In Wednesday’s Rugby News, Lealiifano looks to Japan, Pocock commits to Australia, Uelese’s worst fears are confirmed and an American reporter looks foolish
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Lealiifano looking like signing in Japan but has not shut the door on Brumbies
The Brumbies are hopeful of striking a deal to keep Christian Lealiifano in Super Rugby next season, despite the co-captain believed to have signed a contract to play in Japan at the end of the year, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Lealiifano will join the Toyota Jido Shokki at the end of the Brumbies’ Super Rugby campaign, but it’s understood the ACT side and the ARU are keen to finalise a dual contract to allow him to play in Japan and Australia.
Lealiifano signed a temporary deal to play for Ulster in Ireland at the end of last year, but playing in Japan will give him a chance to be closer to his home and return to Brumbies training earlier.
Lealiifano had signed a similar contract in 2016 to play for Suntory, only for that dream to be dashed with his diagnosis of leukaemia.
Speaking with Rugby.com.au before the season, Lealiifano was open to the idea of playing overseas.
“I guess if you asked me 12 months ago, I’d probably say, ‘I’ll just stop here, I absolutely love this place and adore what it’s about’.”
“I guess it’s (the overseas stint) something that given me a bit more options now, and a bit more time to sit back and look at different things and experiencing what I’ve experienced with my family, it’s something I really have to consider now.”
Hopefully, a deal can be struck to keep Lealiifano playing with the Brumbies and the Wallabies as it would be a shame to lose him.
After the setbacks and issues that he has dealt with, if anyone is worthy of this offer and the big money in Japan, it would be Christian.
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Pocock staying around for the long journey
Everyone’s favourite humanitarian, David Pocock, has ensured that he will remain in Australia, knocking back the allure of big money offers over the summer break in Japan.
Pocock has committed himself to playing good rugby for both the Brumbies and Wallabies after taking a 12-month sabbatical in which he studied at Harvard University, completed conservation work in Africa and played in Japan for the Panasonic Wild Knights.
The lure of the Japanese yen is tempting for players but with the 2019 Rugby World Cup in sight, Pocock says he would rather have valuable time off in December and January after the spring tour than take up the opportunity overseas.
There will be nothing else … no way,” Pocock told Sydney Morning Herald. “The whole point of it was to have a year away from Australian rugby and that time in Japan to try some new stuff.”
“Now I’m back here it’s 100 per cent Brumbies and Wallabies focused for the next two years. There’s definitely going to be no stint anywhere.”
Pocock was excited to pull on the Wallabies jersey again, having last represented his country against England in December 2016.
“Now there’s the usual excitement of getting into a Wallabies camp. There’s plenty to do. It’s a short week of prep and we’ll make the most of it and be ready to go on Saturday.”
“[There is] a bunch of new faces … that’s really exciting for Australian rugby. There’s a number of new guys in key positions and a lot of depth.”
Pocock gave no preference about where he would like to play, stating that he would play anywhere that Cheika wanted him to play.
His return is excellent news for the Wallabies who are looking to fill the large hole left by Sean McMahon after his departure and the return of his partnership with Michael Hooper is something Wallabies fans are eagerly looking forward to.
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Scans confirm worse fear for Uelese, Rebels
Scans have confirmed that Rebels and Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese has ruptured his ACL and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old was on the field for just 10 minutes in the Rebels’ win over the Blues in Auckland before falling awkwardly in a tackle on Blues no. 8 Akira Ioane.
Rebels general manager Nick Ryan confirmed the injury and said that the Rebels would fully support Uelese throughout his recovery.
“The news of Jordan’s injury is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved in Australian and Victorian rugby, the Rebels, but foremost for Jordan,” Ryan said.
“Jordan is a respected member of the Melbourne Rebels playing group, and someone who has shown great resilience and dedication to his rehabilitation to return from a shoulder injury this season.”
“His resilience will be tested yet again, but we are confident that Jordan will apply himself to the process to get himself back to playing, meanwhile supporting his teammates as we look to chase our bit of history this Super Rugby season.”
This injury is a real setback for Uelese who had suffered an injury-plagued Super Rugby season, only just returning a few weeks ago from an arm injury. Uelese will begin the long rehabilitation process on Thursday when he goes under the knife.
The injury has come at a terrible time for both club and country, as Uelese was a crucial part of the Rebels push for the finals along with being a strong chance to start the first test on Saturday so hopefully, the recovery is successful.
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Amercian reporter takes on Rugby Twitter, fails miserably
In lighter news, an American sports reporter, Kevin Van Valkenburg has tried his hand at comedy by suggesting that a team made up of NFL practice squad members and a couple of the NFL’s star players could dominate rugby union and lead to every other country quitting the sport.
Briefly watched college rugby today while getting a hair cut b/c they wouldn’t turn on golf. Conclusion: If you gave me a year, Urban Meyer, Zeke Elliott, JJ Watt, Leonard Foutnette & an NFL practice squad, the US would so thoroughly dominate rugby, other countries would quit.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 3, 2018
He then went on to question the ability of New Zealand’s rugby players when called put by a rugby fan, and said: “It’s a serious insult to think any of those NZ dudes is as good of an athlete as Fournette.”
Van Valkenberg makes these claims about Fournette, despite Fournette running a similar time over 100m to Hurricanes winger/tank Ben Lam, despite Lam being heavier and 10cm taller than Fournette.
His attempt at humour wasn’t well received, with the rugby community coming together to defend the game, including Welsh pundit Simon Thomas, who called the American’s take “both ignorant and arrogant”.
The ESPN reporter attempted to backtrack by stating that the tweet was in tongue and cheek, however, he still believed that the NFL’s stars could still be successful if they were given a year to learn the nuances of the game.
Considering NFL players are barely active for 5 seconds per play, this statement is ridiculous and reeks of American arrogance once again.
Maybe next time an international test match is played over in the states, Mr Van Valkenburg should get a taste of the sport and see what true athletes look like.
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