Thursday’s rugby news has Beale drama, the fallout from Robbie Deans’ book, Foley confident of keeping his spot and some changes to the Argentinean team.
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Beale in trouble again
The ARU’s integrity unit is reportedly investigating an incident involving Kurtley Beale on the team’s flight from Johannesburg to Brazil. Beale allegedly abused a member of the team management, who has since left the team to return to Australia.
Although the Waratahs centre is expected to play on Sunday, with the investigation unlikely to conclude by then, his future in Australian rugby could be in jeopardy if the allegations are confirmed. Beale has been on a stricter probation period after a number of alcohol-related incidences and he is notably off-contract at the end of the season.
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Deans’ tell-all released
Former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has opened up about his tenure, expressing his disappointment with the manner in which the ARU terminated his contract last year. “Things were going on behind the scenes,” he said from his post with Japanese rugby side the Panasonic Wild Knights. “On reflection now, that was disappointing… there was obviously a lot more going on than I was aware of.”
Deans also criticised the Wallabies leadership group for the team’s capitulation during the second half of the 41-16 loss in the third Lions Test.
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Foley not feeling pressure
Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley is unconcerned with the re-emergence of former 10 Quade Cooper, who is starting to build his match fitness at the Brisbane City NRC team as a means to push for Test selection.
“I think Quade has experience in this position but I think he’s been out of the game for a while,” Foley said. “You try not to get too worried about the guys behind you. You just worry about trying to improve as a player.” The next run of Wallaby matches may determine Link’s preference for World Cup selection
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Argentina make changes
Argentina have made six changes to their starting line up for the final Rugby Championship Test against Australia in Mendoza on Saturday. Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade will be without veteran back rowers Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Jean Manuel Leguizamon.
Lobbe has flown back to his home in France to join his wife and newborn child, while Leguizamon will miss his second Test after injuring a calf muscle in the side’s 32-25 loss to the Wallabies. Hourcade has also switched his starterts at tighthead prop (to Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro), halfback (Martin Landajo), outside centre (Horacio Agulla) and wing (Lucas González Amorosino).
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