Monday’s rugby news has Moore’s devastating injury, Hooper propelled into the role, Larkham warning of a tough second Test and the All Blacks taking a nail-biter.
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Moore shatters knee
In a tragic blow for the Wallabies and their new captain, Stephen Moore will miss the rest of the year after rupturing his ACL and MCL in the early stages of Saturday night’s 50-23 win over France. Moore will undergo a knee reconstruction and will be replaced by Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau.
“The whole year is gone … he’s obviously shattered,” coach Ewen McKenzie said. “It leaves a bit of a void because we had put a lot of things in the pipeline.” The Brumbies will also have to face the run into the finals without their tough hooker, trying to maintain their top six position throughout the remaining three rounds. [/one_half]
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Hooper set for captaincy
Moore’s injury looks like it will propel 22 year-old Michael Hooper into the Wallabies top job, after the vice-captain played magnificently in the win over France. “He’s a lead-by-example sort of guy and highly respected in the playing group.” McKenzie said, adding, “It didn’t affect his playing, he played exceptionally well and that’s part of it too.”
Unfortunately the captaincy job has been a health hazard of late. Moore’s setback follows the season-ending injuries in 2012 that afflicted James Horwill (hamstring), David Pocock (knee) and Will Genia (knee), who were all appointed to the role by former coach Robbie Deans.
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Larkham predicts tougher second Test
Stephen Larkham has warned the Australian team against complacency, saying that the impressive Wallabies will face a “much tougher” second Test. A number of French stars were notably absent for the first match, with coach Philippe Saint-Andre predicted to reinsert centre Mathieu Bastareaud, No.8 Louis Picamoles and captain Thierry Dusautoir back into the starting lineup.
Larkham also praised the performances of the Nick White, Foley and Toomua combination. Along with the shift at hooker, Mckenzie will be forced to make at least one more change, with Sam Carter ruled out of the rest of the French Test series due to a high ankle sprain. [/one_half]
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McCaw critical of rusty ABs
Thanks to a 78th minute Conrad Smith try, the All Blacks avoided their first defeat in 20 years at Eden park on Saturday, beating England 20-15. But Richie McCaw warned his team mates after the match that they would have to lift their game to take the series. “We were a bit rusty in the first half. Test rugby is a step up in intensity and pace and it felt like we were half a yard off it,” McCaw said.
English coach Steve Lancaster was forced to rest as many as 10 Test regulars due to club commitments, but a few replacements may have earned a starting spot for the second Test, such as the standout young flyhalf Freddie Burns. [/one_half]
