Tuesday’s rugby news has Quade’s future still uncertain, the ARU awarded a $1.7 million grant, Duane Vermeulen to be ready for the World Cup and Sonny Bill Williams praises Sam Burgess.
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Quade’s Future Uncertain
Quade Cooper’s future is still a mystery after he told reporters on Monday that he was solely focused on the Wallabies at the moment.
“I’m very focused on the Wallabies right now,” Cooper said.
“The future is the future and the past is the past. The preparation for this week is all I’m going to focus on – getting out there, doing the right thing, contributing to the team – and we’ll go from there.”
Cooper is also still unsure about whether or not he will start against South Africa on the weekend.
“If I’m a chance, then it’s all looking well,” he said. “We’re all just training, preparing like we’re all going to play.”
“…We are all battling for positions, all pushing to be a better squad and to be ready if the call comes.
“It’s been good having Gitty back in Australia.
“He’s very witty, a good guy to have around the team and his experience is invaluable.”
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ARU Awarded a Grant
The New South Wales government have given the Australian Rugby Union a $1.7 million grant to move it’s offices to Moore Park.
The ARU do not intend to move from St Leonards to Moore Park until 2017, when its current lease expires.
“This grant supports a sport with over 180,000 participants across NSW and helps promote active and healthy lifestyles through the roll-out of non-contact Sevens,” a spokesperson said.
“The total funding pool covers a series of initiatives and milestones and payments are dependent upon those being met.”
“Further details are commercial in confidence.”
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Vermeulen Recovering
South Africa are confident that backrower Duane Vermeulen will be ready for the Rugby World Cup following successful neck surgery.
Vermeulen was previously in doubt to play in the tournament but the Springboks team doctor Craig Roberts is confident he will play.
“The operation went well and we are grateful to the medical staff who looked after Duane.
“The road to recovery is a long one, but we are confident that he can make it to the World Cup.”
“Duane is a team man who has often played through the pain barrier and I know nothing will hold him back.
“We will do everything possible to get him ready in time for the World Cup.”
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SBW Praises Burgess
All Black Sonny Bill Williams has praised fellow code hopper Sam Burgess saying that he could make a big impact at blindside flanker for England.
“I don’t need to talk him up in his rugby league prowess; he was an amazing talent and he is starting to show glimpses of that in rugby,’’ Williams said.
“I think he has probably found his position at No 6 — I watched the (Premiership) final and he was tremendous in that game. Who knows, he could play No 6 or No 12, we’ll just have to wait and see.
“I’ve seen a couple of games that he played at 12 and I saw the final when he was at six and just from watching that game, I felt like he had found the position where he could roam a bit, get a bit more ball, pop up all over the place and bring that physicality that everyone knows he likes to do.”
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