Wednesday’s rugby news has some more pre-Test banter, a GPS bombshell, All Blacks injury update and a tribute to Wallaby legend John Hipwell.
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Wallabies ‘still learning’
Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore believes that the team is yet to adapt to Ewen McKenzie’s style, but will be in a better position than their last match against the Springboks. ‘It’s still pretty early in Ewen’s tenure, we are still finding the best game-plan he wants us to play,’ Moore said. The Brumbies hooker also reckons the Wallabies are in prime position to improve upon their confidence-boosting win over the Pumas in Perth.
Springboks hooker Adriaan Strauss has anticipated the Australian pack will show renewed physicality in Saturday’s match. Strauss, who is expected to be rotated into the number two jersey, said the return of Benn Robinson and James Horwill could prove influential, especially in shoring up the Australian scrum. ‘We know that this will be a very different game and a different challenge,’ said the Cheetahs hooker. [/one_half]
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GPS Rugby could face boycott
Sydney’s GPS competition is in disarray after a number of teams will reportedly boycott sporting fixtures against Scots college amid claims that the Bellevue Hill school offered prohibited sporting scholarships to recruit young players. Kings, Joeys, Grammar, Shore and Riverview have all refused to play Scots’ first- and second-grade basketball teams this season. The boycott could extend to Scots’ premiership-winning rugby team, which is also under scrutiny.
The King’s School headmaster Tim Hawkes, said such inducements ‘killed off meaningful competition,’ adding, ‘Do we play sport to develop character…or do we play sport to build enrolments?’ Usually I do the objective thing but this is ridiculous. How many GPS recruiters would have been at the Sydney v. Country junior rugby games to assess academic excellence? While the system may need some reform, singling out Scots is the height of hypocrisy. [/one_half]
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Key All-Blacks on track
Richie McCaw’s knee injury is healing faster than expected and the All Blacks captain may be fit for the possible series deciding Test against South Africa. While McCaw is still recovering from the injury sustained against the Pumas on September 7, he took full part in a gym session today. ‘This week is important for him to carry on that progress,’ said All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster , while also asserting, ‘The signs are really positive.’
Foster has also said that Chief’s flyhalf Aaron Cruden is likely to be available for this weekend’s match against Argentina.’ We expect him to be good to go,’ said Foster. The assistant coach did concede that the returning five-eighth may need reduced game time. The All Blacks side will be revealed on Thursday. [/one_half]
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Former Aussie captain Hipwell passes away
Test captain and Wallabies Hall of Fame member John Hipwell has died aged 65. The talented scrumhalf notably replaced the legendary Ken Catchpole after his career-ending injury. Hipwell went on to play 36 Tests for Australia, including nine as captain and three successive Grand Slam tours in 1966/67, 1975/76 and 1981/82.
‘John Hipwell was a Wallaby captain, a great bloke and a very close friend of ours,’ Wallabies teammate and ARU official Geoff Shaw said. Hipwell was known for an excellent pass, powerful acceleration and aggressive defence. Shaw went on to say that the Wallabies of the professional era could do well to draw on Hipwell’s dedicated approach to playing the game.
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