Thursday’s rugby news has Folau ready to take on England, Matt Toomua ruled out for the Brumbies, Goromaru out of favour at the Reds and Ioane brothers called into New Zealand Sevens squad.
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Folau Ready for England
Israel Folau says he is ready to take on Six Nations Champions England in three test series next month.
Folau admitted he was only operating at about 50 percent at last year’s World Cup.
“It was frustration, because you are rolling out there and play in a World Cup game when you know you are only about 50 per cent,” he said.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also welcomed the challenge of playing England at home.
“Big, physical, everyone knows what England are going to bring,” Cheika said.
“I think they’ve phrased it Bodyline which I think is code for ‘We’re going to come down here and smash you’.
“Good play, it’s a contact sport, we love it and it’s going to start in Brisbane.”
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Toomua Out
Brumbies inside centre Matt Toomua has been ruled out of the Brumbies clash with the Bulls due to a knee injury.
Utility back Robbie Coleman will shift in to inside centre whilst James Dargaville will move to the wing.
Wallaby captain Stephen Moore returns to the starting side after overcoming a calf injury. Scott Sio and Ben Alexander will join him in the front row.
Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano says the Brumbies need to execute their plays better.
“We’re creating a lot of opportunities, it’s just a matter of finishing them off,” he said.
“… I feel like we’re working into our shape rather than looking to create. That’s a big onus on the playmakers … and the backs have to light up with opportunities on the edge.”
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Goromaru Dumped
Japanese cult hero Ayumu Goromaru is out of favour with Queensland Reds coaches due to his lack of impact.
Goromaru was set to be a star import after staring in Japan’s World Cup campaign but the 30 year old will not even be on the bench in Christchurch when the Reds face the Crusaders on Friday night.
Goromaru has played less than three hours of rugby with the Reds this season.
Reds coaches Matt O’Connor and Nick Stiles have decided to call up 19 year old Campbell Magnay instead of Goromaru as a replacement for the injured Samu Kerevi.
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Ioane Brothers to 7’s
Blues brothers Akira and Reiko Iaone have been called into the New Zealand Sevens squad as they prepare for Paris next week.
Head coach Gordon Tietjens has named a 16 man squad before flying to Europe on Saturday.
New Zealand squad: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Dylan Collier (Waikato), Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty), DJ Forbes (Counties-Manukau), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Gillies Kaka (Hawke’s Bay), Liam Messam (Waikato), Tim Mikkelson (Waikato), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau), Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau)
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