Wednesday’s rugby news has Kepu moving to France, Guildford addressing his alcoholism at the Tahs, Hunt getting his confidence back and a major doping problem in Wales.
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Kepu joins French rugby
Bordeaux-Begles have unveiled their new signing as Wallaby Sekope Kepu, who has signed a three-year deal from the Waratahs. “For me part of the decision to come was to play in French competition and test myself against some of the best props in the world – to be in scrums every weekend against French internationals,” Kepu said.
Australia’s scrum was a revelation at the World Cup, with Kepu featuring in the huge turnaround in the performance of the Wallaby set-piece. The Australian scrum coach is former Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma, who played in the Top 14 with Clermont Auvergne and Castres.
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Guildford to quit alcohol with Tahs
Inspired by New Zealand’s World Cup triumph, Zac Guildford has vowed to give up alcohol before resuming his Super Rugby career with the Waratahs. Former All Blacks winger Guildford admits drinking has remained a problem since cutting short a stint with French club Clermont and returning to New Zealand this year.
The 26-year-old said that his contract with the Waratahs represents a last chance to rejuvenate his career. “I know how hard it’s going to be [not drinking] but I don’t want to live the life I’ve been living for the last six years because it’s been pretty average,” he said.
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Hunt ready to go
Reds boss Richard Graham expects the franchise to see the best of Karmichael Hunt in his second season of Super Rugby. “He just needed game-time,” Graham said. “I think the NRC has given him a level of confidence and a better understanding and feel for the game.”
Hunt’s first year back in rugby union was disrupted by injury and off-field issues. The former AFL player was arrested on charges of supplying cocaine in February, copping a $30,000 fine from the Queensland and Australian rugby unions, a six-week suspension from playing and also costing him the Reds vice-captaincy.
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Rampant drug use in Welsh rugby
A former rugby player has said that the use of drugs and especially anabolic steroids is “totally off the scale” in the grassroots and semi-professional game in Wales. “There’s more and more pressure to become bigger and stronger and faste,” the un-named former player said. “Now the physical qualities are becoming more important at times than skills.”
17 players from Welsh rugby union and league are currently banned, with a dramatic spike in the last few years. A recent study found that out of 100 grassroots rugby clubs, 15 had used a performance enhancing drug and just five said they have been drug tested in the past three years.
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