Before we begin, we’ve had a couple of problems with the recording of the GAGR show podcast this week, which is why it’s a bit late. Rest assured, we’re trying to get it out hopefully in the next day or two. Sorry about that, but we promise it’s a good one.
Anyways, onto the news. Thursday’s Rugby News sees’ Hodgo feeling hopeful, Cooper turning to the dark (and white) side, more on the NRC and a quick reflection on the Pro 14, five rounds in.
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Hodgo Hopeful
You’d never think that the words ARU and Western Force would be viewed together in the same sentence positively after the sh*tshow that this year has been. Yet, after hearing Hodgo’s comments on the progression of the IPRC, it could be a case of every cloud having a sliver lining.
Twiggy and the ARU were effectively bitter enemies as the entire disaster of the Force’s removal from the competition unfolded. But, oh how times have changed.
The ARU established a working group to help Forrest’s team set up the new competition, and dialogue between all sides is reportedly very constructive and positive, according to Hodgo.
“Hopefully by next week we should have some things moving forward,” Hodgson said to Fox Sports.
“All the conversations we’re having with the ARU are positive.
“We have to think what’s best for rugby, and this is the best opportunity Australia has been offered in years. It’s pretty exciting.”
However, it’s important to remember that ARU are still to endorse the competition, and that is a important detail to remember. If they don’t, players will be unable to be considered for Wallaby positions, and it would also effectively make the entire venture a rebel competition.
Currently, the Force are the only confirmed participants, but Forrest hopes to have five more teams in the competition by this time next year. Japan, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and South Korea have all been touted as potential places that franchises could spring up, and there has already been interest expressed publicly by Hong Kong.
According to Hodgo, the IPRC’s director of sports relations, that’s not the only people that have been interested.
“I’ve had interest from internationals, and I’ve had interest from Australian players abroad wanting to come back,” Hodgson said.
“And I’ve had interest from some players who were looking to go overseas next year, but now might stay in Australia to play in this.”
Oh, and by the way Force fans. Dave Wessels may be the Head Coach of the Melbourne Rebels, but it turns out he’s had it written into his contract that he will be allowed to return to Perth to coach the Force in the IPRC competition, should it go ahead.
Onya, ‘Blood.’
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Coopers turns to the dark (and white) side
So everyone’s favourite Kiwi rage thought, Quade Cooper, will be finally getting his chance and running out onto the same field as the Wallabies. Except, he’ll be in a Barbarians jersey.
Barbarians’ coach and part time boiled egg Alan Jones announced that Cooper would captain the invitational side when they take on the Wallabies on October 28 in Sydney.
For Cooper, it gives him a great opportunity to turn his teammates inside out and strut his stuff to impress Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
The Barbarians squad is still to be confirmed, but it is expected that there will be plenty of players from the Western Force in the squad too.
“I’m going to be up there doing my best to attack from everywhere and really making it entertaining for the fans,” Cooper told sportingnews.com.
Speaking of squads, the Wallabies squad is out today for this weekends final match against the Pumas in Mendoza.
Interestingly, Mendoza is one of the Pumas biggest strongholds. Only two teams have ever beaten them there, being the Wallabies and the Springboks.
However, it is also is the sight of two of Argentina’s three victories in the Rugby Championship, against the Wallabies and the Springboks. Expect a much closer game between the two sides this weekend. Oh yeah, and the Springboks host the All Blacks.
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Meanwhile, back home…
We’ve past the halfway point in the regular season of the NRC, and the competition is the closest it’s been in it’s entire history. How often can you say that the top four teams are all on equal points?
The Canberra Vikings equalled Melbourne Rising‘s largest ever total put on an opposition in NRC history when they put the boot into the Fijian Drua, 66-5. The Rising themselves were on the end of a belting of their own, going down to Queensland Country 54-12.
Perth Spirit also broke a record for their biggest win in their history- a 62-28 smashing of Brisbane City, while the final match of the round saw a much tighter affair between the two NSW teams, with NSW Country Eagles earning their second win in as many weeks to knock over the Sydney Rays, 26 -17 in the glorious Southern Highlands.
In essence, the competition has become a four way race between the Drua, Queensland Country, the Spirit and the Vikings, and it’s fair to say the run home for these four teams in the final weeks looks to be sensational.
Check out the teams run home here, courtesy of GAGR favourite Brett McKay.
This weekend will arguably see the biggest crowds and greatest celebrations of the rugby in the NRC calender. Pacifika Round was an absolute hit last year, with record crowds turning up at Ballymore and at Concord during those games. This time, the Greater Sydney Rams will come off the bye and host the Fijian Drua at TG Millner in what might be the biggest event of the season. It will also see the Horan – Little Shield on the line again, so the Rams will be keen to put in a big one. The Drua could also be affected by multiple suspensions, following results from hearings at ARU headquarters in relation to the eye gouging allegations in their match against the Vikings.
This will then be followed by the Country Derby, when NSW Country travel to Bond University to face table toppers Queensland Country. The men from the Sunshine State have a good record against the Eagles, but the NSW boys have been in good form of late.
On the Sunday, Melbourne Rising will host the Vikings in a match that will effectively decide their finals fate, while the Rays will be back at home and looking to get their first ever home victory against Brisbane City. The Spirit will have the bye.
Get out these and support your NRC teams this weekend. I’ll hope to see plenty of GAGRs at TG Millner on Saturday.
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And to finish off…
Remember a few months ago when it was announced that the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings would be taking part in the Pro 14? Well, we’re already five rounds in and it turns out that despite their average performances in Super Rugby, the Cheetahs are looking like legitimate contenders in their new comp.
Pro 14 has branched out into two conferences (oh no, they’ve started conferences too), and in the first five rounds, currently sit in a very respectable third place in their conference with three wins and two losses to their name, sitting only just behind powerhouses Munster and Glasgow Warriors.
As for the Kings, the less said about them the better. They’re currently miles behind the pack, so much so that even the Italian teams are beating them.
While the regular season doesn’t wrap up until April next year, many have been admittedly surprised at how competitive the Cheetahs already are, including The Telegraph’s Charlie Morgan.
“Many thought these crazy games would mean that the Pro 14’s latest arrivals would be entertaining newcomers at least,’ Morgan wrote.
“Rory Duncan’s men were plucky underdogs with the unique selling point of producing end-to-end spectacles. But genuine competitors? Forget it.
“Well, while still delivering on the helter-skelter scorelines – their five matches thus far have featured 48 tries – three consecutive victories have confounded the doom-mongers.
“Having to juggle a concurrent Currie Cup campaign, which finishes in late October, is clearly a significant disadvantage and meant heavy away losses to Ulster and Munster were hardly surprising. But the conditions in Bloemfontein will keep heating up until January.”
Morgan is already talking up the idea of them even winning the whole thing.
“To see them lift the trophy in Dublin on May 26 would be every bit as refreshing as the respective successes of Connacht and Scarlets. Not only that, it would make SA Rugby ’s previously fanciful argument for Champions Cup involvement pretty compelling.”
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