Thursday’s rugby news has the Reds looking for a new coach, Toulon owner threatens to sue the ARU, Rebels sign Irish prop and Heinrich Brussow returns for South Africa.
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Reds Looking for Coach
The Queensland Reds will advertise the position of head coach following a poor Super Rugby season.
A two-month high performance review also recommended that a high performance general manager should be appointed to sit above the head coach and an attack and defence coach should also be advertised.
Richard Graham intends to reapply for the role of head coach.
“I’m fully across the review findings and intend to be part of the process for the role of head coach,” Graham said.
Former Leinster coach Matt O’Connor, Tim Lane and John Mulvihull have all already indicated they will apply for the Reds top job.
Scotland’s assistant coach Matt Taylor is also understood to be a contender for the Reds job.
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Toulon Owner Threatens to Sue
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has threatened to sue the ARU for “millions of euros” if Quade Cooper decides to stay in Australia.
The ARU have announced on social media that a Wallabies player will re-sign with the ARU today including a 2016 Sevens contract, however it may be a Waratahs player.
“He was our first choice,” Boudjellal told French radio.
“The damage to our image is significant. He took a photo with us, we centred our season ticket campaign around him, his jersey is on sale. What’s more, we passed on other fly-halves to get him.”
“They are speaking to a player who they know has signed. So there is collusion there and I might sue the Australian federation to ensure our rights are respected.
“If Cooper doesn’t come, the compensation will be in millions of euros.”
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Rebels Sign Irish Prop
The Melbourne Rebels have announced their 3rd signing in as many days with Irish prop Jamie Hagan joining the squad on a two year deal.
Hagan has made over 100 appearances for Leinster, Connacht and London Irish.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan was delighted with the signing.
“To be able to bring a front row player into the team with 100 caps at the professional level is a real positive for the improvement of the squad going forward into the 2016 season,” McGahan said.
“Jamie’s playing experience in European rugby, where the set piece is crucial, will bring a varied approach to the Rebels’ forward play and likewise he will find a different challenge for himself in Super Rugby.”
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Brussow Returns for SA
After four years Heinrich Brussow will play a test match for South Africa when they take on New Zealand.
Brussow last played for South Africa in the 2011 World Cup but since then has been out of favour with Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.
Brussow replaces the injured Marcell Coetzee at blindside flanker whilst Francois Louw moves to openside.
South African team: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Schalk Burger (capt), Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Res: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Flip van der Merwe, Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Cornal Hendricks
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