Wednesday’s rugby news has the Tahs forced to make changes, Hodgson fit for the Force, Laurie Fisher unconcerned by any exodus and a South African half injured.
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Hoiles to replace injured Dennis
Former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles will fill in at blindside flanker for Sunday’s match against the Highlanders, replacing Waratahs captain Dave Dennis who will miss the rest of the season with ACL surgery. NSW coach Michael Cheika could have opted for Jacques Potgieter at blindside flanker, promoting either damaging ballrunner Will Skelton or lineout ace Mitch Chapman to starting lock.
In the end, Cheika took what he called “the conservative option” by starting the former Brumbies captain with 114 Super Rugby caps. The Waratahs coach did say that he will likely shuffle the forward pack again for next week’s final-round showdown with the Reds. [/one_half]
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Hodgson included in Force line-up
The finals hopes of the Western Force have been given a massive boost after Matt Hodgson was cleared of a concussion and declared fit to captain the side in Saturday’s must win game against the Queensland Reds. Second-rower Adam Coleman also appears to be available for selection despite failing a halftime concussion test in last week’s 40-14 loss to the Blues. The Force will need to replace fly-half Sias Eberson, who is doubtful with a torn left bicep.
The Reds have to make two changes to their back line with Lachie Turner replacing Dom Shipperley on the wing and Samu Kerevi set to start in the centres in place of Anthony Fainga’a. [/one_half]
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Loss of talent is ‘natural turnover’
ACT Brumbies director of rugby Laurie Fisher believes that the ARU’s loss of talent is just natural turnover from the small Aussie market which leaves plenty of players without an opportunity. “It’s just a fact of life,” Fisher said. “As one person goes, a more-than-capable person takes their place. It’s a small market here, there’s only so many playing and coaching positions available.”
Fisher is expected to be confirmed as Gloucester coach for the next three seasons. The Brumbies are currently in sixth position and following a bye this round the team will face the Western Force in a match that will likely decide whether they make the Super Rugby finals. [/one_half]
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Du Preez to miss Rugby Championships
Fourie du Preez will be sidelined for at least three months after suffering an ankle injury during the dominating 55-6 win over Scotland last Saturday, meaning that the Springboks will be without the star halfback for the upcoming Rugby Championships. “Fourie is a dynamic leader, one of the vice-captains, and his injury is a huge setback. He has been brilliant since returning to the Springboks last year,” said coach Heyneke Meyer.
Du Preez is among six 2013 Springboks ruled out of the Rugby Championship by injury. The others are centre Jaque Fourie, locks Flip van der Merwe and Pieter Steph du Toit and loose forwards Arno Botha and Pierre Spies.
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