Tuesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies allocated to the NRC, some possible changes in the Aussie semi-final, our Sevens team angry at the Commonwealth draw and a shocking attack in Clermont.
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Wallabies join NRC teams
The ARU has unveiled the NRC teams which the current Wallabies will represent. In general, Wallabies will be aligned to the NRC team affiliated with their club, counting towards the four Test players allowed for each NRC team outside of their 33-man contracted squad.
ARU General Manager Andrew Fagan said the announcement was an important milestone for the new competition. “The alignment of current Test players to the NRC is significant for the promotion of individual teams and the competition, while the potential still exists for players to train or play with their affiliated NRC team when they are not on international duty,” Fagan said. [/one_half]
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Potgieter set for NSW return
NSW lock Jacques Potgieter is set to return to the starting line-up against the Brumbies, with coach Michael Chieka opting for the tough South-African to team up with Kane Douglas again, with Will Skelton relegated to an impact role off the bench. Israel Folau and Rob Horne will also return after being rested against the Reds with niggling issues.
The Brumbies demonstrated a much more expansive game than expected in their win over the Chiefs last week. Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan said that his team would relish similar tactics. “I’d like to see an open, expansive game for what will hopefully be a packed house here at the SFS,” he said, confident that the NSW backs would come out on-top. [/one_half]
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Sevens coach bemoans unfair draw
Australian Sevens coach Geraint John has joined a number of teams participating in the Commonwealth Games in questioning the competition’s draw, which appears to favour the home nations. Australia and New Zealand play twice in pool games on Saturday before England and Scotland have stepped foot on the field, instead enjoying the sleep-in. Australia must also work through a highly unusual eight hour break between their second and third game.
Organisers have said that the draw reflects the anticipation of TV ratings, with games featuring top southern hemisphere teams thought to be popular in the morning and likewise for the UK teams at night. [/one_half]
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Machete attack on French players
A dozen armed men attacked French rugby union internationals Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayser with machetes as they walked back to their hotel at night, their club, Clermont, said on Sunday. While the motive for the attack is not known at this stage, police said the incident took place around 3am after the players went to a nightclub, where they may have argued with other parties.
While none sustained life-threatening injuries, Pierre was forced to undergo surgery on “deep cuts” to his hip. The club added that they were “shocked and outraged” by the late night attack and have promised to help local authorities with “finding and punishing the perpetrators”. [/one_half]
