Wednesday’s rugby news has the Brumbies waiting to re-sign Pocock, important injuries for the Force, a Rebel re-signing and a massive blow to the Scottish side.
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Pocock re-signing delayed
The ACT Brumbies have emphasised that David Pocock’s recent injury is unlikely to be recurring, but that the former Wallaby captain will have to prove that his play will not be affected by his second knee reconstruction before the club re-signs him.
“We’re not rushing into at this stage, we want to see how he recovers from this,” said Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones, “We couldn’t sign him up on pre-season form.” Pocock will be assessed week by week for his grade-one syndesmosis injury but some reports have him out for up to five weeks. Jarrad Butler will move to openside flanker, pushing Jordan Smiler to starting number 8.
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Force lose two for next match
The Western Force will have to face off against the Reds without two key players with prop Pek Cowan and full-back Dane Haylett-Petty both injured in the team’s opening round victory over the Waratahs. Cowan will be out for two weeks after injuring his neck in a scrum collapse, while Haylett-Petty broke two small bones in his left foot during the second half.
Along with the effect of the team’s injuries, coach Michael Foley has stated that the match will be a difficult test for the Force, emphasising the quick turnaround asked of the team, along with the desperation of the Reds who were soundly beaten in the opening round.
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Timani re-signs with Rebels
Rebels utility forward Lopeti Timani has extended his stay with the Melbourne-based franchise by signing a new two-year contract. The Rebels offered the contract extension despite a frustrating injury prone 2014 season which limited Timani to just two Super Rugby appearances.
Coach Tony McGahan emphasised Timani’s impressive NRC campaign at number eight, along with his work over the pre-season to provide another option at lock. “He brings great physicality to everything he does, and is determined to seek improvement in his game,” McGahan said.
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Richie Gray out of 6 Nations
Scotland lock Richie Gray will miss the remainder of the Six Nations after damaging a tendon in his arm during Sunday’s defeat to Wales. The injury is expected to require surgery which will put Gray out of action for up to 12 weeks.
This setback to the Scottish Six nations capaign comes just a day after prop Jon Welsh was also ruled out of the remainder of the competition with a fractured hand. The Scottish Rugby Union confirmed the Glasgow Warriors second-rower Tim Swinson has been called into the squad.
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