Tuesday’s rugby news has Matt Giteau arriving in Sydney, Pat McCutcheon fit for Olympics, Steve Hansen ready for the Rugby Championship and Victor Vito set to play his last match for the Hurricanes.
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Giteau Joins Camp
Matt Giteau has joined the Wallabies in camp in Sydney in preparation for the Rugby Championship.
It is understood that Giteau could be sacrificing a six-figure amount to make himself available for the Wallabies rather than staying in France and training with Toulon.
Team officials said Giteau was in good spirits when he entered the camp after arriving back in Australia early on Monday morning.
The Brumbies players have also joined the camp following their Super Rugby campaign.
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McCutcheon Fit
Australian Sevens star Pat McCutcheon is fit and firing for the Olympics despite being in doubt with a minor Hamstring tear.
“It’s probably not known to the public but I had a minor tear to my hamstring against Japan which put me in a little bit of doubt and gave me a fair amount of anxiety,” McCutcheon said.
“Nick Poulos (Head of Athletic Performance) and Simon Harris (Head of Performance Science and Rehabilitation) have put me through a pretty strict rehab program and I had to meet certain goals to make sure I am available to play.
“There aren’t any issues with the hamstring now.”
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Hansen Ready
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dismissed any suggestions that the Wallabies will not be threatening in the Rugby Championship due to their Super Rugby form and their performance against England.
“It’s farcical to think they won’t turn up and create a tremendous competition in the Championship,” he said.
“Australia has four weeks to get ready to play a Test, we’ve got a week by the time we get everyone there, so that’s an advantage.
“They’ve brought some quality men back from overseas and they’ve also got a quality coach coming from New Zealand by the name of Mick Byrne, so that’ll enhance them as well.
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Vito’s Farewell
Victor Vito is set to earn his 100th cap in his final game for the Hurricanes in this weekend’s Super Rugby final.
Vito will head to France to play for La Rochelle later this month.
“A hundred games is pretty massive for me personally, but for me I’m just more excited about the fact that once again we are giving ourselves shot to win a title as a team,” he said.
“Last year was last year and this year’s team is a completely different team.
“But it’s quite a different feel this year, it’s no better or worse, it’s just different.
“I think the culture’s been building for the last few years and if anything, the teams before, especially last year’s team just instilled that belief.”
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