Aussie wrap (Wed)
21 Jan 2009
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from Australia’s Super 14 franchises.
Friend: Toomua ready for action
Brumbies coach Andy Friend is considering playing rookie Matt Toomua at flyhalf and firmly believes the youngster is ready for Super 14 rugby.
Toomua was only a distant second choice behind Christian Lealiifano last season following Julian Huxley’s tumor scare which has temporarily put his career on hold. But the youngster has emerged as a genuine contender for the No 10 jersey according to Friend.
“Watching him training, yeah he is ready, but it’s another thing when you’re playing full contact. That said I watched him play a few club games last year and I have every confidence that, if asked, he’d be able to step up to Super 14 rugby,” said Friend.
“Matt’s got some tremendous attributes in the way he can read the game and the way he can control a game. He’s a beautiful ball carrier, he just keeps the opposition guessing. He can square up an opposition very, very well.
“Matt’s got a great pass, a lovely kicking game and good vision. He understands trends in the game.”
Giteau to miss Crusaders clash
Flyhalf Matt Giteau will not be part of the Western Force side that will go up against the Crusaders this Friday.
Due to ARU stipulations which rule international players must be given certain time off, Giteau, Ryan Cross and Nathan Sharpe, who would not have played in any case due to a broken thumb, will sit out Friday’s pre-season clash.
Western Force - 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Haig Sare, 13 Junior Pelesasa, 12 Josh Tatupu, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Scott Daruda, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Tamaiti Horua, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Tom Hockings, 4 David Pusey, 3 AJ Whalley, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs – Luke Holmes, Kieran Longbottom, David Stanford, Richard Brown, Chris O’Young, Nick Cummins, Cameron Shepherd, Gareth Hardy, Troy Takiari, Filipe Manu, Justin Turner, Ben Whittaker.
This thread will be updated throughout the day.
2 Comments
21 Jan 2009, 09:27 am
Nobody seems to bother commenting on these Aussie dragons
21 Jan 2009, 10:44 am
The British Newspaper “The Independent” has released a “50 best rugby players in the world” list, it makes for interesting reading:
1. Richie Mccaw (NZ) 2. Juan Martin Hernandez (ARG) 3. Dan Carter (NZ) 4. Sergio Parisse (ITA) 5. Victor Matfield (SA) 6. Matt Giteau (AUS) 7. Shane Williams (WAL) 8. Bryan Habana (SA) 9. Schalk Burger (SA) 10. Juan Smith (SA) 11. Jean de Villiers (SA) 12. Mike Blair (SCO) 13. Ma’a Nonu (NZ) 14. George Smith (AUS) 15. Pierre Spies (SA) 16. Stirling Mortlock (AUS) 17. Fourie du Preez (SA) 18. Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ) 19. Paul O’Connel (IRE) 20. Luke Mcalister (NZ) 21. Nili Latu (TON) 22. Tony Woodcock (NZ) 23. Brian O’Driscoll (IRE) 24. Nathan Sharpe (AUS) 25. Thierry Dusautoir (FRA) 26. Mario Ledesma (ARG) 27. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (FRA) 28. Mils Muliaina (NZ) 29. Martyn Williams (WAL) 30. Bakkies Botha (SA) 31. Joe Rokocoko (NZ) 32. Nick Evans (NZ) 33. Sailosi Tagicakibau (SAM) 34. Ryan Jones (WAL) 35. Lote Tuqiri (AUS) 36. Yannick Jauzion (FRA) 37. Sebastian Chabal (FRA) 38. Conrad Smith (NZ) 39. Rodney So’oialo (NZ) 40. Ricky Januarie (SA) 41. Lee Byrne (WAL) 42. Andrew Sheridan (ENG) 43. Patricio Albacete (ARG) 44. Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZ) 45. Felipe Contepomi (ARG) 46. Aurelien Rougerie (FRA) 47. Ali Williams (NZ) 48. Adam Ashley-Cooper (AUS) 49. Euan Murray (SCO) 50. John Smit (SA)
According to this list the current World XV would look like this:
1. Tony Woodcock 2. Mario Ledesma 3. Euan Murray (Sheridan is a loosehead) 4. Paul O’Connel 5. Victor Matfield 6. Schalk Burger 7. Richie Mccaw (c) 8. Sergio Parisse 9. Mike Blair 10. Dan Carter/Matt Giteau/Juan Martin Hernandez 11.Shane Williams 12. Matt Giteau/Dan Carter 13. Jean de Villiers 14. Bryan Habana 15. Juan Martin Hernandez/Mils Muliaina
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