As selection day approaches, Wednesday’s Rugby News looks at the makeup of the squad, an overseas star attempts to return in time, the judiciary continuing to amaze and Ballymore’s future set to be decided.
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Selection Day leave questions surrounding Wallabies team
Well, the big day has come and all the speculations and discussions are about to end with Michael Cheika set to announce the Australian squad for the upcoming three match series against the number 2 ranked Ireland tonight.
Officials have been relatively tight-lipped about the makeup of the squad, with most players not going to find out if they made it until Cheika’s announcement on tonight’s episode of Kick and Chase at 7:30 pm, according to Fox Sports.
The makeup of the forward pack will see a heavy influence of Reds according to the Courier Mail. Jim Tucker has reported that trio Lukhan Tui, Caleb Timu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa shape as the big winners out of a strong Reds forward pack set to be rewarded with green and gold jerseys for the excellent season.
This sentiment is shared by Fox Sports reporters Sam Worthington and Christy Doran, within their prediction of the upcoming squad.
Both reporters share similar ideas surrounding the look of the squad, with players such as Pete Samu (pending availability), Michael Ruru and Jack Maddocks set to be rewarded for strong campaigns.
The Outside back positions still seem to be a hot topic of conversion, with Worthington selecting Henry Spieght to retain his position. Doran has looked towards the future by bringing in young gun Izaia Perese and the explosive Taqele Naiyaravoro (despite signing overseas for next year).
With all this speculation still up in the air, it all lies with Cheika to provide us with these important answers tonight.
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Samu(rai) returns home 2
Peter Samu has returned to Australian Rugby by signing for the Brumbies for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
In their press release, the Brumbies head coach Dan Mckellar commented “Peter is a powerful backrower with good speed and a skill-set that suits how we want to play at the Brumbies. He comes from a highly successful program and has enjoyed success at both Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby level.”
“Having been involved in trophy-winning sides in both those competitions, he brings a winning mindset to the group and we look forward to his arrival.”
Samu was pleased to return to playing in Australia, after somehow slipping through the cracks of Australian rugby during the earlier stages of his career.
“The Brumbies are well-renowned throughout Super Rugby for being a successful club and for having a fantastic playing culture. I am excited to get to Canberra, settle in and get out onto the field.”
The timing of this news looks to ensure Samu’s selection in the upcoming Australian squad for the three-match Irish series. However, the Wallabies are still sweating on clearance being provided by their New Zealand counterparts.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Samu holds dual eligibility as a result of New Zeland residency, with New Zealand Rugby head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum stating “We have received a request from Rugby Australia and we’re in discussions, but nothing has been decided yet”.
Hopefully, the Wallabies are successful with this discussions and can activate the clause in his contract that allows him to represent Australia (according to SMH), similarily to Brad Shields and his England selection.
With the injury to Ned Hanigan, he is a big chance to not only be selected in the squad but to be chosen in the matchday 23 for the first test.
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Judiciary loophole exposes flawed system 3
A loophole within the SANZAR judiciary in regards to the international break has further compounded the issues that have faced the organising body.
Iain Payten, of the Daily Telegraph has reported that the upcoming international break for the Super Rugby has led to the absurd and unjust situation in which suspended players have ended up unpunished for their actions.
Stormers pair Raymond Rhule and JJ Engelbrecht, and Sharks lock Ruan Botha, were each given suspensions for foul play over the weekend, with Botha receiving the largest suspension of 4 weeks through cleaning out with his forearm.
As a result of the International break, these players will serve these suspensions through third tier rugby competitions, missing no Super Rugby action, in which they’ll most likely kick their feet up and get precious time to relax and recharge ahead of the finals.
Similarly, the Kung Fu King, Tevita Nabura, will only serve 4 of his 6-week ban within the Super Rugby competition. Meanwhile, Folau Fainga’a is the only suspended man from this weekend to have to serve his one match ban for his “love tap” this week, missing the Brumbies clash against the Sunwolves.
As Payten rightfully put it, this loophole is a rort of the system and SANZAR must act fast to close it, as fast as they did to stop Sekope Kepu from exploiting the same loophole during the Brisbane Tens before the season.
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The decision on Queensland’s home set for the end of the year 4
The decision whether to keep the spiritual home of Queensland rugby union, Ballymore Stadium, will be made by the end of the year, according to rugby.com.au.
This was the decision of Queensland sports minister Michael de Brenni, who will look at whether the stadium could potentially be redeveloped as part of their review into the sporting infrastructure in the state.
“We’ve got to look at not only how we deliver at your local football club but places like Ballymore and what we need to do at Suncorp to keep it being a world-class stadium.”
“We’re committed to doing that in 2018 so I expect (the) government to consider the results of that community, sports fan and importantly athlete consultation by the end of this year.”
The Queensland Rugby Union has submitted a proposal for a redevelopment of the precinct in inner-city Brisbane, which would see it become a national training centre for rugby in the state along with the Wallabies and Olympic rugby sevens programs.
The bid would look to retain the Eastern stand of the ground, along with renovating the McLean Stand into a new wing which would include greater seating and training facilities.
The stadium looks set to be saved as the potential redevelopments have attracted growing interest from other sports and events such as the Women’s Rugby and Soccer World Cups along with aspiring A-League club Brisbane City.
This interest should hopefully show the Government that these renovations would be a worthwhile investment and it would be a shame to lose a ground as integral to the history of the sport as Ballymore is to Queensland rugby.
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