Tuesday’s rugby news has the return of Beale, Pulver’s new game, Wallaby signings and Aussie 20s preperations
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Beale to re-join Galloping Greens
After successfully completing the first stage of a voluntary counselling program for alcohol-related issues, Kurtley Beale will play for Randwick this weekend in the Shute Shield competition. Earlier this season, the 24-year-old was served a four-match ban for an alcohol-fuelled fight with teammates Cooper Vuna and Gareth Delve. After admitting to drinking on the Saturday night after his brief but spectacular return against the Chiefs in round 12, the troubled Wallabies star was indefinitely suspended from the team.
According to an ARU statement a fortnight ago, “Any future selection will be dependent upon successful completion of his treatment program,” now leaving a small window of hope after Beale’s omission from Robbie Deans’ initial 25-man squad to face the British and Irish Lions. Wallabies fans will recognise that Beale would be an valuable asset to the Australian backline. I hope though that he is mentally ready to return and is not being rushed back into a pressure-filled and possibly damaging environment prematurely.
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Pulver reignites ‘Super-B’ proposal
The ARU’s chief executive Bill Pulver wants to redirect further funds from rugby’s governing body into Super Rugby franchises. As part of his plan to improve funding and player development, Pulver has reaffirmed his support for a feeder ‘Super B’ competition, involving young high-potential players on the fringes of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises. The competition would involve a modified 50-minute game played as a curtain-raiser to Super Rugby matches, increasing the incentive to watch matches live.
In yesterday’s statement, Pulver indicated that he would like to have the competition in place next year and has reportedly had positive responses from both television executives and members of the International Rugby Board. While supportive of a third-tier competition, Pulver has emphasised that this will not be it. “The third-tier is club rugby. This is simply additional depth of elite player development at a Super Rugby level”, Pulver said.
Will this move be enough to develop the next crop of Wallaby talent, or will we continue to lag behind South Africa and New Zealand in terms of player development? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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More Wallaby signings.
The ARU has managed to retain the services of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Wycliff Palu until the 2015 World Cup. In turning his back on lucrative offshore opportunities, TPN has cited the the desire for World Cup, Bledisloe and Super 15 glory. “I’d like to earn the right to win a few trophies,” said the 44-cap hooker. In doing so, TPN and Palu join fellow Wallabies Pat McCabe, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sekope Kepu, Ben McCalman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Luke Burgess who have all recently recommitted to Australian Rugby.
This influx of signings ensures that much of the current Wallaby group will stay in Australia until the next World Cup. Previous winners the All Blacks in 2011, the Springboks in 2007 and England in 2003, all thrived with a strong and experienced nucleus of players, as emphasised by McCabe. “That continuity, which helped all of those sides, is something we will hopefully have with the Wallabies.”
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Aussie 20s depart for France
The Australian Under 20s squad leave for France today for the IRB Junior World Championships, beginning on the 5th of June. Preparation for the Junior World Championship has included three selection camps, two training camps and a substantial 72-12 victory over the Papua New Guinea national side. The Under 20s will face Fiji, Ireland and New Zealand in pool play, with coach Adrian Thompson conceding that this offered a difficult start to the tournament.
Thompson’s team will be keen to better the Australian performance in the 2012 JWC. Australia recorded its worst result in the history of the IRB under-20 World Cup, finishing the tournament in 8th place after losses to France, England and Argentina.
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