Daily rugby news is back, featuring the Tahs dismal attendance, Cooper shaping up in defence, a Six nations injury update and devastating news for the Bulls.
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Tahs try to win back fans
Despite their impressive round 1 victory over the Western Force, the Waratahs will be disappointed with the dismally small crowd at Allianz stadium. Only 16,091 fans turned up to watch the sunny Sunday afternoon game which had no clashing sporting events. Not even the star-attractions of a magnificent Israel Folau and a returning Kurtley Beale could rouse the fan’s interest.
Crowd favourite Tatafu Polota-Nau believes the team’s missing fans will start to regain their faith when the Tahs start stringing wins together and showcasing an exiting brand of rugby. ‘We’ve got to show them that the game we’re trying to portray is actually the game we believe can bring the crowds back,’ Polota-Nau said after the team’s six try performance. [/one_half]
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Cooper trusted in firing line
Reds coach Richard Graham has affirmed his faith in Quade Cooper’s defensive abilities, arguing that the debate over this area of the five-eighth’s game continues to be unfounded. Cooper’s perceived vulnerabilities were put on show by his unceremonious axing at the hands of Robbie Deans. And although McKenzie shifting Quade to fullback was done to improve the team’s counterattack, the move perpetuated his image of defensive frailty.
After the Queensland victory, Graham emphasized the effective front-line defending of Cooper, referencing his 80 per cent tackling effectiveness score for the Reds last season. ‘I’m going to continue to defend him in the front line and play him there with confidence,’ Graham said. [/one_half]
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Vunipola suffers 6 nations setback
In six nations news, English number 8 Billy Vunipola will miss the rest of the tournament with an ankle injury sustained during the 13-10 win over Ireland on Saturday. ‘It is a blow as Billy has had a good Six Nations but he is young and will be back,’ England head coach Stuart Lancaster said. England host Wales on March 9 aiming for their first Triple Crown since 2003.
And in more bad news for France, the team has now lost centre Wesley Fofana for the remainder of the six nations after he suffered a broken rib during the team’s embarrassing 27-6 loss to Wales. [/one_half]
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Pierre Spies out for season
Bulls captain Pierre Spies will miss the remainder of the 2014 Super Rugby season after suffering bleeding and rupture of the bicep. Spies will undergo surgery this week and will miss at least six months of rugby.
The same injury cut short the no. 8’s 2013 season and Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has lamented the absence of the team’s tough leader, especially after the previous loss of Arno Botha with an ACL injury.‘Both players are Springboks, were an important part of our game plan and contributed tremendously in the leadership category,’ Ludeke said. [/one_half]
