Thursday’s Rugby News has all the latest goss about the ARU working on its relationship with schools rugby, Will Genia feeling fit and healthy and a tiny bit mad at media complaints that he’s neither of those things, another signing for the Brumbies and the Brisbane Boks announced.
[one_half last=”no”]
Schoolboys Review
Fairfax Media is saying this morning that the ARU has instigated a “sweeping review” into schools rugby. Chaired by ARU director Paul McLean – a former Wallaby – the working group will seek to figure everything out, from safety concerns, fairness in competition to building a pathway for those students who want to build a path to professionalism.
Specifically, things like standard concussion protocols, weight-for-age competitions and better club-school connections have been brought into the conversation.
This working group might even delve into restructuring school competitions and “ensuring adequate talent pathways for players outside of the powerful GPS alliances in Sydney and Brisbane” – wait, does this mean public schools???! That’s just too much exciting forward thinking from the ARU in one day. Please stop. You’re spoiling us.
It gets better and better, as it also seems the schools want reform, with McLean telling Fairfax that most of the schools consulted want a more streamlined system and a better hand in talent development. “We’ve talked to about 150 schools,” McLean said, “and the thing that surprised me is that schools now want a level of governance and direction. They’re wanting us as a body to work with them on this journey. ”
You can read the meaty report here.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Old Complaints
Will Genia is sick and tired of people complaining that all the French-based players are all (or a combination of) “old”, “slow” and “crap”.
“Apparently we’re too old, too slow and don’t have anything to offer,” Genia told the media throng, including Fairfax and News Ltd. “That’s just people’s opinions at the end of the day.” Didn’t you see Bobas’ match ratings, Will?
“People speak about us bringing back experience, but we’ve got to be playing well enough to be selected so we can contribute to the team. If the coaches and selectors didn’t think we were good enough we wouldn’t be here.”
On the positive side of things, Genia did mention he’s been feeling fitter and fresher than ever; which – according to Bobas anyway – seems to be the case as he’s been one of the better chunks in the Wallabies’ regurgitated mess of a season, so far.
“I had a good seven months off before playing that first game and my knee feels really good,” said Genia, who has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the England series. “Physically and mentally I feel like I’m in a good space – I’ll just keep trucking along.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Godwin A Brumby
The Brumbies have announced the signing of Kyle Godwin for the next two seasons, says the SMH. The 24-year-old centre played for the Force this year, being one of the Perth’s side few bright lights.
Godwin is currently in the Wallabies scout camp, no doubt hoping Michael Cheika will give him a wink and a nod and give him his first cap. At the Brumbies, he can probably expect to have a starting role as Matt Toomua is leaving for Leicester, with Christian Lealiifano also in doubt for the foreseeable future due to his very unfortunate illness.
The departure of Godwin is just another part of the upheaval of the Force, who have already lost several players – including Chris Alcock, who joined the Brumbies yesterdi – and have had a change of coach all in the last six months.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Brisbane Boks
Allister Coetzee has named his Boks squad for the upcoming test in Brisbane, with a few changes in the back and in the front, to the XV that lost 26-24 to Argentina in Salta two weeks ago. (Read more on Sport24)
Francois Hougaard (in for the injured Ruan Combrink), Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel come into the side, meaning the Saffers will have a different winger and a different centre pairing. Up the top, Lourens Adriaanse is tagging in for Vincent Koch at tighthead.
Meanwhile, Bruno Eben Etzebeth is going to play his 50th test for the Springboks at the tender age of 24.
Squad:
15 Johan Goosen, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Jaco Kriel, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe
[/one_half]
Gagr craft beer discount
Enjoy smashing a tasty craft beer from time to time? What am I saying, of course you do!
Well GAGR has organised for you to get a $20 discount when you order any of the ‘Tight Five’, ‘The Forwards’ or ‘The Backline’ Bledisloe special mixed cases from The Craft Beer Market. Each case has competing line ups of fine Aussie and Kiwi craft beers.
Make up for our super rugby showing – YOU decide who wins in this battle!
Just enter GAGR20 as a code on checkout to get a sweet lobster off as many of these three mixed cases as you order. Delivery is free anywhere in Straya!
