Wednesday’s rugby news has Stephen Moore calling to fix up the set piece, Genia linked to Bath move, Gold Coast Sevens draw announced and All Blacks announce their squad.
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Moore Calls to Fix Set Piece
Injured Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has called for the Wallabies to fix up their set piece. Moore emphasised the importance of the set piece especially with upcoming games against Argentina and the Springboks.
“It’s such an important area of the game … We talk a lot about running rugby, scoring tries, flair … but it all starts with set piece in Test footy. Get ascendancy or win your ball well, you can do a lot with that.”
“Look at the importance of the set-piece across those eight games. It’s massive in every one of them.”
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Genia Linked to Bath
Wallaby halfback Will Genia has been linked to a move to Bath next season. Bath are understood to have reached an agreement with Genia but French Top 14 clubs Stade Français and Lyon are also believed to be in the race to secure his services.
Bath have already signed Rugby League star Sam Burgess, however, changes in the salary cap system means that two marquee players can be excluded from the salary cap as long as he is new to the Premiership or has not played in the tournament for 12 months.
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Gold Coast Sevens Draw Announced
The Australian Mens Sevens team has been drawn in Pool C along with Fiji, Scotland and Portugal for the Gold Coast Sevens tournament. The Gold Coast Sevens begins on the 11th of October and will be the first ever event on the Olympic qualification calendar.
Mens Sevens coach Geraint John acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“This is a tough group, no question. We will have to prepare ourselves correctly and we won’t be taking anything for granted … This is the first event on the Olympic qualification calendar and we will really need the backing of the Australian public and passionate local Gold Coast support to give us the best possible chance of making the Cup stages of the tournament. The crowd inspired the side all the way to the Cup Final in 2013 and we’d love their support once again.”
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All Blacks Squad Announced
The All Blacks have announced their squad to tour Argentina and South Africa. Malakai Fekitoa is most likely to replace Ma’a Nonu as Ryan Crotty will make his return from injury via the ITM cup and will join the squad in South Africa. Uncapped hooker Nathan Harris has also been included in the squad.
All Blacks squad:
Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Charles Piutau (Ryan Crotty to join squad in South Africa)
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