Monday’s rugby news has Cheika seeing progress, a second place Sevens finish, the Waratahs adding more size at lock and a new drugs in sport report.
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Cheika positive about RWC
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has expressed his optimism nine months out from the start of the Rugby World Cup, impressed by the tactical and cultural changes embraced over the Spring Tour, despite winning just one of four Tests.
Similar to the developments at the Waratahs, Cheika has begun to implement a possession-based style of play in attack and add aggression to their defence with the Wallabies coach asserting, “There were a lot of things I was pleased with and I can feel there is something brewing with those types of foundations in place.” Cheika also emphasised that he and his coaching staff have made the scrum a key priority heading into 2015.
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Australia finish 2nd in Dubai
The Australian team have moved up to third place in the Sevens World Series standings after finishing second in Dubai. After coming back from 24-12 down to Fiji in the Semi finals to progress through a Greg Jeloudev try in extra-time, Australia were beaten comprehensively 33-7 by South Africa in the final.
“There’s no doubt South Africa are a very good side and while I want us to enjoy getting to a Cup Final, it’s now important we recover and prepare well again,” said coach Geraint John, with the upcoming tournament in Port Elizabeth crucial to solidifying Australia’s place at the top end of the Sevens leader-board. [/one_half]
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Tahs gamble on league prospect
126kg lock Sam Lousi has given his first interview since joining the Waratahs, outlining the sales pitch of coach Michael Cheika. With only one season of union at school, playing at blindside flanker, the Warriors forward said he wanted to think about the greater long term career prospects in union, with Cheika emphasising his belief in hard work over talent.
Lousi is now the second-biggest Waratah behind Will Skelton, and has been brought in to account for the gaping hole left by the recent departures of Wallabies locks Kane Douglas and Sitaleki Timani.
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RFU laments drug problem
The UK have seen their 1oth professional player suspended for doping offences this year, with RFU boass Ian Ritchie saying, ‘Whichever way you look at it I think there is recognition that there is a problem.” There is a particularly troubling issue at junior levels, with Ritchie emphasising that professional rugby’s endless pursuit of bigger and faster athletes placing pressure on young players to look to performance-enhancers.
A recent study of South African schoolboy players returned 12 positive tests for anabolic steroids out of just 52 undertaken. An anonymous former international coach has characterised the problem as widespread “institutionalised drug-taking”. Former France and Harlequins prop Laurent Benezech has also claimed that drug use in French rugby was comparable to that undertaken in the Tour de France peloton
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