Wednesday’s rugby news has a milestone for two Wallabies, more troubles for JOC, Scottish forwards at risk of suspension and calls for more injury study.
[one_half last=”no”]
Wallaby duo reach 100 tests
Wallabies captain Stephen Moore and recalled centre Matt Giteau are poised to win their 100th caps in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Scotland but the pair have emphasised that they will not be dwelling on the personal milestones. “For me, it’s not really a week to be reflecting on things,” 32-year-old Moore said.
“These personal achievements are things you probably look at when you hang up your boots.” Giteaua has also underplayed any celebrations, pointing to the impressive play of Scotland in the World Cup, saying, “They look like a very confident team who know the style of rugby they want to play, and they’ve been executing it very well.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
JOC leaves Reds
James O’Connor has left the Queensland Reds with immediate effect after being released from his contract for personal reasons. The 25-year-old utility back had a season still to run on his deal, which he signed ahead of the 2015 season, but will instead return to Europe where he will likely return to Toulon, for whom he played six months last season.
O’Connor had hoped to break back into the Wallaby squad ahead of the World Cup after returning to Australia but was left out by Michael Cheika after a difficult Super Rugby season. “James has experienced a difficult time personally since returning to Australia and we’ve been aware of that for some time,” QRU boss Jim Carmichael said. “Therefore, James will return to Europe where he feels the spotlight on him is less intense.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Scottish duo cited
Scotland hooker Ross Ford and second-row Jonny Gray will face a nervous wait to see if they can take on Australia after both players were cited. The duo have been charged by independent Citing Commissioner Scott Nowland (Australia) for dangerous, lifting tackles against Samoa, contravening Laws 10.4(e) and 10.4(j).
Their fate will be decided by independent Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan QC of England. Both players are vital members of the Scottish pack and head coach Vern Cotter will be loath to lose either of them for the Dark Blues’ first World Cup quarter-final in eight years at Twickenham.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
New studies into injury needed
A leading sports surgeon has warned that injuries will likely continue to rise if more preventative action is not taken. With the 40 pool matches completed, 34 players have already withdrawn through injury, double the amount sidelined at the same stage of the 2011 tournament.
Professor John Fairclough, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon with the Welsh Rugby Union, has emphasised the simple physics of injury, where players are getting bigger but their joints are not getting stronger to withstand the greater collision force. “[The investigation] needs to be led by people without vested interests in rugby union, but looking at it purely from a point of view of personal injury,” he said.
[/one_half]
