Thursday’s Rugby News sees Squeak retiring, people coming to Cheik’s defence, the Brumbies picking up a major young find and Uelese setting a bar high for himself in Melbourne.
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Squeak to retire at Murrayfield
In case you missed it, Australia’s second most capped Wallaby and our fifth most skippered captain, Stephen Moore, is fast-tracking his plans to retire at the end of next year, announcing that the final test of this year against Scotland will also serve as his final test match.
According to the Courier Mail, Squeak had been mulling over the decision for weeks, before making his decision and breaking the news to his Wallaby teammates just after the Wallabies arrived in Scotland.
His biggest highlights of his career was being part of the Aussie team that won the 2011 Tri Nations, captaining Australia to winning the 2015 Rugby Championship, and (most notably), captaining Australia all the way to the 2015 World Cup grand final.
With 129 Tests and 177 Super Rugby games for the Reds and Brumbies to his name, he is Australia’s most capped professional player (with 306 games all up to his name.) Only Nathan Sharpe (288 games-116 Tests/162 Super Rugby), George Gregan (275 games-139/136) and George Smith (268 games-111/157) come close to his record.
“I’d started planning for life after rugby since announcing my retirement from the international game back in July and the opportunity that I was exploring materialised probably six months earlier than I had expected,” Moore said.
“So I have made the decision, in conjunction with the Queensland Rugby Union, to finish my rugby career now and take up a new opportunity. This also allows Brad (Thorn) and the Reds coaches to move forward with their planning for 2018 and beyond.
“Someone once said to me that ideally you want something to retire to, and not from, and I think those are really wise words.”
With Jordan Uelese picking up a contract at the Rebels, the announcement really serves as a major changing-of-the-guard moment for Australian rugby.
“I have also been very grateful to have worked alongside Michael Cheika and proud of how Michael Hooper has embraced his role as Wallaby captain and everything that goes with that,” Squeak said.
“I couldn’t have done it without all of my teammates, coaches and staff across the years at both Super Rugby and international level though, so I want to thank each of them.
“I have been very fortunate to have played with and against some of the world’s great players over my career at the Reds, Brumbies and Wallabies.
“I would also like to thank all of the fans that have supported both myself and the team over the years. Many of you I have never met, but you are the reason why playing for your state and country is so special.”
Cheers for the memories Squeak.
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The support floods in
Michael Cheika has often been a passionate figure when it comes to the results of games. Getting annoyed at journalists, punching a glass window when the Waratahs lost to the Brums in Canberra. But, the aftermath following the England loss has been notably harsher than in previous occurrences.
Yet, as the Autumn International disciplinary committee commented they would look into Cheika’s conduct during the test match after ‘media reports and a referral from World Rugby’, several prominent figures in the English sporting landscape have jumped to Cheiks aid, including former England Coach Sir Clive Woodward.
Woodward sent out a impassioned tweet soon after the announcement came through, and it was retweeted and commented on by many figures, including England South African cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
I really hope this is not true , nothing Cheika did that bought the game into disrepute,- in fact him & Eddie J added to a compelling match https://t.co/oHk2FJZoQ6
— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) November 20, 2017
Some have even questioned the notion of whether the coaches camera is necessary during the broadcast. Even Fox Sport’s Stephen Hoiles said that Cheika’s passion for the game should be encouraged, not condemned.
“I really think that coaches shouldn’t have to answer what they say in the private box when they’re coaching,” he said.
“We’ve seen coaches in all sports get emotional and passionate. I don’t think it’s something that the media should be focusing on.
“I think you’ll soon see the cameras will go off. I believe the coaches in international rugby have the option to allow the broadcaster to put that camera up.
“I assume the Wallabies won’t do that (anymore). It’s something that probably doesn’t need to be spoken about after a game.
“There were plenty of other questions about the game. I don’t believe the Wallabies coach needs to sit there (and answer that).
“Sport’s passionate, there’s emotion involved and I think coaches are allowed to show that side of them during a game and I don’t think it’s something we should be focusing on after a game, especially in post-sideline interviews.”
Cheik is expected to be notified of the result of the hearing before the Scotland test match.
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Taking a Chance in Canberra
Chance Peni was one of the biggest finds for the Western Force, and his decision about his future was the subject of much discussion on all sides of the country. Now, it is confirmed that the young winger will be heading to Canberra to play for the Brumbies.
It is the third Force player the Brumbies have signed, and is a major win for their back stocks as they look to build on their 2017 campaign.
Peni scored four tries in seven starts for the Force until injury cut his season down, but his ability to beat defenders saw him win a big ally in Dave Wessels. Turns out, Dan McKellar had taken a big interest too.
“Chance is a very talented player and he offers that spark in attack and has a natural ability to find the try-line that is vital for every team in Super Rugby,” McKellar said to rugby.com.au.
“He took to Super Rugby very well last season in Western Australia having made the switch from rugby league and was a constant threat to opposition defences when on the attack.
“We are confident that Chance will become an important part of the Brumbies squad in 2018 and we welcome him to the club.”
Peni himself was also impressed by the opportunity that McKellar was presenting him, and believes he can fulfill his full potential playing down in Canberra.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn so having Tevita (Kuridrani) and (Henry) Speight there – it’s a massive plus for me,” he said.
“Learning whatever I can and soaking up whatever I can.
“Just the way he [Dan] spoke to me on the phone – he was really genuine about giving me a good shot and I know the opportunity is there – I just have to take it.
“I feel like there is still some unturned stones there that I need to play Super and fulfill my full potential.”
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U’ll all elsee
He confirmed his signing with the Rebels yesterday, and with Squeak hanging up the boots on Saturday Jordan Uelese made it clear that he wants both him, and the Rebels, to improve massively in 2018.
The standard is set high for the Rebels next year, and for Uelese, this comes with an opportunity for the young team from Victoria to finally prove itself in Super Rugby.
“Last year was a bit of a rocky road in terms of results and injuries but I’ve spoken to (new Rebels coach) Dave Wessels a couple of times, he’s an awesome coach and I’m very excited to work under him and just the amount of players we’ve got,” he said to rugby.com.au.
“I think the boys are very excited to get in and work hard.
“We’ve got no excuses this time, it’s time to make the people of Melbourne proud and hopefully go better this year.
“We’re not going for second or third, I think we’re going to win this year so very exciting times for the Rebels and the new setup we’ve got.”
The Rebels will have a new coach and fifteen new players in the squad (including many Force players who have come over to join Wessels in Melbourne.) Either way, no matter how you look at it, there will be many curious eyes on Melbourne when they kick off again next year. They have to perform.
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