Wednesday’s Rugby News has Genia set to be benched, some Puma line-up changes, Leinster snapping up Tuqiri and Welsh rugby debating their international selection policy.
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Genia axed
Replacement Wallabies skipper Will Genia will be benched for Saturday’s Test against the Pumas, according to Greg Martin. This move would thrust Nic White into the starting side, with Ben Mowen to assume the captaincy role. While Genia has provided brief visions of brilliance, his form has been notably down from past Test series. On the other hand, Nic White was very impressive in the Brumbies finals run, his effective kicking game especially so.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly has questioned the decision, saying, ‘It would be a strange move [to drop Genia] because I think he’s arguably one of Australia’s only world-class players.’ White has apparently been training as the No. 9 this week in a move that will signal to all Wallaby players that no-one is safe from the consequences of poor form in McKenzie’s team. [/one_half]
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Pumas make five changes
Argentina have announced a drastically changed lineup to the side which lost a close-fought game to New-Zealand over the weekend. Yet to win a match in this year’s Rugby Championship, Argentina have made five changes. New additions to the squad include Felipe Contepomi at inside centre with Gonzalo Tiesi at outside, Scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli, Juan Imhoff on the wing and new hooker Agustín Creevy.
Only one change was driven by injury, with winger Gonzalo Camacho dislocating his shoulder against New Zealand, while the other four were purely selection decisions. Australia will be hoping that this instability will allow history to repeat itself, as the Pumas have not beaten the Wallabies since 1997. This Argentinean losing streak against the Wallabies extends to 1983 for games away from home. [/one_half]
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Tuqiri to Leinster
Last week’s rumours have been confirmed, with Lote Tuqiri agreeing to a deal with Leinster. It is reported that the dual international is only going to sign a three-month contract with the Irish club, playing as cover for Springbok Zane Kirchner whose current involvement in the Rugby Championship puts him out of action until October. Tuqiri lodged 67 Wallaby caps before moving to league’s Wests Tigers in 2010.
Leinster may need much more than aging wingers though, as Clermont have reported interest in superstars Seán O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip. The Top 14 giants have a five-man wish list with the Irish duo featuring alongside Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny and Alun-Wyn Jones and All Black Ma’a Nonu, according to La Montagne. [/one_half]
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‘Gatland’s law’ put on hold
Welsh Rugby Union CEO Roger Lewis reiterated yesterday that Wales will continue to pick overseas players for Test fixtures. While Warran Gatland has been a proponent of giving Welsh-based players preferential treatment, the financial limitations of the region has meant that this strategy has been put on hold. ‘If we were to go down that particular track we must make sure we have got everything in proper order,’ Lewis said. ‘You have to make sure the regions are able to retain players.’
Any preferential Welsh selection policy seems unlikely in the near future given the mass exodus of international players to French rugby. Jamie Roberts, Dan Lydiate and Mike Phillips among others have left this year, with other superstars Warburton, Halfpenny, Adam Jones and Alun-Wyn Jones in their last year of contract and reportedly in the radar of cashed-up Top 14 sides. [/one_half]
