Tuesday’s rugby news has Moore named captain, Wallaby preparations struggling, Genia out of favour and Burger off to Japan.
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Moore takes Wallabies top job
After much speculation, Stephen Moore has finally been named Wallabies captain for the upcoming three-Test series against France, with Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper and team-mate Adam Ashley-Cooper named vice-captains.
Moore immediately took the chance to call for Australia’s return to no.1 in the world rankings, comparing the Wallabies’ position in the Bledisloe Cup to the recent success of rugby league’s NSW Blues. “They took their preparation to a new level… If you develop some good habits then eventually you’ll get to where you want to go,” he said. [/one_half]
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Wallabies behind the eight ball
Wallabies coach Ewen Mckenzie has announced that the team are significantly behind in preparations for the French series, with the opposition side arriving mid-last week. McKenzie will have to pick his first team of the season today, just two days after the squad assembled on the Gold Coast.
“The squad we’ve picked reflects really good form across all the teams in Super Rugby, which I’m pleased about,” McKenzie said. The improving play of the Waratahs and the Force, along with the continued strength of the Brumbies have created a difficult selection picture, with Link announcing that a number of quality players previously in the mix would now miss out. [/one_half]
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Genia facing the axe
Will Genia is predicted to be the first big-name Wallaby to be jettisoned, with McKenzie said to prefer both Brumbies No.9 Nic White and NSW’s Nick Phipps for the 23-man team to play the oppening French Test. Genia has suffered a run of bad form in a struggling Reds side this year, leading to his fall in the halfback stocks.
Genia was previously dropped to the reserves bench behind White against Argentina in September last year, losing the Test captaincy at the same time. The Reds veteran will hope that the results are the same, as he was later recalled into the starting side after two games to play the Pumas in Rosario. [/one_half]
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Burger joining Japanese rugby
South African legend Schalk Burger is heading to Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath in August, signing a two-year deal with the former Top League champions. “Japan ticks all the boxes: it will be hosting the World Cup in 2019, it has an ambitious rugby programme and it’s an exotic location that will take me out of my comfort zone,” Burger said.
The deal would enable Burger to return to South Africa in the Japanese off-season to play Super Rugby for the Stormers. The 31 year old and 2004 IRB International Player of the Year has returned from a major meningitis scare to regain a place in the Springbok squad for the upcoming matches against a World XV, Wales and Scotland.
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