Tuesday’s rugby news has Palu’s ankle issues, Izzy looking abroad, Burke talking up the new and improved Wallabies and Chiliboy Ralepelle caught doping.
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Palu doubtful
Wycliff Palu is in serious doubt for the second Test of the French series after missing training on Monday afternoon with an ankle problem. Palu could be the third casualty to come out of the 50-23 win at Suncorp, after skipper Stephen Moore (knee) and lock Sam Carter (ankle) were also injured.
In-form Western Force No.8 Ben McCalman looms as the replacement at no.8, while former skipper James Horwill and hooker Tatafu-Polota-Nau are also set to receiving starting recalls today. Replacing the replacements, Rebels second-rower Luke Jones will reportedly beat Will Skelton to a bench spot, while Reds hooker James Hanson will join the squad as front row cover. [/one_half]
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Toulon chasing Izzy
After dominating the national team last Saturday, Israel Folau appears to be in talks with Fench side Toulon to join the Top 14 powerhouse after next year’s World Cup. Folau’s contract with ARU runs out at the end of 2015 and the Wallaby fullback would be at the top of owner Mourad Boujellal’s wishlist.
Last month, Boujellal revealed a bold plan to sign who he described as the “fantastic four” of world rugby. “In a year, I will try to do the biggest thing I’ve ever done [in the transfer market],” Boujellal told Eurosport. “There are ‘quatre fantastiques’ in the rugby world, I truly want to do that Grand Slam.”
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Burke talks up Bledisloe
Former Wallaby fullback Matt Burke has said that the Australian team has finally started to gel in coach Ewen McKenzie’s system and are ready to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup in the wake of a dominating win over France. “McKenzie took over with seven days to spare before that first Bledisloe; he’s now had thereabouts a year to implement his own markers and changes … I think they’re starting to live those,” Burke said.
The enthusiasm over the seven-try win should be tempered by the fact that the French team were missing a few star players and performed well under-par. But Burke maintained that the skills and sustained pressure displayed by the Wallabies were extremely positive signs. [/one_half]
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Springbok hooker busted
Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle is facing a two-year suspension from rugby after failing the second drug test of his career. Ralepelle tested positive for an anabolic steroid in an out-of-competition test conducted by the IRB on March 19.
The 27-year old hooker is currently nursing torn ligaments in his knee, suffered playing for Toulon and insists that he did not knowingly ingenst the banned substance. “For now, I insist on the fact that Chiliboy is presumed innocent,” Toulouse president René Bouscatel said. Previosuly sanctioned in 2010, Ralepelle was cleared by the SARU after it was found that a banned stimulant was given to the players as a supplement. [/one_half]
