Wednesday’s rugby news has the Patston saga coming to a close, Horne welcoming the competition, Giteau’s position questioned and the European Player of the Year named.
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Patston settles with ARU
The ARU and former Wallaby business manager Di Patston have confirmed that they have resolved Patston’s claim against the ARU with an out-of-court settlement, ending an ugly chapter in Australian rugby. Patston and Waratahs playmaker Kurtley Beale were at the centre of a texting scandal which engulfed the Wallabies in 2014. The matter culminated in Patston leaving her position in late 2014 and Beale being fined AU$45,000, after a code of conduct hearing.
“The ARU recognises the distress caused to Ms Patston and her family and friends in relation to the events of last year and sincerely regrets that this occurred,” an ARU statement said. Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie was forced to deny he was in a relationship with Patston, whose qualifications and past were also scrutinized. With both parties signing confidentiality clauses, the finer details of the text message saga will continue to be a mystery.
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Horne welcomes Mitchell resurgence
Waratahs wing Rob Horne has welcomed the challenge Toulon star Drew Mitchell will pose for an international place heading into the World Cup. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has emphasized that Drew Mitchell is very much on his radar after the former Test winger starred in Toulon’s European Champions Cup win over the weekend, which included a brilliant solo try.
“Competition is good for all spots, especially in a World Cup year. It brings out the best in everyone,” Horne said. The Waratahs winger is considered one of the frontrunners for a Wallabies wing spot in the upcoming Rugby Championship and World Cup, alongside teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper and Brumbies’ wingers Henry Speight and Joe Tomane. Reds utility James O’Connor and Force winger Nick Cummins will also be in the running.
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Gregan says Giteau wasted at 9
Former Wallabies captain George Gregan says he wouldn’t consider Matt Giteau as a back-up halfback, leaving the Toulon star to fight over the limited midfield spots for the World Cup team. Gregan believes coach Michael Cheika needs to take Nick Phipps, Will Genia and Nic White as his three No.9s , with Giteau better utilized at 10 or 12.
“He hasn’t played any halfback in his three years at Toulon,” Gregan emphasized. “You pick a player where he’s best going to improve the team and he’s a world-class No.12, fantastic at No.12, and he’s also a very good No.10.” The former Wallabies captain also said that Drew Mitchell and Giteau should be considered for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
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Euro player of the year awarded
Clermont Auvergne’s English fullback Nick Abendanon has been named European club rugby’s player of the year. Abendanon was chosen from a short-list which also included four back-row forwards, Toulon’s Steffon Armitage, Billy Vunipola of Saracens, Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip and Fritz Lee of Clermont.
The 28-year-old former Bath back helped his French side reach the Champions Cup final and scored a classy solo try in the 24-18 defeat by Toulon. Abendanon’s form will give further credence to the argument for a looser exclusion policy for Engalnd’s World Cup squad. England’s selection policy stipulates that overseas players should be picked only in exceptional circumstances.
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