Tuesday’s rugby news has Beale’s confidence, Aussie Women placing first, ARU condolences for the complicated format and a boost to the Irish team.
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Beale confident of shift
Kurtley Beale has declared he can successfully handle the chief playmaking role for the Super Rugby team in the absence of injured five-eighth Bernard Foley. Foley sustained a shoulder injury in the Waratahs’ 40-35 loss to the Highlanders last Friday and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.
“I’m very comfortable playing in a No.10 jersey, I’ve been playing there throughout the whole pre-season so I’ve got a really good understanding of how Daryl wants to shape the team and how we want to play in the first couple of rounds,” Beale said, also expressing his regard for the talent of back-up Dave Horwitz.
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Women’s Sevens win Sao Paulo
The Australian women’s sevens team have won another world series title, firming their favouritism for a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Rio. World series leaders Australia demolished Canada 29-0 in the cup final in Brazil, scoring five tries in a dominant display in wet conditions in Sao Paulo.
“We’re certainly up there with being the potential favourites [for Rio]. It’s a long way away though,” women’s sevens coach Tim Walsh said. The victory puts Australia well on top of the world standings, ahead of New Zealand (28 points), Canada (28) and France (26) with three legs remaining.
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New format more complex
ARU bosses concede that it may be difficult for Australian fans to get used to the new Super rugby format. Three new teams have been added to the competition, one each from Argentina (the Jaguares, based in Buenos Aires), Japan (the Sunwolves, based in Tokyo but also playing three games in Singapore) and the Southern Kings from South Africa.
The South African division will now be split into two with the new territories playing in these pools. The format of the finals and the advance of conference winners will also change. “Hopefully as we get our teeth in to the season everyone will get their heads around it and will be able to understand the complex nature of it,” ARU chief operating officer Rob Clarke said.
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Irish props back from injury
Ireland have handed recalls to fit-again props Cian Healy and Mike Ross ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations match against England at Twickenham. The Leinster pair were named in a 34-man squad to prepare for the match with injury-hit Ireland having just one point from the first two games in the tournament.
Johnny Sexton also has been named in Ireland’s training squad as expected, despite turning his ankle in last week’s open training session. Ireland’s coaches expect their first choice fly-half to be fully fit in time to face England.
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