Here’s our daily round-up of the hot Oz and international rugby news.
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Eales says no to Smith
John Eales – a Board Director at the ARU – has written that he doesn’t believe the rule stopping George Smith playing for the Wallabies should be changed. That rule is that Wallabies need to be contracted to an Australian team – Smith is still primarily contracted to Suntory and on loan to the Brumbies.
Wrote Eales, “Also against him is the form of Michael Hooper, among Australia’s best players last season, and Liam Gill – two twentysomethings you would also be thrilled to build a culture around. If they were off Test match-pace, Smith would be a more enticing option, but they are both pace-setters themselves which makes it less urgent.”
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Aussie Matt O’Connor takes on Leinster
Another impressive Aussie coaching CV is building in Europe with news that Matt O’Connor will be taking over the Head Coaching role from Joe Schmidt – the new Ireland Coach.
About O’Connor the Leinster CEO said, “Matt joins Leinster with an impressive pedigree under his belt at club level with the Brumbies – who were Provincial champions in 2006 – and Leicester Tigers – who have boasted the league’s best defensive record (in 2009-10) and most tries scored (between 2008-13) – during his time on their coaching team.”
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Player Movement
In news that should shock no-one, 28 year old James Horwill has signed on with the Reds for another two years.
Lopeti Timani, 22, has signed a two year deal with the Melbourne Rebels.
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Scuttlebut
It must be a slow news day, because two of the ‘news’ stories out there include:
- There’s a rumour of a rumour that Ewen McKenzie will be the new Scotland Coach reporting to Scott Johnson. Link’s flatly denied it.
- That Izzy Folau “Wants to stay in Rugby for the long-term”, when all he actually says about negotiations is “Hopefully, I’ll get something settled in the next month or so.”
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