Tuesday’s rugby news the Reds getting tough, Hoiles defending the role-model tag, O’Connor finally starting and an unusual injury in the Six Nations.
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Hunt stood down
Karmichael Hunt has been pulled from selection from this weekend’s Super Rugby match against the Highlanders and has been prevented from training with his team mates. The Reds new high-profile recruit is due in court early next month over allegations of supplying cocaine.
“As this highly complicated matter is due before the courts and is part of a wider and ongoing investigation, we will continue not to prejudice the player’s legal or contractual rights,” QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael said. Reds coach Richard Graham commented that Hunt will continue on a modified strength and conditioning program away from the team.
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Hoiles defends ban
In the wake of the current scandal, Waratahs lock Stephen Hoiles has emphasised that professional athletes should expect greater public scrutiny, despite some arguing that any moral obligations are unwarranted. “All athletes need to understand they are paid well to not just perform well on the field but to be role models off the field,” he said.
Hoiles also commented on the damaging effect that such an off-field controversy can have on the whole team, citing the disruption caused by his former teammate Wendell Sailor’s positive test for cocaine in 2006.
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JOC to start for Reds
It appears that James O’Connor will make his long-awaited Reds debut this weekend against the Highlanders in Dunedin. O’Connor was expected to play at 10 against the Force last week but suffered a slight aggravation of his knee injury on the previous Thursday’s training.
Coach Richard Graham is unlikely to have James Horwill available, however, after the lock split the webbing on his left hand against the Force. Graham stated that the six-day turnaround ahead of the Highlanders match was insufficient to allow Horwill to recover from the resulting surgery.
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Italian prop out with dog bite
Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni will miss Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland after being bitten on the nose by a friend’s dog. The veteran tighthead required 14 stitches on his face and has been left out of the Azzurri’s provisional squad for the Round Three clash.
Wasps’s Lorenzo Cittadini has been called up to take the place of the 33-year-old Toulon prop. The Italian rugby federation characterised the injury as a “slight domestic incident”.
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