Wednesday’s rugby news has Waratah optimism, Pocock supported, the Brumbies financially desperate and a ridiculous English World XV.
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More optimism from Cheika
The NSW representatives within the Wallabies side have re-emphasized their faith in new Test coach Michael Cheika, commenting that the recent poor form of three consecutive losses feels similar to the early days of the Waratahs on their way to a Super Rugby Title.
“I think there is more than enough time, and Cheik has promised he’ll work his butt off for 24 hours a day to get everything ready to rock and roll come World Cup,” prop Sekope Kepu said. Test captain Michael Hooper also asserted that, although not reflected in the win-loss figures, the players were confident in the new systems and tactics being put in place ahead of the World Cup.
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Pocock vindicated by fans
David Pocock’s partner Emma, who was also arrested at the same coal mine protest, has said that the former Wallaby captain has been taken aback by the support of fans on social media, reacting negatively to the stern warning of the ARU.
Ms Pocock would not comment on the ARU warning, but said her partner worked hard to strike a balance between “wanting to do things that he feels really passionate about and not make things more difficult for his teammates”. A follow up protest outside of the ACT Legislative Assembly was held yesterday with the Brumbies flanker absent, having resumed pre-season training.
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Brumbies desperate for sponsor
The ACT Brumbies are under desperate pressure to lock up a major sponsor within the next 10 days, with the University of Canberra asserting that they will not continue their partnership beyond 2014. Brumbies general manager Simon Chester said they had retained “90 per cent” of their sponsors, just not the major sponsorship slated to go on the front of their jersey.
“Time’s running out for us,” he said. “The games start in January and the season starts in February and we haven’t been able to secure one at this stage. Chester said the Brumbies’ costs were $17 million to $20 million per year and a major sponsor would cover more than $1 million of that.
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UK media release TOTY
The UK’s Telegraph newspaper has named their World XV, to much overseas criticism. The team includes five Irishmen and four English representatives but only three All Blacks in the side, while the Wallabies missed out altogether. Tell us what you think of the full team below:
15. Willie Le Roux (South Africa), 14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland), 13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), 12. Jean De Villiers (South Africa), 11. Jonny May (England), 10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland), 9. Aaron Smith (All Blacks), 8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), 7. Chris Robshaw (England), 6. Jerome Kaino (All Blacks), 5. Paul O’Donnell (Ireland), 4. Courtney Laws (England), 3. Owen Franks (All Blacks), 2. Augustin Creevy (Argentina), 1. Joe Marler (England).
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