Tuesday’s rugby news has more comment from the Folau saga, the Brumbies trying to start an Anzac tradition, the Force overcoming injury and Weepu back on the field.
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Burke slams ARU decision
Former Wallaby fullback Matt Burke has chimed in on the ARU’s controversial decision to condemn Israel Folau to the sidelines despite the fact that the Tahs club doctor had given him the all-clear to play this weekend. While the ARU have said that they were just looking out for Folau’s safety, Burke has said that there is no way NSW would have risked playing their back three superstar if there was a risk of re-injury.
“She (Waratahs doctor Sharon Flahive) wouldn’t have put Israel Folau into any type of jeopardy if she didn’t think he could go out there and play,” Burke said. Waratahs fans will have a nervous wait until late this week to see if the Wallabies fullback will suit up in Saturday’s clash against the Bulls.[/one_half]
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ACT to start ANZAC tradition
The Brumbies have begun the process of lobbying SANZAR to build a Super Rugby Anzac Day tradition to sit alongside the AFL’s blockbuster in Melbourne and the NRL’s game in Sydney. The Brumbies are hoping that they will get a Canberra game against a New Zealand side each year, which will continue on from next week’s match against the Chiefs, played against the backdrop of the Australian War Memorial.
“The logical home of an Australia versus New Zealand traditional game on Anzac Day should be in the nation’s capital,” Brumbies interim chief executive Doug Edwards said. The match will also feature a number of memorial events, including a Royal Military College vs Australian Defence Force Academy curtain raiser. [/one_half]
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Force hit by injury bug
The Western Force will look to continue their fairy-tale run against the Rebels this week, but the team will be tested by their growing list of injured starters. The team’s latest win against the Waratahs cost them scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (ankle) and winger Luke Morahan (hamstring). This has compounded the already likely absences of Jayden Hayward (personal reasons), prop Pek Cowan (leg) and lock Sam Wykes (ribs).
But despite the loss of some influential starters. winger Nick Cummins has remained confident of the win streak continuing. “It’s not always about what the names are, but (rather) the feeling and the attitude the culture has brought on,” Cummins said. [/one_half]
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Piri Weepu to resume training
Former All-Black Piri Weepu is set to resume training with the Blues after making a full recovery from his stroke and minor heart surgery, brought on by a small hole in his heart. “When i first found out it actually happened I had a few tears, it’s something you don’t really expect,” Weepu said.
The Blues have now said that Weepu has recovered fully from the operation and, after consulting a neurologist and cardiologist, the 30 year-old halfback could play as early as the Waratahs game in Auckland next week. [/one_half]
