Wednesday’s rugby news has Link’s response to departure rumours, McCalman to start, TPN using his head and Carter doubtful for the rest of the Rugby Championships.
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Link not worried about rumours
Ewen McKenzie is unconcerned that neither Quade Cooper or Kurtley Beale have managed to complete contract talks for next year with the ARU. Beale is currently being pursued by the Bulldogs NRL side, while Cooper has reportedly received an offer from Lyon in France’s Top 14.
The Wallabies coach said he had no reason to be “nervous” about either playmaker leaving Australian rugby, emphasising that his recent interactions with both Cooper and Beale had shown no signs of malcontent.
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McCalman preferred at 8
Ben McCalman has been picked in the starting Test side ahead of Scott Higginbotham, with Ewen McKenzie preferring the Force backrower’s physical presence in the early stages of Saturday’s match against Argentina.
“The start to Tests are now particularly abrasive and physical. Ben is right up there in terms of dominant tackles and we need a presence over the ball too,” McKenzie said. On Higginbotham’s omission, Link cryptically said, “He’s aware of what he needs to work on.”
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Polota-Nau opting for safety
After four serious concussions and multiple injury setbacks of late, Tatafu Polota-Nau has seen the perils of his reckless kamikaze tackling technique. Recognising that his head knocks were costing him playing time and possibly jeopardising life after rugby, TPN has been working with Tahs coach Nathan Grey to modify his technique.
“I was trying to sight them from a good 10 metres away and flying five metres, then guessing the rest of the five metres … now it’s more trying to slow my feet and targeting appropriately,” he said. TPN has also vowed to act as a concussion guinea pig, committing to regular check-up with neurologist John Watson.
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Carter return doubtful
It looks like Dan Carter will miss the whole of the Rugby Championships, with Assistant coach Ian Foster saying that a lack of match fitness will make it hard to integrate the All Blacks five-eighth into the Test squad by the end of the series. “It’s a matter of how we integrate him, whether it’s through ITM Cup or through us,” Foster said.
“We’d love him to have a game before he comes and plays with us, so we’ll see what unfolds.” Carter has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his leg during the Crusaders Super Rugby final loss to the Waratahs in Sydney. The All Blacks have been carrying three five eighths in their squad, with Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade available.
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