Thursday’s rugby news has Skelton backing up for the Waratahs on the bench, Phipps focused on a win, North Harbour Rays to play at Brookvale Oval and Matt Toomua ruled out.
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Skelton to Back up on the Bench
After an impressive debut for the Wallabies, Will Skelton has been selected on the bench after Michael Cheika favoured Kane Douglas and Jacques Potgieter to start in the second row. Cheika challenged Skelton to back up his performance from last Saturday.
“Still very new on the circuit and … he knows that himself … That’s the best part. You don’t have to worry about him getting a big head” Cheika said.
“He is going to start coming up against a lot more challenges, starting Saturday night – [against] guys who now know who he is [and] are going to try and get at him.
“So he is going to have to learn to deal with that, that extra attention. And I’m sure he will manage it. He has the demeanour for it, but experience is the best teacher.”[/one_half]
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Phipps Focused on a Win
Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps has played down any potential battle for the Wallabies halfback position with Nic White in this weekend’s match against the Brumbies. Phipps was only focused on making sure the Waratahs get a win after being beaten by the Brumbies in Canberra earlier this year.
“It is definitely not on my mind,” Phipps said.
“I know I am playing Nic, but as a far as I am concerned, I just want to get the win.
“It’s not about getting one over opposite players. I don’t think it would be for any of the boys. It’s more about getting a win.”[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Rays to Play at Brookvale
The North Harbour Rays have announced that they will be playing their four home games at Brookvale oval for this season’s National Rugby Championship. Brookvale oval is the home of the Manly Sea Eagles and has a capacity of approximately 23 000 people. The official draw has not been released by the Australian Rugby Union but it is believed that the first home game will be against the NSW Country Eagles on Thursday, September 4 followed by a clash with the Perth Spirit at Brookvale on Saturday, September 20.
The two other home games will be played against the Greater Sydney Rams on Sunday, September 28 and Brisbane on Saturday, October 11.[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Toomua Out
Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua has officially been ruled out of this weekend’s match against the Waratahs due to a groin injury. Christian Lealiifano is expected to take over the flyhalf position where he excelled in during the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Ex Brumbies player and current Waratahs player Stephen Hoiles said that the Brumbies will be relishing the fact people are disregarding the Brumbies due to their huge injury toll.
“They would be probably loving the fact that everyone is talking us up and talking about their injuries,” said Hoiles.
“You have to remember they made the final last year and were unlucky not to win it. So they have a lot of experience at the end of the season in the big games.”[/one_half]
