Monday’s rugby news has some Wallaby goal-kicking concerns, more travel for the Force, Mogg looking to club rugby and Giteau praised after Toulon victory.
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Wallabies goal-kicking questioned
The current Wallabies squad has raised questions about the team’s goal-kicking depth ahead of next year’s World Cup. With the historically pin-point Christian Lealiifano inconsistent this season, and the two five-eighth options Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale struggling against the Rebels on Friday, Ewen McKenzie has called for the urgent development of Australia’s kicking ranks.
Lealiifano was at 80% last year but has kicked just half of his 24 attempts post-ankle surgery. “We’d like that to be a little bit more, because your [Leigh] Halfpennys are into the 80s,” McKenzie said. [/one_half]
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Foley slams schedule
Western Force coach Michael Foley has voiced his displeasure at the Super Rugby scheduling that has seen his side play in three different countries in 14 days. After losing to the Stormers in Cape Town, the Force defeated the Lions 29-19 in Perth on Saturday and will now have to travel to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders on Friday.
The fourth placed Force will have to overcome the hurdle of their intense schedule but will be buoyed by the return of star players Kyle Godwin, Junior Rasolea, Luke Morahan, Alby Mathewson and Hugh McMeniman after the June Test window. [/one_half]
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Mogg considering club return
Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg is considering a return to club rugby after being dropped from the Test squad for next month’s series against France. Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie cited consistency issues, with Mogg looking to build some confidence at Wests.
Meanwhile, ACT coach Stephen Larkham has emphasised that the Wallabies positional changes will not effect the selection of his backline. Although McKenzie selected Matt Toomua at inside centre, Larkham emphasised the success of the team’s back-line combinations, saying, “For us, Matt is our No. 10 and that’s the way we see it.” [/one_half]
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Wilkinson praises Giteau after win
After a brilliant performance in Toulon’s 23-6 win over Saracens in the European Cup final on Saturday, former Australian centre Matt Giteau has been labelled the “ultimate professional” by retiring five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson. The English legend notably added, “I don’t quite know how a team ever let him go in Australia to come over here (Europe).”
Giteau scored an exceptional 28th minute try, while Wilkinson kicked 13 points in the win. The former Wallaby left the Brumbies for France after a 2011 World Cup where he failed to make the Test squad. [/one_half]
