Tuesday’s rugby news has Michael Cheika unfazed by Eddie Jones’ niggle, Jones predicts the Wallabies team, Cheika pays tribute to Muhammad Ali and Wales to Toulon secure home semi-final.
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Cheika Not Fazed
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has remained unfazed by the niggle of England coach and former clubmate Eddie Jones.
“I don’t think he’s really thrown a lot of barbs. He hasn’t called me fat or anything. Or bald, or I’m getting bald or anything like that,” Cheika said.
“It hasn’t been nasty but he’s just doing what he thinks his team needs. He thinks his team might need this so that’s what he’s doing to support his team, which is only normal that a coach would do.
“My focus is very much with or team and I really just want the guys to improve. I’m very passionate about the game being played the right way by the national team and I think the players are very much starting to love that idea of being in camp together.
“They are getting themselves ready to play for their country and really that’s all that counts.”
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Eddie’s Predictions
England coach Eddie Jones has attempted to predict the team Michael Cheika will choose for the first test in Brisbane.
“Is he going to throw a young uncapped lock (Arnold) into the first Test of a series like this … no,” Jones said.
“Karmichael Hunt will be on the bench at best, but I see why because he’s the good, tough, no nonsense player that Cheik likes.
“Israel Folau will be in his normal spot at fullback not in the centres.
“Lealiifano will be the starter at inside centre and he’ll play the big Fijian (Taqele Naiyaravoro) on the wing or maybe (Dane) Haylett-Petty.
“The only big decision the Wallabies have is at left lock with James Horwill or Sam Carter to partner Rob Simmons.
“Given it’s Suncorp Stadium, the home town guy Horwill will likely get the nod.”
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Cheika Pays Tribute
Michael Cheika has paid tribute to the late boxer Muhammad Ali.
Cheika revealed that the Wallabies were one of the many sporting teams which use him fro motivation.
“I know we are a long, long way away but I’d like to let his family know that our thoughts are well and truly with them and I’ll tell you why,” Cheika said.
“We, like many sporting teams around the world, have used that man as inspiration with motivational videos, in posters that go up on the wall and in the phrases and sayings that he’s used.
“We’ve been able to use a part of his aura to help us build our own personalities and we should pay respect to that.
“Even though we don’t know the man and only know him through his boxing and his stature, we’ve used his life and what he’s done in life to inspire us.”
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Toulon Secure Semi-Final
Toulon have smashed Bordeaux 44-3 in the last round of the Top 14 season to secure a home semi-final.
Bordeaux were without Australian stars Australia Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder) and Sekope Kepu (contract release) and their chances of winning was made more difficult after Metuisela Talebula was given a red card in the 21st minute.
James O’Connor started at fullback and scored a length of the field try. He also ran 172 metres from 12 carries, which included one clean linebreak and six defenders beaten.
Matt Giteau played a full match at flyhalf and was solid in attack and defence.
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