Thursday’s rugby news has Robinson still disappointed, O’Connor in talks with Toulon, the Italians talking upset and Cheika hyping the Waratahs’ chances.
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Robinson still hurt by axing
Benn Robinson remains bitterly disappointed that he is no longer Australia’s starting loose-head prop after being an early casualty of Ewen McKenzie’s Test coaching reign. The Waratahs prop had been a consistent starter since 2006, lodging 59 Tests in that time and although he has been recalled to the Wallabies bench for the last four international matches, he has said that he will not be satisfied until he regains his position.
The 63-Test veteran admits he has found it hard to make an impact off the bench. ‘It makes you realise how much you want to be starting and playing in those pressure moments.’ The loose-head position will be under immense pressure against Italy this weekend, with James Slipper set to lock horns with Italian front-row great Martin Castrogiavanni. [/one_half]
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JOC future still uncertain
James O’Connor met with Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal and head of recruitment Laurent Emmanuelli less than 24 hours after making his London Irish debut. The 23-year-old back was impressive in Irish’s 19-14 Aviva Premiership loss to Northampton, immediately praising his new club. ‘The club and all the boys have been awesome since I arrived and I am really looking forward to my time here,’ he said.
London Irish boss Brian Smith has now said that he was aware of the meet-up with Toulon and nevertheless remains confident of securing the former Wallaby fullback beyond the end of his contract in May. ‘I knew where James was’ Smith said, before emphasising ‘We are very keen for James to stay for 18 months rather than six.’ [/one_half]
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Aussie McLean eyes upset
Seven years after playing alongside Will Genia and Nick Cummins in the Australian Under-19s, Luke McLean will line up at fullback for his 50th Italian Test cap. Townsville-born McLean, who qualifies to play for the Azzurri through an Italian grandmother, left Perth in late 2007. Under Frenchman Jaques Brunel, Italy have recently closed the gap against the top nations and McLean has said that a win over the fourth-best team in the world ‘would probably be the biggest victory in Italian history.’ A positive result would also be important to ‘prove to ourselves, and the Italian public as well, that we are on the right track.’
And just quickly, French star Sebastien Chabal has said that this season will be his last, asserting that while he is mentally able to compete professionally, at 36, his body is not.
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Waratahs want to keep building
Waratahs coach Micheal Cheika has emphasised that he has been a bit smarter in preparations for his second year with the club. ‘I am a bit more knowledgeable myself,’ the Waratahs coach admits. ‘We have a better idea about what we need to be successful.’ While Cheika guided the side to ninth last year, an improvement from the 11th placed finish in 2011, the result was still a long way from being a successful year.
Cheika instead saw last year as an important step in building the foundation of a long-term plan. ‘Last year was more about laying a certain playing style platform, so there was a lot more team orientated work,’ Cheika said, also stating that the team management could now shift their attention to building individual talents as well. [/one_half]
