Monday’s rugby news has Quade Cooper to leave the Reds, Henry Speight in doubt, Aussie U20’s finish fifth and All Blacks name 41 name squad.
[one_half last=”no”]
Cooper to Leave Reds
The Queensland Rugby Union announced last night that they have withdrawn their contract offer to Quade Cooper. It is becoming increasingly likely that Cooper will move to Toulon at the end of the Rugby World Cup.
The statement from the QRU read: “Although he has consistently indicated his preference to stay with Queensland and both the QRU and ARU have worked tirelessly in an attempt to accommodate the requirements of his management, the QRU has been disappointed in a number of factors throughout this drawn-out negotiation process.
“These include his recent trip to France and what we believe are unrealistic expectations made by his management … The QRU has been flexible in its attempts to retain Quade, offering significant remuneration and being understanding of his boxing ambitions and supportive in relation to the possibility of sabbatical options.
“We have come to the difficult decision that the investment we have made previously and were prepared to continue to make has not been recognised, particularly when taking into account our commitment to him over a very long period of time.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Speight in Doubt
Henry Speight is in doubt to play the Brumbies match against the Hurricanes after being red carded in their win over the Stormers.
Speight lifted Stormers centre Juan de Jongh and he landed onto his head with around six minutes remaining in the match.
Sanzar have confirmed Speight’s infringement of Law 10.4 (e) being “Dangerous Tackling, Playing a player without the ball is dangerous play” and law 10.4 (j), “Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
U20’s Finish Fifth
The Australian U20’s have defeated Wales 28-23 to finish fifth in the World Rugby U20’s Championship.
U20’s coach Adrian Thompson was pleased with the performance.
“It was an excellent performance by the team to secure victory against a strong Wales outfit today. Wales asked a lot of questions of us throughout the match but our defence really stood up today.
“We were well lead by an excellent performance by Adam Korcyzk who worked hard all across the park and created headaches for Wales.
“Our young guys coming through need to play different types of Rugby to what we play in Australia and we’re setting things up to ensure that.
“To finish in fifth will help the 2016 U20s in their bid for higher honours at next year’s World Championships.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
All Blacks Squad Named
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his first All Blacks squad for the year.
Five uncapped players were included in the 41 man squad including Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor and James Broadhurst.
Backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Charles Piutau, Cory Jane, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Luke Romano, James Broadhurst, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor, Hika Elliot.
[/one_half]
