Tuesday’s rugby news has a close win for the Aussie schoolboys, another Lion heading overseas, surgery for Dan Carter and Chabal in trouble.
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Great win for Aussie schools
The touring Australian Schoolboys team has defeated Ireland Under 18s 14-8 in miserable, wet conditions. Playing at the home of Ulster Rugby in Belfast, the match became a forward-dominated battle of field position. While the game finished a try apiece, the Australian schoolboys were able to capitalise on better ball control and set-piece execution, with Irish ill discipline at the breakdown gifting the Australians three penalty goals to one.
The Australian schoolboys have improved immensely after their opening tour match resulted in a hard-fought 23-3 loss to the England Under 18 side. In their second game against Scotland Under 18s, the Australian team dominated throughout to record a 29-5 win. [/one_half]
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Hibbard switching clubs
Gloucester has confirmed the signing of Wales and Lions hooker Richard Hibbard. Gloucester’s Director of Rugby Nigel Davies described the signing as ‘fantastic news,’ saying he regards Hibbard as one of the top hookers in world rugby. ‘Clubs all around the world have been interested in signing him, so it’s significant that we’ve been able to convince him that Gloucester is the right place for him to play his rugby,’ Davies added.
Hibbard, Wales’ man of the series in this year’s autumn internationals, said that leaving his home club after 10 seasons was ‘a tough decision’ and said he would remain an Ospreys fan. The move further demonstrates the Welsh regions’ inability to hang onto their international stars in the face of English and French competition. [/one_half]
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Carter to undergo surgery
All Blacks five-eighth Dan Carter will undergo surgery to clear up his ankle from some bone spurs, although he will not need to go under the knife to repair his Achilles tendon. The 31-year-old’s injury woes come as he undergoes a planned sabbatical from rugby, similar to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
Carter will return to rugby in late July, and will feature in the back end of the Crusaders 2014 Super Rugby season. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said that despite limited appearances this year, Carter was still an integral part of New Zealand’s plans and would be better for six months away from the game. [/one_half]
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Chabal facing lengthy suspension
Sebastien Chabal may finish his career on the bench after a right hook knocked out Agen’s Marc Giraud in an off-the-ball incident during the Saturday night match. Chabal said last month that he is retiring at the end of the season, which may come a lot sooner after this latest incident. Although the French veteran was very lucky to only be given a yellow card after the punch was missed by the referee, Alain Tingaud, Agen’s president, said that he would be referring the incident to the league’s disciplinary committee.
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