Thursdays Rugby News sees Reds name their squad, Larkham’s influence on U20s, Sam Whitelock re-signs, and George Smith released.
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REDS SQUAD NAMED
Another injury to a young back has forced the Reds to make a change to their starting line up.
Jock Campbell will make his run on debut for the Reds on Friday after making his debut off the bench in South Africa.
Campbell comes in to the starting line up as a replacement for Jack Hardy who ruptured his ACL and will be out for a year. Long term injuries to Jordan Petaia (foot) and Filipo Daugunu (broken arm) have lead the Reds to call up Campbell from The University of Queensland.
A former Warringah player, Campbell made the move north after he failed to pick up a contract with the Waratahs.
Brothers back Seb Wileman has been named for a possible debut off the bench.
Campbell is the only change to the starting line up that beat the Bulls in Pretoria a fortnight ago with defence coach Peter Ryan saying everyone earned the right to keep their spot.
“They were fantastic against the Sharks – in my view, we were diabolical against the Bulls but it’s a tough place to play in Pretoria,” he said.
The Reds also had a horrid start against the Sunwolves in Tokyo before coming back for a special victory, but Ryan admits the Reds are ready for the threat that the Sunwolves offer.
“The second half was pretty special to get away with the win over there, especially in another country,” Ryan said.
“They can get anyone,” Ryan said.
“They nearly got the Hurricanes, they got the Waratahs – so the teams they’ve played haven’t been gumbies by any (means).
“Their efforts and their understanding of the game and the way they want to play it under Tony Brown, he’s a smart coach and they play a great game of footy.”
The Reds Squad to face the Sunwolves
1. Harry Hoopert 2. Alex Mafi 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Izack Rodda 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6. Angus Scott-Young 7. Liam Wright 8. Scott Higginbotham 9. Tate McDermott 10. Bryce Hegarty 11. Sefa Naivalu 12. Samu Kerevi (c) 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia 14. Jock Campbell 15. Hamish Stewart University
Reserves
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 17. JP Smith 18. Ruan Smith 19. Harry Hockings 20. Adam Korczyk – 21. Moses Sorovi 22. Duncan Paia’aua 23. Seb Wileman
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LARKHAM’S INFLUENCE
Junior Wallaby Will Harrison has praised the efforts of Stephen Larkham and the influence he’s had in his short time in the role of national high performance coach advisor.
Larkham has been working closely with the U20s squad in the build up to the U20 World Championships in Junes, and playmaker Harrison is making sure he takes every piece of advice.
” ‘Bernie’ has been awesome for me,” Harrison said.
“I’ve had a lot of one-on-one time and for a player of his (calibre) and what he’s done in rugby, I think it’s amazing.
“He’s done a lot with me on my kicking, my passing, my running and he’s trying to build that triple threat game.”
Harrison came up through the Australian School Boys system, and is now apart of the wider training squad with the Waratah’s, but the former captain can’t believe how lucky the U20s program is to have a player/coach of Larkham’s calibre.
“It just shows what a good person he is on and off the field,” Harrison said.
“Giving back to boys coming up like myself, I just can’t thank him enough.
“I don’t think many other 20s squads would have a 100-cap flyhalf come in and help out, so it just shows what a character he is and we need more of them, so I’m definitely looking up to him when I go into the game, for sure.”
Larkham came into the role of national high performance coach advisor after being scapegoated by Michael Cheika for last years poor performance by the Wallabies, but U20s coach Jason Gilmore believes having Larkham mentor the young generation the way he is could be a masterstroke.
“He’s been excellent,” Gilmore said.
“He’s obviously got great experience as a player at these types of tournaments, won a World cup himself and has been coaching at the highest level.
“He’s a very composed man, assesses information very nicely and he’s been a really good sounding board for all the staff.”
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WHITELOCK RE-SIGNS
Sam Whitelock, the man tipped to be the next All Blacks captain has signed a four-year contract extension with NZRU, with a bonus that he can remain an All Black despite playing in Japan for the 2020 season.
The All Blacks traditionally don’t pick overseas based players, but the NZRU acknowledge the importance of Whitelock that they are making an acceptation to the rule.
The move is done to brace for the post World Cup exodus with players moving over seas or retiring. In 2015 the All Blacks lost eight of their top players. Whitelock is expect to replace current captain Kieran Read after the World Cup.
“We have to be flexible when it comes to renegotiating with our leading players and that’s what we have done with Sam,” NZR chief executive Steve Tew said.
“His recommitment alongside a number of other key players gives us a strong foundation for the next four years,” Tew said.
The All Blacks have granted sabbaticals in the past but players become ineligible for national selection, but in this case they made an exception “on the basis of his long-standing and outstanding service to New Zealand rugby and the fact he has signed a four-year deal”.
Whitelock will miss the 2020 Super Rugby season in favour of reuniting with his old Crusaders coach Robbie Deans at Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan’s Top League.
“Ultimately, this decision allows me to take some time with my family to experience a new rugby environment in Japan, before coming back refreshed and ready for the remainder of 2020 and beyond,” he said.
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GEORGE SMITH RELEASED
Wallaby Legend George Smith is now a free agent and on the hunt for a new home for next season after being released from Bristol in the English Premiership competition.
The 38-year old Smith signed a short term contract with Bristol after a two year stint at the Queensland Reds.
He is one of 11 players released from the club this week, after playing in 18 Premiership matches in the clubs first season after being promoted to the Premiership.
Smith said last year that he had a goal to play into 2020 to have a career that spans four-decades. His career has seen him play in Australia, England and France and represent the Wallabies 111 times.
“I do have a personal target,” Smith said last December.
“I started in 1999 and it would be nice to make that fourth decade, playing at least a few times in each, because no professional has done that.
“I’ve always enjoyed my football with all the teams I’ve been part of and it’s great to play rugby for a living, so it’s not hard to find the motivation to carry on.
“I had a short-term contract at Bristol but with the way the team was going, for me to extend shows the faith I have in the way we play the game and the people in the squad.
“It’s just for six months so we’ll leave it there for now and see how things go then.”
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