Thursday’s rugby news has a legend’s support for the NRC, Beale back at training, Cummins honoured by RUPA and the retained uncertainty of Super Rugby.
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Mortlock backs NRC
Former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock believes that a successful National Rugby Championship is imperative to helping Australian rugby catch up to its two southern hemisphere rivals. ‘Without a doubt we’ve been crying out for this for a long, long time,’ Mortlock said. ‘New Zealand have got the ITM Cup, South Africa have got the Currie Cup. We don’t have any equivalent.’
The legendary centre also saw that ARU powerbrokers need to put aside their various political agendas to make this new concept work. Several third-tier competitions have been proposed and staged in recent memory, but ARU boss Bill Pulver insists that the NRC will avoid the financial pitfalls of the ill-fated 2007 ARC, largely due to the broadcasting and sponsorship deals absolving the ARU of the financial burden. [/one_half]
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Cheika pleased with Beale
Kurtley Beale has had his first training session with the Waratahs following a shoulder operation, and coach Michael Cheika has said that the former Wallaby’s return has presented a positive selection dilemma. Beale will be pitted against Isreal Folau and Bernard Foley for 2014 positions when the pair return from the Wallabies’ tour of Europe.
‘[Beale] has that flexibility as a playmaker no matter where he plays,’ Cheika said. ‘If he plays at fullback or at five-eighth, he can do that job for us.’ The NSW coach did maintain though that he will not play Folau on the wing, although he could be moved to outside centre if it proves that Beale is the best option at fullback. Although Beale was previously a Waratah starter at five-eighth, Cheika has also emphasised his high regard for incumbent Foley. [/one_half]
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Cummins shines at RUPA awards
In a follow up from yesterday’s news, the Honey Badger has won RUPA’s Medal for Excellence. Cummins was rewarded by his fellow Super Rugby players for his spring tour form, charity work and perseverance after an injury-plagued domestic season. Israel Folau, Michael Hooper and Christian Lealiifano were the other three finalists.
While he missed out on the major award, Folau was named RUPA’s Newcomer of the Year after his spectacular debut season where he equalled Lote Tuqiri’s all-time record for most tries in a season by a Wallaby and was also named Australia’s Super Rugby rookie of the year. The 24-year-old also picked up the People’s Choice Player of the Year for 2013 at Wednesday’s RUPA awards, narrowly beating Hooper and Quade Cooper. [/one_half]
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S15 structure still uncertain
SANZAR has yet to decide upon a Super Rugby structure for 2016 and beyond, struggling to accommodate for a sixth South African team. A decision is expected in the new year. SANZAR boss Greg Peters has said that the extra South African team makes the tournament much more complex, also emphasising that the inclusion of an Argentinean side remains a viable option.
Meanwhile, the Pumas have decided to turn their back on South Africa’s Vodocom Cup and will instead compete in the 2014 Pacific Cup. The tournament, traditionally designed to strengthen the lower tier rugby nations, will be be played in March and April in Australia and will feature five Australian teams in addition to Argentina, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the USA. [/one_half]
