Wednesday’s rugby news has the Reds trials sorted, the Tahs back on the paddock, changes to the Aussie Sevens side and a Six Nations blow for England.
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Reds trials organised
The Reds have announced that they will play back to back Super Rugby warm up matches at Ballymore in 2016, facing seven-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders and Australian conference rivals the Brumbies. The Brumbies were dominant in the 2015 Super Rugby season, recording a 47-3 victory in round one, followed by a 29-0 win in round five.
Queensland Rugby Executive General Manager Reds, Daniel Herbert, said, “It will be good for our squad to get a gauge against high quality Australian and New Zealand opposition. It’s good for the fans too, who get to watch the Reds play two teams we don’t play at home in the 2016 Super Rugby season.”
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Tahs get back to work
Waratahs players have said that they are training harder than ever under new coach Daryl Gibson. Prop Paddy Ryan emphasised that the 2014 champions have had no break in intensity for their first Super Rugby campaign with Gibson at the helm, saying, “they’re certainly working us as hard, a few even harder than they have as the last few years.”
Ryan will be looking to fill the void at tighthead prop left by departing Wallaby Sekope Kepu. Assistant forwards coach Cam Blades said Ryan and Angus Ta’avo were both prospects for the the number 3 jersey.
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Three changes for Sevens team
Australian Men’s Sevens interim head coach Scott Bowen has made three changes for the inaugural Cape Town Sevens. Boyd Killingworth and teen flyer Henry Hutchison will make their Sevens World Series debuts while Greg Jeloudev will also join the squad in South Africa.
Pat McCutcheon (hamstring), Tom Lucas (hamstring) and Nick Malouf (knee) were previously ruled out of the two-day event. Bowen said: “I felt last week in Dubai we created enough chances but couldn’t execute when it counted most. This is a brand new tournament and fresh opportunities for some new players to make their mark.”
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Slade undergoes surgery
Exeter Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade will be out for about four months after having surgery on his broken leg and damaged ankle. It means Slade is likely to miss the Six Nations, which starts in February.
The 22-year-old was hurt during Exeter’s Premiership win over Wasps on Saturday and head coach Rob Baxter said, “It was a pretty major operation but certainly not one we don’t expect him to make a full recovery from. We will start talking about a return date in eight to 10 weeks’ time when we know a bit more – it will take a bit of time though and a lengthy rehab process.”
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