Monday’s rugby news has more rotation for the beaten Wallabies, Beale coming back, Cheika questioning biased replays and England losing fifth straight.
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Changes set for Ireland Test
Despite the disappointing error-ridden 29-26 loss to France over the weekend, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has emphasised that he will not alter his plans to introduce some fresh faces into the team to play Ireland on Sunday.
Cheika stated that one of his main objectives from the European tour was “giving players the opportunity to play in the new system and get used to that and see how they perform,” with centre Matt Toomua, Quade Cooper and winger Henry Speight among the top of the list for a call-up.
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Beale returns with clean slate
Another possible returning Wallaby could be Kurtley Beale, who will join the Test team in Dublin after a six-week exile for another off-field drama. While Beale’s recall following the text message scandal has been questioned by the public, vice captain James Slipper said the players shared the “apolitical” view of Cheika that the best available players should be on tour.
“He’s gone through the process, he’s sat his time out. Whatever he has to do, he’s now eligible to play for the Wallabies,” Slipper said.
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Cheika questions replays after loss
Cheika has also questioned the influence of big-screen replays as referee Nigel Owens was prevented from ruling on a French ruck infringement due to the selective withholding of the stadium feed. These concerns come just a week after All Blacks coach Steve Hansen questioned the influence that select replays of TV producers have on officials.
IRB referees’ boss Joel Jutge has said the possibility of introducing team challenges which force replays will be explored but no changes will be made before next year’s World Cup.
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England lose fifth straight
In some good news for Australian fans, the English Test side have been described as “utterly awful”, notching up their fifth straight loss against South Africa. Despite enjoying 58 percent possession and 60 percent territory, England lacked any attacking spark with much of the blame falling on halves Danny Care and Owen Farrell.
Coach Stuart Lancaster is expected to make some changes for next week’s match against Samoa, with Ben Morgan, George Ford, Ben Youngs and possibly James Haskell in line for a starting spot.
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