Wednesday’s Rugby News has the Wallaby forwards feeling the heat, a health scare for a Welsh hooker, a Puma coach resigning and Bismark du Plessis a free man.
[one_half last=”no”]
Aussie scrum under pressure
Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore believes that European opponents will look to target the Australian scrum, long regarded as a weak point. This perception of vulnerability would have been perpetuated by the performances of the Rugby Championship, and the 86-Test international believes that the Wallabies need to adapt to the new laws and scrummage more consistently.
Moore also said the performance of the forwards at the breakdown is in need of improvement. While praising the performance of the backs in the recent loss to New Zealand, Moore emphasised, ‘For the forwards, our design this tour will be to win some quality ball and be really physical around the contact area so our backs can play their game.’ [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Welsh star to undergo cancer surgery
Cardiff Blues captain Matthew Rees is facing a lenthy period away from rugby as he undergoes surgery for testicular cancer. After announcing that the Welsh international will miss Cardiff’s trip to Ulster on Friday, the team gave a brief statement, wishing Rees a speedy recovery and asking the media to respect his privacy.
The fate of another Welsh superstar is not looking good, as Bayonne have come out with some stern words after Mike Phillips allegedly turned up to a video session drunk. ‘This is unacceptable and not worthy of a professional player…This is not the first time and we are sick of it,’ said Bayonne chairman Alain Afflelou, also adding the words ‘furious’, ‘outraged’ and ‘shameful’ for good measure. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Pumas coach Phelan quits
Santiago Phelan has resigned as Argentinean head coach after a winless Rugby Championship campaign. Phelan has coached the Pumas for five years, including a 2011 World Cup quarter-final appearance. The Argentinean Rugby federation are expected to announce a replacement in the next few games, with upcoming matches against England, Wales and Italy during November.
Phelan’s contract was up at the end of the year, with a record of 13 wins, 31 losses and one draw in his 45 matches as head coach. Argentinian rugby journalist Frankie Deges says Phelan’s position was untenable as he had lost the trust of senior players. [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Plain sailing for Bismarck
Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis has been cleared of stamping and is now free to play in the Currie Cup grand final. Advocate André Oosthuizen ruled that, based on the testimony of du Plessis, assistant referee Cobus Wessels, and the video footage, the contact made with Cheetahs flanker Pieter Labuschagne was accidental.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have picked up two South African players for the coming season. Golden Lions utility back Lionel Cronje and former Western Province and Sharks halfback Conrad Hoffmann have both signed contracts until the end of 2015. The duo follows the growing trend of South African imports, with the Bulls locks Wilhelm Steenkamp to the Western Force and Jacques Potgieter to the Waratahs the most notable signings. [/one_half]
