Thursday’s rugby news has Will Genia settling in, Club coaches challenging the idea of gate fees, Angus Cottrell re-signs with the Western Force and Angus Gardner appointed assistant referee for the Super Rugby final.
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Genia Settling In
Will Genia is determined to stick with French rugby rather than giving it up and returning to Super Rugby.
Other Wallabies such as Sekope Kepu and Quade Cooper have returned back to Super Rugby prematurely due to inability to settle in Europe.
“I don’t see myself leaving at all (this contract),” he said.
“Living over there’s amazing.
“From a rugby point of view, it’s quite a different style and philosophy but rugby’s rugby, I enjoy it and have fun and work hard.
“It’d be incredibly hard if she (Vanessa) wasn’t enjoying it. It’s been nice she’s been able to make friends with Aussies and Kiwi girls at the club.
‘I think it puts my mind at ease to know she’s happy and enjoying it – it’s the opportunity to live in Paris for three years of your life, something you wouldn’t usually be able to do.”
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Club Rugby Gate Fee
In the lead up to the Shute Shield Grand Final at North Sydney Oval this weekend, both Sydney University and Northern Suburbs coaches have criticised gate fees and charging people to watch club rugby.
Northern Suburbs head coach Simon Cron and from New Zealand and is son of former All Blacks flanker Stewart Cron.
“The biggest thing that surprised me about over here I suppose is I find it really hard that we shut-out our grounds,” Cron said.
“It goes against everything that I believe in … The clubs put these banners around the ground and prevent the general public from coming in unless you pay $15.”
“But I would love it to be everyman’s game.
“The way to do that is to just open the gates and have gold coin donations.
“I know that’s an issue for funding for different teams, but I find it tough to have to pay to go and watch rugby at the levels that you have here, where you’ve got to pay money.
“Even fourth grade at Manly, you’ve got to pay money to go and watch them play.
“You can’t even watch your mates without paying.
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Cottrell Re-Signs
Western Force backrower Angus Cottrell has re-signed with the club for a further two seasons.
“I’m very excited to sign with the Force for another two years,” Cottrell said.
“As I’ve said in the past Perth is my home for rugby and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Cottrell was in the Wallabies frame in 2014, however, a broken leg halted his progress.
“For every player I think Wallabies is a goal but for the moment I’m just focused on getting back from injury and getting my body back in the right shape so I can put my best foot forward for the Force,” he said.
“As a team last season we didn’t finish where we wanted to so I’m looking forward to helping us pick up some more wins.”
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Gardner in Final
Australian referee Angus Gardner has been appointed as one of the assistant referee’s for this weekend’s Super Rugby final.
New Zealander Glen Jackson will be the main referee of the match.
“It’s not too bad being a touch judge for these, because you aren’t as involved in what’s going to so you get to take more in,” he said.
“For a referee, those free-flowing games are the best because it takes you out of the equation a bit more.”
Gardner will also take part in the upcoming Rugby Championship having been appointed to officiate the All Blacks and Springboks on September 17.
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