Tuesday’s rugby news has the a new Sevens host, a reported change in ARU hiring practices, the Force with a prop shortage and some Scottish changes.
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Sydney new Sevens host
Sydney will take over from the Gold Coast as host of the Australian leg of the Sevens World Series. The SFS will be the venue for the two-day event for four years starting from the 2015-16 season with World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset commenting that the Sydney Sevens “will inspire new audiences and participants and contribute to the continued strong growth of the game in Australia.”
National coach Geraint John has also recently set an ultimatum, declaring that any Super Rugby player hoping to play in next year’s Olympic Games must train with his squad full-time from January 1. “It’s not just about what you do on the field…it’s all about the culture of the team and how people gel,” he said.
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ARU changed protocols after Link
ARU chief operating officer Rob Clarke has admitted that ARU management have learned from the fall-out from the recent Kurtley Beale scandal in reference to the hiring discretion of new Wallaby coach Michael Cheika. There was some talk that Cheika’s appointment of long-term friend Patrick Molihan as team manager was ill-advised in the circumstances.
Clarke, however, commented that the ARU had stepped up their “extensive due diligence” on new appointments, adding, “the ARU management team are very confident that they have been appointed on their merit and that they will do an excellent job.” The ARU and former business manager Di Patston are currently engaged in a claim of adverse action under the Fair Work Act.
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Force faced with prop problem
Western Force coach Michael Foley could be without both first-choice props for Friday’s match against the Rebels after both Pek Cowan and Tetera Faulkner suffered injuries in last round’s 27-15 loss to the Brumbies. Foley is already without front-rower Francois van Wyk, who suffered a season ending injury in the loss to Queensland Reds.
The Force have also had to start the season without their captain Matt Hodgson, who has been disappointed with the team’s performances. “It’s in those 50-50 battles that we are step behind,” he said, adding, “There are opportunities that we’re creating but not taking.”
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Injury replacements for Scotland
Scottish head coach Vern Cotter added two players to the Scotland squad ahead of this Saturday’s match against England at Twickenham. Starting winger Sean Lamont has been ruled out of the rest of the Championship with a knee injury suffered while playing for his Glasgow Warriors club side.
British & Irish Lions wing Sean Maitland will be added to the team, along with hooker Stuart McInally acting as cover for Ross Ford, who continues his recuperation from the back spasm suffered against Italy in the Six Nations.
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