Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies preparing for more scrum battles, Wallabies wary of a dangerous French side, Nonu signs with Toulon and Giteau backs O’Connor for successful return.
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Wallabies Prepare for More Scrums
After their scrum was penalised on several occasions against the Welsh, the Wallabies are preparing for a fired up French scrum.
Wallabies hooker Saia Fainga’a is wary of the challenge which lies ahead.
“We know that the French team primarily base their game around the scrum.” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do but it’s all about making sure we don’t have nine good scrums and one bad one.”
The Wallabies conceded a penalty try last time they played Les Bleus in France back in 2012.
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Wallabies Wary of French at Home
Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps says that the French will be “completely different side” to the one which they defeated in all three test matches back in June.
The last time the Wallabies played France at home was in their first match in 2012 which the French won 33-6.
Phipps also said “It was a bad day at the office. It’s not a night I remember too fondly but that’s been communicated across the group as well,”
“They’re a phenomenal team and on their day, they’re the best team in world and can dust absolutely anyone”
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Nonu Signs with Toulon
According to French newspaper Midi Olympique, Ma’a Nonu has signed with a deal with Toulon which will begin after next year’s Rugby World Cup. Nonu has recently signed with the Hurricanes for next year’s Super Rugby season after stints with the Blues and Highlanders.
The French newspaper also reported that Toulon had signed USA Eagles player Samu Manoa and All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina has agreed to a deal with Racing Metro.
According to another French media outlet another French club, Bordeux, are chasing the services of Adam Ashley-Cooper after next year’s World Cup.
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Giteau Backs O’Connor
Former Wallaby Matt Giteau has backed James O’Connor to make a successful return to Australian Rugby next year after his stints with London Irish and Toulon.
“Myself and Drew were probably the first guys to say, ‘I don’t know if we should sign him’ because of the guy he was when we left Australia,” Giteau said.
“But he’s a totally different guy, he’s been phenomenal. He trains hard and honestly he’s been really good. The attention will be back on him in Australia, he’s got to go in and suck it up.
“He’s got to do all the right things to get himself in the best position for the World Cup squad, he’s a huge talent and a great player. I think he’s developed as a person.”
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