Tuesday’s Rugby News has Izack Rodda saying stuff about Saffers, Scott Fardy being really good, a new look mens 7s team and Israel Folau setting sail for Sale?
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No Bully
After the Lions did the Waratahs last Friday, a week after the Waratahs did the Reds, Izack Rodda says the Reds mustn’t be bullied. Go on, guess what someone’s gonna say about South African rugby teams.
“I learned personally as with every South African team you’ve got to match them physically and if you don’t match them physically they’ll just bully you out of the game,” Rodda said to rugby.com.au.
“If you can match their physicality or go more physical than them, it’ll be good for us.
“I reckon we were hitting hard (when we played the Bulls). We did our game plan right, we came out doing what we wanted to do.
“We knew we had to go at them at set piece and go at them when they’re carrying the ball and I think we just executed on that.”
The Reds earlier this season beat the Brazilian Bulls which will give them hope, as will the fact they will are at home twice in a row.
Rodda thinks that the Reds can get the win if he and his fellow forwards can make space for the backs.
“I reckon we’ve definitely got enough of that (attacking creativity), we’ve got good outside backs in Samu, Chrissy and Jono at 10,” he said.
“We (the forwards) need to definitely pave the way, we need to come out firing to create a good platform for the backs and create fast ball and give them the opportunity to use their speed and skills.”
Rodda also has made props for Moses Sorovi, who he says “[is] not afraid to get in the ‘D line’ and hit blokes, which is what you want out of a halfback I guess. He’s just real aggressive and he just bring s a lot of energy to the team.”
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Scott Fardy is Really Good
That’s what the Irish are saying, after Fardy helped Leinster overcome Scarlets in the European Cup semi-final.
“He was outstanding today,” fullback Rob Kearney said (via Fox Sports) of Fardy.
“He’s one of those four lads who was nominated for player of the tournament as well so he’s shown a consistency throughout.
“I think the most impressive thing about Scott is off the field, what he’s doing with the younger guys and his coaching and mentoring. The manner in which he turned up today was incredible and a massive credit to him.”
Leinster’s fly-half Johnny Sexton also paid tribute to his value around the club.
“That’s why it is so important that the club signs these quality foreigners because I don’t think James Ryan would be the player he has been this season without Scott Fardy helping him along.
“Those back row guys, he coaches them. He’s had a huge impact on the group.”
Fardy scored a try in Leinster’s 30-12 triumph, and his team will face Dan Carter’s Racing 92 on the 12 May in Bilbao, Spain.
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The Great UnWalshed
Tim Walsh has named his squad for the Singapore 7s, his first as the coach of the Australian men’s team. Walsh has now officially taken over from Andy Friend, whose contract ended after the Commonwealth Games.
Walsh has brought in two new members to the squad, who finished 5th at the Games. Jeral Skelton and Lachie Miller come in for Tom Lucas, who has a thigh injury, and Charlie Taylor, who drops out of the squad.
The new coach has only been doing it for a week, but he’s pretty keen either way.
“It’s been a quick turnaround between finishing with the women’s program to starting in my new role,” Walsh told
“Diving right in is a great way to start, the sooner I can shape and influence the team with my leadership the style the better.
“The squad has been enthusiastic and vocal about wanting to improve and to be consistently on the podium especially after finishing eighth at the Olympics, fifth on the Gold Coast and currently fifth on the World Series.”
Australia face Scotland, New Zealand and Wales in their group in Singapore.
Squad: Skelton, Tom Connor, Sam Myers, Miller, Nicky Price, John Porch, Tim Anstee, Jesse Parahi (c), Brandon Quinn, Ben O’Donnell, Maurice Longbottom, Lachlan Anderson, Dylan Pietsch.
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Sale Sale
Israel Folau might reward the ARU’s offer of an olive branch and a pat on the back by doing one to English club Sale Sharks.
Sale have reportedly offered Folau $1.4m a year to play, says the Sydney Morning Herald via The Rugby Paper. Folau, apart from being really good, would fill a hole left by the injuries of their fullbacks Mike Haley and Will Addison.
The club distanced themselves from the report, but the SMH says that’s a bit dodgy because they said they wouldn’t sign Marland Yarde but then did once upon a time.
Folau is out of contract at the end of the year and with 63 Wallabies caps would still be eligible for the Wallabies.
The SMH also says that “sources have told Fairfax Media that the [hell comment] episode highlighted Folau’s growing self-imposed isolation. Some trusted allies in the game tried but failed to reach out to him during the recent saga, adding to suspicions he could be preparing to cut ties after five-and-a-half years at the Waratahs.”
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