Tuesdays Rugby News sees Waratahs to be rested, Scott-Young charged, The Rebels captain injured, and Reds ready for exodus
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WARATAHS TO REST FOR SUNWOLVES
They may have had a get out of jail free card when they played in round 2 but according to Fox Sports, the Waratahs will be using their upcoming match against the Sunwolves as a chance to rest their Wallabies.
In his post match press conference after the Waratahs beat the Crusaders, Coach Daryl Gibson eluded to the idea of for filling the requires of resting players.
“That (resting players) comes into the equation, we know sooner or later we’re going to do that,” Gibson said.
“That’s been part of the plan since we started the comp.
“(We’re) looking to make minimal change and just the ones we do need to to fill our requirement.”
As per the arrangement between Rugby Australia and the Super franchises, Wallabies players are expected to be rested during the season, though the exact details of the resting is still not fully explained.
Rookie fly half Mack Mason is expected to finally don the blue No. 10 jersey after two years of sitting being Wallabies fly half Bernard Foley. If Foley is indeed rested then this would be the first Super Rugby start for Mason, after making his debut in round 6 2017.
Speaking to the media last week, Mason is ready to make his stamp on NSW Rugby.
“Last year playing Shute Shield all year was probably what I needed — get a full year and sort of took control of Easts,” he told reporters in Sydney.
“Now I think I’m definitely ready.
“Still progressing at training.
“I think this year our reserve team and starting team are probably challenging each other a lot more than we have ever before.
“Positions are real tight and really fought after at the moment.”
Mason has admitted it is frustrating being on limited minutes, but with Bernard Foley expected to leave the Waratah’s at the end go the year, now is the time for Mason to step up.
“Yeah three minutes, it was a bit of relief, better than nothing I suppose,” said Mason, after his brief appearance against the Brumbies
“But, obviously, looking to get a bit more in the coming weeks. I’ll see how I go, talk to the coaches and see where I’m at.
“You’ve got to approach it (being relegated behind Foley) in different ways. You’ve got to see their side and your side. But obviously frustration does come out a bit. But you can only hold that for about probably 30 minutes after the game and then you just ask the coaches what you really need to do get more minutes.”
Israel Folau is another who is expected to be rested this match with Kurtley Beale able to stay at Fullback. Captain Michael Hooper is also due to be rested but that could be dependant of the return of the injured Will Miller. Rob Simmons and Sekope Kepu are listed as players to be rested in the early stages of the year as well.
Theoretically they could see five Wallabies sit out from the Sunwolves clash.
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SCOTT-YOUNG CITED
Rising Reds back rower Angus Scott-Young could be facing a lengthy rest period after being cited for striking James Slipper during the Reds win over the Brumbies on Sunday.
Scott-Young appears to have come flying into a ruck before hitting Slipper with a closed fist in the back of the head. (You cant even get away with that in the UFC)
The referee was alerted to the incident as Slipper had to be removed for a HIA, which he later passed and returned to the field. No action was taken against Scott-Young but the citing commissioner believes action should have been taken.
The commissioner believes a Red Card should have been given, with the incident meeting the appropriate threshold. Scott-Young has been charged for breaking Law 9.12: “A player must not physically abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to punching or striking with the hand or arm.”
He will almost definitely miss the match against the Rebels on Saturday night and could even miss the Reds trip to South Africa.
Brumbies Coach Dan McKellar said his team has moved on from the incident but wonders why it wasn’t dealt with at the time.
“I don’t see why it wasn’t looked at as a foul play incident,” McKellar said.
“It’s a couple now, [Waratahs prop Sekope] Kepu high tackle last week then that one with Scott-Young. We won’t be thinking too much about that we’ll be thinking about our own performance.
“It means nothing to us now, it has no impact [on our season], I’m not going to be campaigning for the kid to be suspended or anything like that, the judiciary will sort that out.
“It would have been nice for it to be viewed and dealt with during the game but it wasn’t to be.”
Sunwolves Ed Quirk was shown a red card and given a two week suspension for making contact with Hamish Stewarts face when he was at the bottom of a ruck. (Isn’t that every forwards dream to have a fly half at the bottom of a ruck?)
The Citing Commission have an interesting way of reviewing these incidents and can often take into consideration if a player receives a card or not when looking at the sentence.
Scott-Young faced the judiciary last night and a decision is expected later today.
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REBEL WITHOUT A CAPTAIN….AGAIN
It appears the Rebels can’t catch a break with their captains in recent years. When under the leadership of former player Nic Stirzaker, the half back spent more time in the rehab group than on the field in the later part of his time in Melbourne.
Last season, the newly appointed captain Adam Coleman experienced his share of injuries and time in the rehab group forcing club captain Tom English to step into the role on multiple occasions.
2019 captain Dane Haylett-Petty appears to be keeping up with tradition with the fullback now ruled out for up to 6 weeks after rupturing the ligaments in his toe.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels confirmed the injury after DHP received scans during the teams trip to South Africa.
“He’s going to be out for some time, he’ll be out for about six weeks,” he said.
“It happened in the game and unfortunately at a time when he was actually in space so if he got the ball there, he might’ve gone down the left hand touch line.
“He just landed awkwardly on it in the game and didn’t pull up well. Unfortunately he’s out for some time.”
In his absence hard man and Melbourne Rising captain Angus Cottrell stepped into DHPs place against the Sharks, but Wessels believes there are a number of Rebels up to the challenge.
“Gussy Cottrell will be the captain but there’s any number of guys in that group that could be the captain,” Wessels said.
“I think one of the things we’ve worked hard on the last couple of weeks is our leadership and development in those leadership areas. “
Tom English and Will Genia are the vice captains for the club but it is unclear yet if Cottrell will take the mantle long term.
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REDS READY FOR EXODUS
As always happens in a World Cup year there comes the post World Cup Exodus, but according to the Reds attack coach Jim McKay they are preparing for the challenge.
“You’ve got a group that you’re trying to build something with and you up-skill them and up-knowledge them and then there is a challenge to keep hold of players because they have opportunities,” he said.
“Also, you haven’t got complete autonomy over what happens.
“But we can only do our best and that’s where the (Reds) Academy is really important and while we’ve got them, we’ll still try to improve them as much as we can.”
It was confirmed last week that recent Reds recruit Sefa Niavalu had signed a three year deal with French team Stade Francais, with the Wallabies winger leaving after just one season.
Former ‘Next Big Thing’ Duncan Paia’aua has confirmed his departure from the Reds as well, signing a deal with Toulon, even with all the Julian Savea and player treatment issues.
There have been rumblings in recent weeks that No.8 Caleb Timu will be joining these boys in France after being sought by Top 14 clubs.
The biggest blow to the Reds would be the potential loss of captain and best form player Samu Kerevi, who only signed a one year contract at the end of last season and is believed to have been offered $1 million a season with a Japanese Top League team.
Though Reds fans might prefer that rumour to the one that allegedly had him move to the Brumbies that appeared late last year.
Whilst Kerevi and Timu are still only speculation, these would be big losses for Queensland, but Brad Thorn appears to have a knack for getting the best out of young players.
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