbotham is the only current Australian international and McGahan believes that emulating the player development displayed at the Brumbies will improve the club’s performances.
“We want to have a program to turn young men like Luke (Jones) and other players, Sean McMahon, Nic Stirzaker and Mitch Inman into Wallabies.” Jones could be the first to fill the void in Wallaby representatives left by the departures of Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor and Nick Phipps. [/one_half]
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Carter back for Brumbies
Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher says that Sam Carter will be a likely inclusion into the starting line-up for the team’s Anzac Day clash against the Chiefs. Carter’s recovery from a knee injury would see Tom Staniforth forced out of the 23, to return to training with the Australian 20’s. Scott Fardy would then resume his partnership with Carter in the second row with Jordan Smiler likely to remain at blindside flanker.
Carter’s inclusion is just one of the long list of Brumbies who will be returning for the team in the coming weeks. Powerful No.8 Fotu Auelua (knee) is expected to be fit for the Crusaders match on May 3, with Henry Speight (jaw) and Leon Power (knee) probable for the South African trip the following week. [/one_half]
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England urged to relax Test policy
Former England international Jamie Noon has urged the RFU to relax its policy of excluding overseas players from Test consideration. Noon, who has played for both Newcastle Falcons and French side Brive has said that players should be picked purely on form, regardless of where they are playing. Noon emphasised that the relatively short travel across the Channel and widespread coverage of the Top 14 make it less disruptive for national selectors.
England’s policy of only calling up overseas-based players in ‘exceptional circumstances’ has come under recent scrutiny with the form of Toulon’s English no.8 Steffon Armitage, named man of the match in his team’s Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Leinster. [/one_half]
