Thursday’s rugby news has the Wallabies penalty problem, some changes to the Pumas, Giteau getting paid and the Springboks going with their rookie 10.
[one_half last=”no”]
Link targets stupid penalties
Ewen McKenzie has called for the Wallabies to be more “clinical” in their play, with special mention given to the need to eliminate ‘SFPs’ or “Stupid f—ing penalties.” The team gave up 12 penalties against the Springboks.
Rob Simmons was particularly guilty on the SFP front, notably obstructing a defender at the breakdown as prop Pek Cowan appeared to have scored in the 66th minute. “That’s something we need to address,” Simmons said. “It’s something I’m trying to improve and manage a lot better.”
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Pumas make changes
Argentina has made three changes from the team beaten 29-9 by New Zealand. Coming into the side for Saturday’s clash against Australia will be Matias Alemanno, taking the place of lock Tomas Lavanini who was suspended for one match for shoulder charging Richie McCaw.
Coach Daniel Hourcade has also switched his wingers. Juan Imhoff has been promoted to right wing from the bench to replace Horacio Agulla, with Manuel Montero coming in for Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino on the left flank.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Giteau given massive deal
French newspapers are reporting that former Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau has been offered a $1.4million a season deal from competing Top 14 club Racing Metro. Irish flyhalf Jonathan Sexton will leave Racing Metro for Leinster to allow him to play next year’s World Cup, leaving the club with a gap at 10, with Giteau’s Toulon contract finishing in 2014/15.
This kind of offer could have massive ramifications for Australian rugby. While Giteau has been a top performer in the Top 14 since 2011, if he is worth that much at 31 how much will stars like Beale, Cooper and Folau be expecting of the ARU at contract time?
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Young 10 to start for Springboks
South African coach Heyneke Meyer will start rookie Handre Pollard at five-eighth against the All Blacks on Saturday. “We felt that Handre has the right skill set for how we want to approach this game,” said Meyer of the 20-year-old, who started at 10 in the Springboks’ opening two wins of the Championship against Argentina.
Another notable feature of the coming match is that Captain Jean de Villiers will celebrate his 100th test cap for South Africa. “When the big names in South African rugby are mentioned, Jean will forever be among them,” coach Meyer said.
[/one_half]
