Wednesday’s rugby news has Nick Cummins still confident, Pat Leafa re-signs with the Rebels, Ben Tapuai signs with the Western Force and Duane Vermeulen in doubt for Rugby Championship and World Cup.
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Cummins Still Confident
Nick Cummins is still hopeful of staying in the Wallabies squad after joining the squad in place of Henry Speight.
“I always say this — I haven’t heard the fat lady sing yet,” he said.
“The World Cup is a biggie in my own personal book and that’s something I’ve been hustling to get to.
“It comes right now to crunch time and if it is to be, it’s up to me.”
Cummins also praised the return of Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.
“Bring in the old dogs, they’ve still got some fight in them,” Cummins said.
“You see Gits out there, he’s still got it … Back in the day six, seven years ago I was playing with him at the Force and he still has that same zing.
“Credit to him, I don’t know how he does it. He’s going to be dangerous.”
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Leafa Re-signs
Melbourne Rebels hooker Pat Leafa has re-signed with the club until the end of 2017. Front rower Tim Metcher has also recommitted until the end of 2016.
Leafa will compete for the starting hooker position with James Hanson who joins the club from the Reds and Siliva Siliva from the the Brumbies.
“It’s an eye opener in terms of where the coaching staff sees me,” said Leafa.
“It shows that they believe in me and my re-signing shows that I believe in the club, and in our ability to deliver what the coaches want us to do and to get to where we want to be in the coming seasons. It’s exciting, and I am grateful for the opportunity.
“There’s two quality hookers coming in for 2016, James Hanson from the Reds and Siliva Siliva from the Brumbies, and that increased competition is really good; we’ll be pushing each other hard. I’m really excited about what lies ahead next year, and all I can say is it’s going to be exciting; I have a lot more to give and to prove.”[/one_half] [one_half last=”no”]
Tapuai Joins Force
Out of favour Queensland Reds centre Ben Tapuai will join the Western Force on a two year deal starting next season.
Tapuai played seven tests for the Wallabies and was a key member of the victories 2011 Reds side. He will join former Reds teammates Luke Morahan and Jono Lance at the club.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to challenge myself in different environment,” Tapuai said.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time at the Reds but I felt like I need a new and different environment to be able to challenge myself further and move forward.
“There’s an exciting squad at the Force at the moment and I’d like to think that I can bring some more experience to the squad from what I’ve learnt over the years, and contribute to helping us improve as a team.
“I spoke to Luke [Morahan], who’s said what a good place the Force and Perth is to play rugby, and when I heard that Jono [Lance] signed – who I’ve also played with at school and the Reds – it was great to have the chance to play with him again too.”
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Vermeulen in Doubt
South African number eight Duane Vermeulen is unlikely to play in the Rugby Championship and may miss the World Cup due to a neck injury.
Vermeulen will have an operation on Wednesday after he consulted a specialist.
“This is a huge setback for us, but as with any injury in the game it’s something that we simply have to overcome,” South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said.
According to the Springboks team doctor having surgery now was best for Vermeulen’s “medium to long term career options.”
Vermeulen joins an injury list containing scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, centre Frans Steyn and flanker Willem Alberts.
In good news for South Africa, captain Jean de Villiers has recovered from a serious knee injury sooner than expected and could play as soon as South Africa’s opening match against a World XV in Cape Town according to the SARU.[/one_half]
