Wednesday’s rugby news has David Pocock staying in Australian rugby until at least the end of 2016, challenges for Henry Speight, USA launch a new rugby competition and the All Blacks heartwarming visit.
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Pocock Staying in 2016
David Pocock’s manager has asserted that he is committed to the Brumbies and the Australian Rugby Union until the end of his contract in 2016.
His manager also confirmed that a number of offers had been made but they were not being considered just yet.
“There are a number of offers that have landed,” said manager Brian Levin Levine told Reuters.
“None are being considered at this stage.
“He is firmly committed to the 2016 season with the Brumbies and the ARU.”
The Brumbies are reportedly confident he will remain with the club beyond next year.
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Speight to be Challenged
“I think endurance, without a doubt, will (test him),” Walsh told foxsports.com.au
“I think it will be extremely challenging for him to get out there and perform immediately.
“It’s the high intensity and repeated efforts that you just don’t see in the 15-man code as much, so that’s one area where he’ll struggle.
“And another is just the detail in the game, the understandings and framework of sevens. In sevens everything is magnified and one little mistake can cost you the game.”
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USA Launch Competition
The Professional Rugby Organisation has announced a new six team competition will begin in April 2016 in the United States.
The teams are set to be based in major metropolitan areas around the northeast United States, the Rocky Mountains and California.
Teams from Canada would be added to an expanded competition in 2017.
Wallabies Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau also played with the idea on going the competition over twitter.
“Great news coming out of @USARugby with a Pro competition starting in 2016!! Cali sound good for 2018-19 giteau_rugby ?,” Mitchell wrote.
Giteau replied: “I’m more a concrete jungle kind of guy #NYC #JayZsBestie”
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AB’s Heartwarming Visit
The All Blacks have paid a visit to a Wellington club rugby player before he tragically passed away on Tuesday morning.
38-year-old Misiluni Moananu was visited by Ma’a Nonu, Victor Vito and Dane Coles with the William Webb Ellis trophy before losing his battle with bowel cancer.
Moananu played more than 200 premier games for Poneke Rugby Club, where All Blacks hooker Dane Coles played.
The players reportedly spent two hours with Moananu as he had been too unwell to attend Wellington’s World Cup celebration parade.
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