Thursday’s rugby news has Cooper on the sidelines, the Force impressive, more stringent drug testing and an All Black heading to France.
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Cooper remains a spectator
Quade Cooper will reportedly be overlooked for this weekend’s Sydney Sevens tournament, with the coaches being concerned that the 58-Test Wallaby is not physically ready for the shortened form of the game. Cooper completed his first training with the Sevens squad just a few hours after his flight from France on Wednesday.
In line with his current agreements about availability with Toulon, Cooper will have just two more chances to play for Australia in sevens — in London and Paris in May — before a 14-man Rio squad is finalised in late July. “He is going to need to play at least two tournaments,” Australian coach Andy Friend emphasised, “the game of sevens is a different game. It is rugby but it is high-speed rugby.”
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Force strong in first match
The Western Force have scored a convincing 28-0 victory over the Hurricanes in a Super Rugby trial at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford. The Force showed great determination in defence on Wednesday night to hold the 2015 finalists scoreless, particularly when reduced to 13 men with two yellow cards.
“We scrambled well, we showed a lot of guts. There was definitely endeavour,” coach Michael Foley said, while adding, “There are a couple of things from an execution perspective and a decision-making perspective that we need to sharpen our focus on.” The Western Force’s final pre-season match is on Saturday, February 13 against the Asia Pacific Dragons.
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Drug crackdown begins
The post-Essendon period of drug-testing has begun, with Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham warning all his players to take extra precautions as punishments and testing procedures are being ramped up this year. Players have been cautioned that over-the-counter products may contain banned substances and there is strict liability in that regard, with the Brumbies keeping all of their supplements in a locked cabinet to ensure their integrity.
Drug testers were on the Brumbies’ doorstep on Tuesday, getting samples from almost one third of the playing squad and testing staff for illicit drugs. “We’ve spoken at length with the players, the ARU and RUPA have given us presentations and the players have done an online course,” Larkham said. “The boys are all aware of the dangers of anything they put in their body.”
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Vito going to French rugby
Twice World Cup-winning All Black Victor Vito will join French Top 14 side La Rochelle on a three-year deal after the Super Rugby season with the Hurricanes. The move means Vito, 28, will forfeit his chance to play for the All Blacks for at least the duration of his contract.
“It’s never easy to fight the ego and say no to the chance to represent your country, but my young family trumps my ego any day, especially when there is a chance to provide them with a better future,” Vito said. Vito struggled to retain his position over the likes of Kieran Read, Kaino and McCaw but he found form at the right time to be selected in Steve Hansen’s World Cup squad last year.
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