Tuesday’s Rugby News has Mowen wanting more money, Larkham reported as Brumbies frontrunner, a switch at lock for the Springboks and more Heineken Cup news.
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Mowen to walk?
After filling in as Wallabies captain just three weeks ago, Ben Mowen is considering leaving Australian rugby due to a payment dispute. Mowen is said to be angry over not receiving a top-up contract despite being a regular Wallabies starter and recent captain. The backrower’s Super contract extends to 2015, but on the proviso that he were to receive an ARU top-up.
ARU policy is that players will only get these payments after more than two years with the Wallabies, which for Mowen will come in 2015. This policy was noticeably absent in the contract dealings with code-hopper Israel Folau, who received a top-up to reject league after playing just five Tests. Mowen is now threatening to take a lucrative French rugby contract mid next year unless he receives the same concessions. [/one_half]
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Larkham tipped for Brumbies gig
Former ACT captain Owen Finegan has predicted that Stephen Larkham will become Brumbies head coach. Finegan said that he observed Larkham being groomed to eventually take over the top job. The appointment of the former Wallabies five-eighth could lead to a more expansive game-plan than the grinding defensive structure espoused by White. ‘The way the Brumbies played, is the way I like coaching at the moment – get them to have a go, run the ball, take risks, enjoy their footy – Stephen’s no different to that,’ said Finegan.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to surround the new home of former coach Jake White. He has made quite clear his intention to return to the international arena, but otherwise will try to coach in his native South Africa. Despite his interest, Western Province has recently said quite plainly, ‘We are not looking at Jake White at all.’ [/one_half]
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SA lock suspended
South African lock Flip van der Merwe has been suspended for the team’s upcoming tournament-deciding match against New Zealand for striking Wallabies winger Joe Tomane with his elbow. The Springboks have recalled uncapped lock and namesake Franco van der Merwe. ‘Losing any player, for whatever reasons, is never ideal but Franco knows our structures and plans very well, having been part of the squad since June last year,’ coach Heyneke Meyer said on Monday.
Apart from this forced change at lock, Meyer has kept the same squad that was named against the Wallabies. Although the team will be waiting on a fitness test for centre JJ Engelbracht later in the week for an injured quad. South Africa must beat New Zealand by more than seven points and score four tries in the process to claim the Rugby Championship. [/one_half]
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Slim hope for Heineken Cup
Further mediation has been planned for October 23 and 24 to come to a solution that will save the Heineken Cup, with ERC chief executive Derek McGrath insisting that the door remains open to English Premiership Rugby. The major sticking point has now become broadcast rights. While ERC has a committed to Sky until 2018, Premiership Rugby have signed a television deal with BT Vision worth £152million, with £52million of that earmarked for European competitions.
The Unions sticking behind the Heineken cup format seem to have conceded on many other points of contention. Welsh Rugby Union boss Roger Lewis has recently said, ‘We are comfortable with meritocracy in qualification and a fairer distribution of the money. I’ll do everything I can to ensure the continuation of a European Rugby Cup.’
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