Thursday’s rugby news has all the news from the Wallaby squad announcement, with Speight in, a change in playmakers, McKenzie confident and the return of Springbok Juan Smith.
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Speight included in Aussie squad
Explosive Brumbies winger Henry Speight has been named in the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad. The Fijian-born Speight is the only uncapped player named and will only become eligible to play after September 11, meaning that he will miss the opening three matches of the tournament.
Speight was on fire against the Chiefs last week and Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie was quick to recognise the impact that the ACT winger could have. “Call it X-factor or game-breakers or whatever you like, the All Blacks have been blessed with many of them over the years and it’s nice to have a few,” McKenzie said, adding that the Australian team has been searching for an attacking weapon to complement fullback Israel Folau. [/one_half]
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Wallaby halves missing
The Bledisloe Cup squad was noticeably missing former Test combination Quade Cooper and Will Genia, who are both still nursing injuries. Ewen McKenzie revealed that Genia was “a way off” returning from ankle surgery, only just beginning his running program. Cooper, who underwent hip and shoulder surgery in May, was always going to struggle to make it back until late in the Rugby Championship.
Luke Burgess has been called up to fill the absent halback spot while Waratahs team-mates Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley will fight for the 10 jersey. Despite being used off the bench at No.12 in the Wallabies’ clean sweep of France, McKenzie has said that Beale could still be picked at 10 for the upcoming series. [/one_half]
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McKenzie confident in new team
After his Wallaby squad announcement, Ewen McKenzie has emphasised his belief in the current Test representatives, who will enter the upcoming Rugby Championships on the back of a very successful Super Rugby season amongst the Australian teams.
“Form and confidence, they’re good attributes to have,” McKenzie said yesterday. “If you’re out there beating your opponents and winning consistently – and that’s what these teams have been doing – then the Wallabies will be doing the same thing.” [/one_half]
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Juan Smith set for return
South African flanker Juan Smith will make a surprising return to the Test arena 18 months after persistent injuries forced his premature retirement. Smith has been called up for the Rugby Championships after the 33-year-old enjoyed a period of good health following a recurring Achilles’ tendon injury which has required four surgeries starting in 2011.
Seven months after his 2013 retirement Smith passed a medical and signed a short-term contract with Toulon. Smith and his Toulon team mates Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana will now be released from club duties for the six-Test competition. [/one_half]
