Tuesday’s rugby news has Cheika not interested in coaching England, Ed Jenkins relieved, Reds to resist playing Brad Thorn and Wasps smash Leinster.
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Cheika Staying
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has asserted that he is committed to Australian rugby and has no interest in coaching England.
Cheika is currently back in the UK to coach the Barbarians who will play Argentina and Gloucester this week.
“No-one from England Rugby has contacted me and they know they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia and that’s where I want to be coaching,” he said.
“I’m Australian coaching Australia. It’s like ‘the dream’. There is nothing that would make me change my mind. I never thought I’d be coaching Australia and I’m enjoying it and I want to do the best I can in that role for as long as I can.
“I’ve watched (the reports) with a bit of amusement wondering why no-one ever comes to the source and asks, but that’s the way it is I suppose.”
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Jenkins Relieved
Men’s Sevens captain Ed Jenkins has expressed relief after the team qualified for Rio Olympics net year.
Jenkins thought he would be too old when it was announced in 2009 that Sevens would become part of the Olympics but at the age of 30 it is likely that he will lead his country in 8 months time
“It’s a big relief more than anything for the boys to lock the trip for Rio and be able to start the planning,” Jenkins said from Auckland.
“This was a tremendous effort from a team on the up. We want to be in the medal hunt and we’ll be thinking gold in Rio.
“When rugby sevens was voted into the Olympics (in 2009) I was delighted but I always told people when they asked that I’d be too old by the time 2016 came around.
“Now it is in sight eight months away.”
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Reds Resist Playing Thorn
The Queensland Reds are resisting adding the ageless Brad Thorn to their 2016 playing roster despite a hole in the second row position left by the injury to Kane Douglas.
Thorn has returned to Queensland where he will begin the role of forwards coach for the Reds’ elite development squad
“We have not had any discussions with Brad regarding playing for the Reds in 2016,” new Reds general manager Daniel Herbert said.
“He’ll be joining us as a forwards coach with his valuable experience to be passed on to the Reds elite development squad.”
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Wasps Smash Leinster
George Smith’s Wasps have smashed Leinster 33-6 to set up a match against Quade Cooper’s Toulon.
Winger Christian Wade scored the first try for Wasps before scrum-half Joe Simpson and former All Blacks winger Charles Piutau sealed a compressive victory for Wasps in the second half.
Toulon are still yet to play Bath after their match was postponed due to the Paris terrorist attacks.
Ospreys, Leicester, Northampton, Saracens and Munster all recorded victories in their matches over the weekend.
