Thursdays Rugby News sees no final game for Smith, Aon Uni Sevens expanding, Coleman’s in then he’s out, and some big names re-sign with Men’s Sevens.
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NO SWANSONG FOR SMITH
George Smith’s time playing rugby in Australia has come to an end after the back rower missed out on selection for the Redsfinal game against the Sunwolves.
After suffering a knee injury against the Blues, a knock that kept him out of the Reds win against the Rebels, it would seem that George Smith will be forced to watch his last game in an Aussie team from the stands.
“It’s unfortunate that George doesn’t get an opportunity to play in the Reds’ jersey one final time, but we thought it was in his best interests to listen to his body and sit this one out. He has given plenty to us and to Australian Rugby as a whole and we wish him all the best with the rest of his career.” Reds Coach Brad Thorn said.
Unfortunate is the right word to use as the Queensland and Australian rugby fans miss out on the opportunity to properly farewell a legend of the game. No doubt social media and Rugby forums will be flowing with tributes for a man still playing almost 10 years after he retired form Test rugby with 110 caps.
Smith has signed a short-term contract with UK team Bristol after the end of the 2018 Super Rugby Season.
Fans of George Smith (every fan of Australian Rugby) should check out Smith’s interview with Rugby.com.auwhere he discusses how he almost made a comeback for the 2011 World Cup, a life post rugby, who was the best player he played with and who was his toughest opponent. It offers a fascinating insight into one of the best in the game.
Kane Douglas will also miss out on playing his last game for the Reds with Brad Thorne opting to continue with his theme of 2018 and giving the younger players a go.
“Kane Douglas has done a great job for us this season, but with him moving overseas, we felt we should give opportunities to younger players.”
Lukhan Tui will take Douglas’ starting spot in the second row, with a potential debut for Angus Blyth as he comes onto the bench.
The Reds play the Sunwolves at home at 7:45pm AEST
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UNI 7S EXPANDING
After a successful first season the Aon Uni Sevens will be expanding its number of teams and adding a few extra rounds to have the season run from August to October.
This season also sees the inclusion of two new teams, University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney to bring the series into a 10-team completion.
Fans will be able to watch all matches throughout the series live via Rugby.com.au.
The competition brings together university athletes and professional rugby players, with each team featuring players studying at the university. It is Australia’s only all university competition.
Rugby Australia General Manager High Performance, Ben Whitaker said “The expansion of the Aon University Sevens Series to five rounds shows the depth and ambition of not only our cohort of teams but the players who will be competing in 2018.
“With a five-round competition, the series now almost mirrors the number of events on the HSBC Women’s Sevens World Series, which is only going to enhance the series as a player pathway to prepare the next generation of Australian Sevens players for what’s required at the highest level.
“With five great University locations we will also get to showcase Rugby Sevens to new groups of sports fans around the country, supported by a quality broadcast from RUGBY.com.au which will make the competition accessible to all Rugby fans.”
It is great to see Sevens growing as a sport in Australia and to see some of that grassroots money actually go to growing the game across Australia. Hopefully soon there will be a round in every major city and include uni’s from all the states.
2018 Aon University Sevens Series
Round 1
August 25-26, University of Tasmania, Hobart
Round 2
September 8-9, University of Canberra, Canberra
Round 3
September 22-23, University of Queensland, Brisbane
Round 4
October 6-7, Bond University, Gold Coast
Round 5
October 20-21, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide
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COLEMAN IN, COLEMAN OUT
Much like Homer Simpson jumping over the American Embassy line, Adam Coleman is in and out of the Rebels squad to face the Highlanders.
After reports came out that Rebels Captain Adam Coleman was in line to return in the teams do or die match against the Highlanders in Dunedin this weekend, Rugby.com.auare reporting that Coleman did not train with the squad on Wednesday.
This would indeed throw a spanner in the mix for Coleman to be selected; but there still could be potential for one last role of the dice today to get him on the plane to New Zealand, maybe even if it is a bench spot. He definitely would be a handy inclusion off the bench, offering a much-needed second half rev up to the boys from Melbourne.
Current Rebels Captain Tom English was excited to see Coleman back at training and showing his leadership of the squad, especially over the young blokes.
“He’s quite an enforcer and really drives the standards,” English said.
“He gets in the young locks’ ears and tells them what to expect and how to prepare for a big game like the one at the weekend.”
In positive signs for the Rebels, halfback Will Genia and fullback Dane Haylett-Petty have trained fully for the squad and should be putting their hands up for selection. Genia would be a massive in for the Rebels considering how well the team has performed when he is on the field.
Rebels fans will get the answer to the question of is Coleman in or out this afternoon when Coach Wessels names his squad.
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PARAHI AND CONNOR LOCKED IN FOR TOKYO
Keeping with the Sevens theme, the Aussie Men’s team have locked in James Parahi and Tom Connor until the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo.
Parahi has been a member of the Aussie Sevens squad for 8 years, after making his debut at the London tournament. Having racked up 44 sevens caps, Parahi stood in as the Captain of the Australian teams during the 2108 Common Wealth Games, after Lewis Holland was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Men’s coach Tim Walsh praised Parahi for his experience and was excited by the signing.
“To retain the commitment of Jesse is a big piece of the puzzle for the next two years. Jesse’s experience and points of difference form the foundations for consistent podium finishers for the ensuing seasons.”
Connor made his debut this year during the HSBC Sydney 7s and has been a regular in the team, missing only one tournament, the Paris Sevens, due to injury.
“Tom is the man you want in your squad and when the going gets tough you would want Tom by your side.
“A relentless hard worker, professional, always team first and ruthless over the ball. Tom’s hard work, resilience and dedication screams out the cliché “the secret to success is hard work” and once more he enjoys it,” Walsh said.
With these guys committing to the Sevens program, and Henry Hutchison getting an early release from his Rebels contract to return to Sevens, it appears Coach Walsh is looking to build a strong foundation for his squad ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020
The Aussie men will be on their way to San Francisco on Saturday, ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens on July 20.
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