Monday’s rugby news has the Force criticizing the Super schedule, the Brumbies youngsters playing on, the Reds getting ahead of themselves and Aaron Cruden’s World Cup in doubt.
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Foley unhappy with SANZAR
Western Force coach Michael Foley has labeled the Super Rugby fixturing for this year as “farcical” with his team being dealt one of the hardest draws in the competition. “SANZAR has a lot to be accountable for,” Foley said. “The Western Force are one of 15 stakeholders, and I think the way the players are treated within the schedule is pretty shabby.”
The Force coach was reacting to a horror travel burden and short turnarounds that the team has had to endure. This week the Force will play the Chiefs in New Zealand on a six-day turnaround, meaning that they will only be able to squeeze in one heavy training session prior.
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Brumbies to stick with youngsters
The Brumbies could be without Wallabies half-back Nic White for another round, with the regular starter injuring his ankle during training this week. Michael Dowset will likely stay on as the run-on 9, with Joe Powell moving onto the bench if White fails to prove his fitness for the match against the Otago Highlanders on Friday night.
The Brumbies fell to the Rebels 13-8 in rainy conditions at Canberra Stadium but coach Stephen Larkham has retained confidence in his young replacement back-line. “It’s an unknown with Whitey’s injury … realistically I think we’ll give that back-line combination another chance next week to play a bit of rugby,” Larkham said.
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JOC optimistic
The Reds have broken their six match Super Rugby losing streak with a 18-17 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, and the camp has immediately displayed a rise in confidence. “When we stick to our game plans and structures, we’ve proven we can score tries, attack and beat any team,” said James O’Connor, who set up two tries in his best match for Queensland to date.
The win moves the Reds (2-7) off the bottom of both the Australian conference and the Super Rugby overall ladder. O’Connor’s optimism will be put to the test this week when the Reds come up against the competition leading Hurricanes on Sunday.
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Cruden awaiting scan
Aaron Cruden’s World Cup hopes are in doubt after he suffered a serious knee injury in the Chiefs’ win over the Crusaders on Friday. The status of the All Black fly-half will be cemented after he undergoes scans today, but there are fears that he might have torn his ACL.
This worst-case scenario would see him out for six to eight months, ruling him out of the World Cup, although a more minor injury could still leave his participation in doubt. While New Zealand have plenty of depth on the position, with the option to call on Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade, Cruden appeared to be in the front running to be New Zealand’s World Cup starter at 10.
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