Wednesday’s rugby news has the Wallabies ready to take on the Pumas, Adam Coleman persisting, Michael Cheika undecided about Marika Koroibete and Sunwolves get a new coach.
[one_half last=”no”]
Wallabies Ready for Pumas
Former Puma and current Wallabies scrum coach Mario Ledesma says Argentina are a new beast and will be a tough challenge for the Wallabies this weekend.
“My last game was five years ago so that’s how much I know from them now, I mean I’ve never been involved with this coaching staff,” he said.
“Most of the players could be my sons.
“When I played we didn’t throw the ball around a lot and this team does it a lot. So, the DNA’s changed a little bit, they’re focusing on other skills.”
The Pumas skills were at a very high standard against the All Blacks and they threatened the World Champions for the first 50 minutes of the match.
“Whenever they started playing Rugby Championship and now Super Rugby that was the main focus, on skills.
“I think they’re doing a great job.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
Coleman Persisting
Wallabies lock Adam Coleman is still hoping to line up against Argentina despite splitting his lip and requiring 12 stitches.
“Straw’s my best friend at the moment. It is what it is,” he joked.
“I can eat almost everything just very slowly, it takes me about an hour to get through a bloody bowl of cereal.
“It’s just [a] niggle, it’s not going to affect me.
“I just do what I’m good at, just stay at I’m good at and play my role for the team.
“We’re still learning, I’m still learning, I’m still developing lineouts and that’s us as a team.
“We’ve got some very young guys in our team and we’re growing as a group and we’re on the way up.”
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Cheika Undecided
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika remains undecided about calling up Melbourne Rebels recruit Marika Koroibete into the Wallabies squad for the Spring tour.
Koroibete told reporters last week that Cheika had invited him on the Wallabies Spring tour.
“I don’t know how that’s going to roll out, have to see what happens and where we’re at but he’s (Koroibete) obviously in fine form over there,” he said.
“Spring Tour’s an opportunity for some young players as well I think.
“You can see the way we’re driving a campaign now to get some experience into younger players and a couple of guys I mentioned there and a guy I’ve already had a look at maybe Joey Powell.
“There’s guys there in our younger ranks that we want to have a good blend with and give an opportunity to to come on and have a look and see what it’s all about, get a bit of experience so when their time comes.”
Meanwhile, the Queensland Reds are exploring ways of helping out English club Bath by loaning them No 8 Leroy Houston. If he were to go back to England he would still be back in time for a full Super Rugby season with the Reds.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”yes”]
New Sunwolves Coach
Former All Black Filo Tiatia will take over as head coach of the Japanese Sunwolves.
Tiatia was assistant coach at the Sunwolves this season but is now set to ink a two year deal.
Head coach this season, Mark Hammett, has left the club to return to New Zealand to take up a role as assistant coach of the Otago Highlanders.
Tiatia, is expected to be formally unveiled as head coach of the Sunwolves later this week.
[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
