Thursday’s Rugby News sees the fallout from Stannard’s one punch attack, Spain learning their fate, the Rebels having a point to prove, and more on the Super W.
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Not guilty
Sam Oliver, the British backpacker who was accused of assaulting Aussie Sevens captain James Stannard in Coogee was brought before Waverly Local Court yesterday.
Oliver pleaded not guilty to the assault of Stannard, which reportedly took place at 3am outside a kebab shop on March 30. The injury meant that Stannard missed out on competing at the Commonwealth Games.
According to police, Stannard was reportedly “seemingly having a nice conversation” when the punch was thrown. The attacker – who lived nearby – tried to make a run for it and got “some distance” before being detained by Stannard’s friends.
Oliver was charged by police with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He has called six witnesses up in his defence, while police will call several witnesses, tender CCTV footage, and include a recorded police interview.
Oliver is currently out on bail, on the condition he surrenders his passport and doesn’t drink alcohol.
The case will return to court on June 6.
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A Point to Prove
The Rebels have been far from consistent the last month.
A poor turnout against the Waratahs and Hurricanes, an amazing turnout against the Sharks, and a surprise loss to the Jagaures has seen the Stockade relinquish top spot in the Australian conference.
Add to that, they also lost Will Genia over the weekend.
But, there is a way to change all that and stop the rot: grab a surprise win against the Bulls this weekend in Pretoria.
In their entire history, the best effort the Rebels have managed in the Rainbow Nation is a draw. They have never won a match there.
They do have a solid backup scrumhalf however in Michael Ruru, and also Junior Wallabies halfback Harrison Goddard. And, if they were to grab a win without Genia, that, according to Reece Hodge, will be the ultimate confidence boost the team needs.
“I think it’s important for the confidence of not only the rest of the team but also Mikey and Harrison,” he said.
“They’re more than up to the challenge.
“They’re both leaders in their own right as halfback you’ve got to be demanding of the teammates around you and you’ve got to be a leader on the field.
“We’ve have full confidence that both of them can do that and it’s up to us to put the structures around them so they can excel on the field.”
Bulls player Warrick Gelant was instrumental in his sides 40-10 win over the Sharks last weekend, and Hodge admitted he will be one player they will be looking out for.
“He probably hasn’t really been seen much over the past couple of years, but he’s a very dangerous player and he’s certainly going to provide a threat for us, along with (Jesse) Kriel at outside centre and they’ve got some very exciting wingers as well, so we know we’re going to have our hands full but.
“In saying that, we’ve got some pretty dangerous outside backs as well, going to be an exciting match-up.”
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No Spain, No Gain
It’s going to be an intense couple of hours today for Spain.
World Rugby is set to hand down it’s findings on their controversial game against Belgium that saw Romania through to the World Cup.
It has not begun well for them , with five players being suspended for their after-game antics towards the referee in the controversial match.
The longest suspension was to Spanish scrumhalf Sebastien Rouet, who was slapped with a 43 week ban. The Spanish are counting the result as lenient, as many within Rugby Europe were calling for a ban of five years.
But, coach Santiago Santos admitted that the sanctions have had a severe mental impact on the team when he spoke to Americas Rugby News:
“Some of the players told me that they do not want to even train or play rugby.
“Beyond the sanction they are disillusioned with rugby and this is very sad.
“I want to believe in justice, that rugby is a fair sport. I believe that the appointment of the referee and the refereeing was unfair and that justice is going to be done.”
It’s been messy on all fronts, with Romania also in trouble for fielding Centre Sione Faka’osilea in six of their eight campaign games, despite not being eligible to play for Romania. This comes after Tahiti were also disqualified for the World Cup on the same grounds.
Spain has fielded two players that are in a similar position to Faka’osilea, which has made the situation even more complicated. World Rugby agreed the Spain-Belgium match should be replayed, but with this revelation thinks could get worse for the Spanish contingent.
“It could come to be that we are disqualified. I am confident that we have done well and the illegibility of the players is being reviewed,” said Santos.
“Our cases that are in doubt are Bélie and Fuster based on involvement for France’s u20’s in 2008. I don’t think there are any problems. I am happy with what we have done but I don’t know who this will end up.
“Either we are Europe 1 or we are disqualified”.
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Cool as a Campbell
The Super W final will be taking place tomorrow afternoon, and with us hearing from the NSW camp yesterday, today will head over the border to Queensland.
Cheyenne Campbell will be one of the girls lining up for the Reds. Getting into rugby through her dad and through her club Redlands, Campbell is a teacher at Shailer Park State High School, and admitted that having this competition around has already yielded benefits with her seeing a lot more female students taking an interest in rugby.
“We’ve got a few girls that are interested,” she said to rugby.com.au.
“They’re really eager and now there’s a clear pathway for them it’s becoming a lot more common, which is awesome.
“It’s really cool to know they’re talking about it and watching and they’re aware that girls play and women play.”
A distinguished Wallaroo already, Campbell admits that having the Super W was long overdue for Womens Rugby.
“It does change things a bit when I think about continuing to play and to strive for Wallaroos (selection),” Campbell said.
“In the back of my mind that feeling is there because this is a great new pathway and is a platform for higher honours.
“So at the moment I still have the drive and I think as long as I have that drive and I’m committed to making sacrifices and to play and to try and make Wallaroos again, I’ll keep going.
“We’ve got some great new talent coming through and will have for many more years to come and you do find yourself in a bit of a mentoring role.
“I love passing on knowledge and sharing what I know with the younger girls and for some of them, this is all they know; they don’t know what it was like to have to fundraise to go to a tournament.
“If I can pass that knowledge onto the girls, that’s something I can leave as a legacy.”
The Super W final kicks off tomorrow at 4:45pm. If you are an adult and you turn up to watch before 5pm, you can buy a GA ticket for the Super W and Super Rugby for just $15.
If only they could make the beer price cheaper.
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