Tuesday’s rugby news has more Wallabies line-up speculation, an SA legend starting again, McCabe back to running and some international roster movements.
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McKenzie flags changes
In an update to yesterday’s comments from Stephan Larkham, Ewen McKenzie has instead flagged a potential line-up shift for Saturday’s Test. Link has emphasised competition and opportunity over patience as a means of arresting the Wallabies current three-match losing streak. ‘We’ve won one Test in the last five, that’s the reality of it, so I’m going to keep searching,’ he said yesterday.
Perhaps the most notable statement from McKenzie came on the topic of Quade Cooper’s inclusion, where the Wallabies coach emphasised Cooper’s winning record at Test level. ‘Quade’s our most winning Test player (around 67 per cent),’ McKenzie said. ‘That’s over 38 or 40 Test matches and [defies the perception] that he can’t play at this level.’ Could this signal the shift at five-eighth we all expected with Link’s promotion to head coach? [/one_half]
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Bismark returns
South African hooker Bismarck du Plessis looks set to rejoin the starting line-up for the upcoming Rugby Championship match against Australia. Du Plessis has contributed from the bench after overcoming a knee injury, while Adriaan Strauss took the reins throughout a stellar 2013 season. But Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has indicated that Bismarck will be part of a number of rotational changes to ensure that his side is ‘fresh’ heading into their latest challenge.
‘Bismarck is definitely 100 per cent fit and I was very happy with his performance off the bench, so there is a good chance he will start this Saturday,’ Meyer said. Bismark will contribute to Meyer’s renewed focus on the physicality of the breakdown contest, where the team were noticeably lackadaisical in their narrow victory over Argentina. [/one_half]
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McCabe making progress
Pat McCabe has returned to running for the first time since breaking his neck during the Lions series in June. McCabe re-fractured his C1 vertebra, his second neck injury since November last year. Despite this setback, the 20-cap Wallaby has remains confident of his return. Of his rehab progress, McCabe said, ‘So far so good. I’ll build into contact training at the start of next year with a vision of playing in trial games and being available for selection in round one next year.’
Although there is a long pre-season ahead, the 25 year-old has an uncertain future in Wallaby gold. While Deans was a big fan of McCabe’s style, he may not suit McKenzie’s plans. In his absence, Brumbies teammate Christian Leali’ifano has also cemented his place as Australia’s go-to inside centre. [/one_half]
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International signing news
The long standing rumour of Juan Smith’s move to Toulon has finally been confirmed. The South African backrower has been retired since last year, following a lengthy layoff for an Achilles tendon injury. In attempting to prolong his career, Smith has signed a one-year deal with Toulon, subject to a series of medical exams.
In other international signing news, Lote Tuqiri has been linked to Irish rugby club Leinster. Tuqiri will most likely be looking for a new home after a few unsuccessful and injury-plagued seasons with Wests Tigers in the NRL. However, Leinster’s Richie Murphy remained noncommital about the move, saying, ‘We’re looking at numerous options from down around that area. He’s not ruled out but he’s definitely not ruled in either.’ [/one_half]
