Wednesday’s Rugby News sees the Brumbies confident in keeping Mowen, McCaw set to return, the RFU possibly holding the English Test team hostage and a proposed World Club final.
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Mowen reportedly staying put
In reaction to yesterday’s reports, The ACT Brumbies and Ben Mowen’s management are confident that the recent Wallabies captain will not be taking an overseas offer. The loose forward was previously said to be considering walking out on his ARU deal due to a pay dispute. The ARU remain steadfast in their denial of Mowen’s request for a top-up, seeing that, while some exceptions are made for players bringing bring significant marketing potential such as the code-hopping Israel Folau, Mowen was not in this category.
Despite this apparent impasse, manager David Shand has asserted, ‘Ben has always indicated to me his commitment to the Brumbies. It’s just a matter of trying to finalise things with the ARU and I’m hopeful we’re close to a resolution.’
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All Blacks injury update
Richie McCaw is on track to return to the All Blacks starting side against the Springboks this week. McCaw has been sidelined since injuring his knee against Argentina on September 7 in what was initially diagnosed as a five week injury. The 32 year old just needs to survive contact training this week to be eligible as expected. While praising Sam Cane’s progress, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen emphasised, ‘The other guy is probably the greatest player we’ve ever had so it’ll be nice to have him back on the track.’
Meanwhile, prop Owen Franks is still under an injury cloud after sustaining a groin injury against the Pumas. North Harbour tighthead Ben Afeaki will be called in as cover and Charlie Faumuina would be promoted to start if Franks was not fit. [/one_half]
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England’s European cup dilemma
It now appears that French and English clubs will not attend last-ditch mediation attempts on October 23/24 aimed at salvaging a new agreement. Leicester coach Richard Cockerill has warned that the English side will lose the most from this new arrangement, as the RFU may deny players involved in the breakaway Rugby Champions Cup involvement in Test rugby. As a result, Cockerill stated that England, ‘could go to the 2015 World Cup without any players.’
The Leicester boss reiterated that his major contention to the exisintg Heineken Cup is the qualification system which guarantees entry to the other nations while English Premiership teams battle for promotion. ‘Why is it all right for Leicester, Bath or Wasps to miss out on Europe, but it’s not all right for Munster or Leinster to miss out?’ Cockerill asked. [/one_half]
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World club final on the table
The Chiefs have floated the idea of playing a world club final against European champions Toulon in France next February, which will act as the team’s first 2014 pre-season game. The financial benefits of international brand marketing are obvious, with Toulon covering all the costs and providing a match fee. The game could also offer a great confidence boost for players and coaches heading into the regular Super Rugby season.
However, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie emphasised that the concept is still in planning stages, with many considerations. ‘It is an enormous amount of travel so we’ve got to make sure we’re acting in the best interests of our players,’ Rennie said. The match will also affect the pre-season training schedule of the team. [/one_half]
