Thursday’s rugby news has the fans’ opinion on our Test skipper, Hunt changes position again, a promising resigning for the Rebels and Burgess set for the World Cup.
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Fans want Moore
In one set of voting here, fans have overwhelmingly come out in support of Stephen Moore to lead the Wallabies to the World Cup. As of this morning, 51 per cent of fans voted for Moore, while former Wallabies captain David Pocock was the second favourite in the poll, with 27 per cent, while incumbent Michael Hooper was struggling for public support at just 13 per cent.
Moore had been picked by Michael Cheika’s predecessor Ewen McKenzie as the 2014 skipper but the veteran hooker suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first test of the year against France. At the end of last international season, Cheika said, “It’s going to be about just deciding what’s best for the team at that time,” although adding “I’m very happy with the job that Michael Hooper’s doing.”
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Hunt switches to centre
Karmichael Hunt has been offered a call-up at outside centre for the struggling Queensland Reds on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. It will only be Hunt’s fifth appearance in 12 games of a stop-start Super Rugby season blighted by his cocaine suspension and niggling injuries. Samu Kerevi has been moved to inside centre, vacant because of Anthony Faingaa’s head knock of last Friday.
Meanwhile, Jake McIntyre will make his starting Super Rugby debut at 10. The 21 year old was the starting fly half for the majority of Brisbane City’s title run in last year’s NRC and made a late start to this season because of knee surgery. Reds coach Richard Graham has also switched James O’Connor to fullback and Lachie Turner to the wing .
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Rebels resign Reid
Melbourne based Super Rugby side the Rebels have extended flanker Jordy Reid’s contract keeping him with the club until at least the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.Reid, who is in his third season at the Club, has been outstanding during the recent run of four wins from the past five matches.
“He has always shown a determination to learn from those around him, be that teammates or coaching staff, to make the most of any opportunities and to continue to develop his game,” emphasised coach Tony McGahan. Reid said competition for places in the backrow against Sean McMahon, Colby Fainga’a and Scott Fuglistaller helped accelerate his development.
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Burgess back in RWC graces
Bath coach Mike Ford has emphasised that the team’s inside centre-come-flanker Sam Burgess is ready to put his hand up for England duty. Stuart Lancaster will next week unveil the 45-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup and Burgess has long been rumoured to be in line for a call-up to the extended party.
Ford feels Burgess’s versatility to cover centre and back-row is the “added string to his bow” that can secure him selection, possibly allowing Lancaster to pick six forwards on the bench.”I will crack on with what I am doing here and let that take care of itself,” Burgess said. “But if the chance came to represent my country, I would give my utmost to represent it the best I could.
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