Tuesday’s Rugby news looks at the Tahs dirty dozen, Carter Gordon’s dream rebel run, Sinckler’s late call up,
12 Straight for the Tahs!
Jake Gordon
Carter Gordon Dreaming
There’s nothing we like better in Queensland than shipping off some of our best talent to inferior rugby franchises, and that’s why we are so pleased to hear Carter Gordon is just loving it down in dreary Melbourne.
Since then, Gordon has stepped into the starting position full-time, getting his first start in Round Two of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman against the Hurricanes.
“I was really nervous. It was a dream come true and I’ve always wanted to play Super Rugby,” he told Rugby.com.au
“Getting the call up from Footy (Kevin Foote) that weekend was a surprise and I was over the moon. I didn’t really know what to say at the time other than thank you but I’m starting to take it with both hands and trying to play my best Rugby.
“Obviously playing the Kiwi teams, they like to play quick and that’s probably the biggest change (from club rugby) is the pace of play and the ball in-play time.”
Whilst he concedes the decision to move down from Queensland was tough to make as a 19-year-old, the opportunity to live out his dream was too much to turn down.
“It is tough moving away from family but when you’re doing it for the thing you love, it isn’t too bad,” he said.
“We’ve always been together and played alongside each other. We’re both chasing the same goal so having him there as we push each other, you couldn’t ask for another.”
We hope Carter all the best.
Kyle Sinckler Heading To SA
Kyle Sinkler was devastated not to get a gig in Warren Gatlands Lions squad, but now he has won a late reprieve with Andrew Porters being ruled out.
Sinckler, a Lions tourist in New Zealand in 2017, will join up with Warren Gatland’s squad following the conclusion of Bristol’s domestic season, with his club having already qualified for the Premiership play-offs.
Lions coach Gatland said in a statement: “It’s really bad luck for Andrew and we send him our very best wishes for a quick and successful rehab.
“Andrew is a young man with a big future ahead of him and I’m sure he’ll be in contention again in four years’ time.
“As always in rugby, when there’s an injury there’s an opportunity for someone else. I have been very pleased to see the way Kyle has responded to initially being left out of the touring party.
“He’s showed some excellent form of late and I hope he continues to stick two fingers up to me about leaving him out in the first place.”
The Lions are scheduled to assemble in Jersey on Sunday, June 13 to begin preparations for a match against Japan on June 26 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Gatland’s men will then fly to South Africa where, following a series of warm-up matches, they are due to play Tests against the Springboks on July 24 in Cape Town and July 31 and August 7 in Johannesburg.
Sinckler came on as a replacement in each of the Lions’ three Tests during the drawn series against the All Blacks four years ago.
Rennie Says Positions Still Open
Dave Rennie and Matt Taylor
Wallaby Coach Dave Rennie has suggested that players still have a chance to play there way into his squad for the French series announced this Sunday.
“We’ve got the spine of a team … there’s certainly positions that we’re unsure of and the next couple of weeks are going to be important for those individuals,” Rennie told Stan Sport.
“We’re going to pick three hookers but it’s wide open,” Rennie said.
“Brandon Paenga-Amosa is heading overseas but he’s been really strong over last four to five weeks.
“Long-term Lachlan Lonergan’s a really good athlete, similar to the Kiwis, where he’s got a real presence over the ball and he’s good in wide channels and aggressive; a good thrower, but from a scrummaging point of view he’s got a bit of work to do.
“(Feleti) Kaitu’u has had an excellent season.”
When asked about Perese he said “He’s been excellent,”
“Prior to that March camp, he’d had a 20 minute cameo and was red-carded and then one game so we were never going to bring him in.
“We wanted him to earn the right and play well and he’s done that.
“We’re excited by that and whether he’s a 12 or 13 depends on how we use Toomua or Hunter Paisami.”
Rennie was pleased with the growth of the Australian teams through the series, despite only banking two wins from four rounds.
“I think it’s been awesome for us. It’s certainly given our guys an indication of the intensity of the Kiwi teams play (with) and I think we’ve gotten better and better,” he said.
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