Tuesday’s Rugby News: Junior Gold Cup Curtain raiser at Suncorp, Sef Fa’agase out for a week (sort of), Decision time for Brumbies and Force, Folau finally moving to the centres.
[one_half last=”no”]
U17 JGC Plays Curtainraiser at Suncorp
Western Sydney played Brisbane in the U17 Junior Gold Cup final on Sunday as a curtain raiser for the Reds vs. Waratahs game. In what was probably an omen for the senior side, Brisbane City went down 38-3 to the Western Sydney side. The general consensus in Caxton St following the turgid viewing on offer in the senior game was that the JGC was better watching.
The coach of the Western Sydney team, Jack Lloyd, was upbeat about western Sydney’s role as a rugby nursery, with a number of the players having gone against the flow and come from league to union, adding that the ARU and NSWRU need to actively support the area.
Sef Fa’agase Receives 1 Match Suspension
Reds prop Sef Fa’agase has been given a one week ban for reckless use of the knee during Saturdays Reds-Waratahs match. In a fortunate coincidence, with QLD having a bye this weekend, he was listed to play for the Red Heavies in their match against Bond University, so will not miss any Super Rugby matches.
The Waratahs Tolu Latu benefited from the same judicial loophole earlier in the season.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Brumbies and Force future clarified?
Actions today in Perth and Canberra will impact the direction the Force and Brumbies management move. In Canberra Michael Jones will be back in court, while in Perth Bill Pulver will be discussing the future form the Western Force franchise will take. Apparently the franchise will stay in Perth, and there have been whispers of interest in a partial private ownership model, similar to the way New Zealand franchises are currently operated. (Note: Article is paywalled). Based on previous form, Twitter will be the place to follow the Brumbies saga in near real time.
Injury forces Folau to centres
Following Rob Hornes injury during the Reds-Waratahs match (fractured thumb) it seems Daryl Gibson has a perfect excuse to give Folau a run at outside centre, a move which has been speculated about for some time. Kurtley Beale would move to fullback.
Alternatively Matt Carraro could be brought into the starting side, however considering that Michael Cheika has speculated regularly about Folau’s impact at 13, this seems like a perfect time to try the switch for the match against the Rebels this weekend.
.
[/one_half]
