Month: September 2019

SPURS SQUAD EXPECT POCH TO GO
A win on Saturday lifted the mood around Tottenham but Sunday’s whispers suggest all is not well at White Hart Lane.

Apparently, some of the Spurs players have come to view Mauricio Pochettino as a hypocrite. The manager tore into his squad in the wake of the Carabao Cup defeat to Colchester, accusing a section of the dressing room of having ‘different agendas’.

The Sun on Sunday reckon that hasn’t gone down well with the players. “They feel Poch is the one with an agenda” a source close to the players is quoted as saying.

The belief among the squad is that Pochettino will be gone at the first opportunity, with Manchester United quoted as his preferred destination.

 

SOUTHGATE TO TAKE OVER?
The Star on Sunday take the saga a stage further, claiming Spurs have identified the man they want to replace Pochettino.

Apparently, Daniel Levy considered a move for Gareth Southgate at the end of last season, when Pochettino revealed how he would probably have left Spurs had they won the Champions League final. The England boss remains Levy’s preferred candidate and depending how the European Championships go next summer, then Southgate may feel ready to return to club management.

Whether Pochettino lasts until then, it remains unclear.

 

LIVERPOOL FEAR KLOPP EXIT
One manager who it is feared could make the reverse move from club football to the international game is Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool boss is sitting snugly at Anfield but Klopp is known to harbour ambitions of one day leading Germany.

The Reds have made attempts to pin down the coach to a longer contract but Klopp is in rather less of a hurry to commit to another deal.

The Sunday Mirror says Klopp’s stance has led to fears at Anfield that they could be vulnerable should the Germany job become available anytime soon. Joachim Low is currently under severe pressure to deliver following the 2014 World Cup winners’ dismal attempt to defend their title last year and Nations League failure. Low’s contract is due to expire before the 2022 World Cup, just when Klopp’s deal at Liverpool is up.

 

REDS EYE AJAX STAR
In the meantime, Klopp is more concerned with reinforcing his legacy at Anfield. One report suggests David Neres could help him to do that.

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The Brazilian forward played a huge role in taking Ajax to the Champions League semi-final last season and though there was interest in the 22-year-old during the summer, Neres remained at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Calciomercato claims Liverpool will make a move for Neres, who is under contract at Ajax for another three and a half years. Their suggestion is that the interest in Neres, who can play on both flanks, is a further hint that Mo Salah could be on his way at the end of the season.

 

AND THE REST
Jose Mourinho is preparing to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid… West Ham have put a £100m price tag on Declan Rice… Barcelona are set to move again for Chelsea winger Willian… Man City want Leicester centre-back Caglar Soyuncu… After missing out on Matthijs De Ligt in the summer, Barcelona wanted Victor Lindelof… Man Utd will expect £20m for Dean Henderson… Chelsea are leading the chase for Wigan’s 17-year-old Joe Gelhardt… Wolves are keen on Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard.

Reds recruit Caleb Timu will not make his Super Rugby debut in 2016, after suffering a serious knee injury.

Timu ruptured his ACL in training on Wednesday, ending his code switch before it truly had a chance to take off.

The former Brisbane Broncos U20s player and Australian Schoolboys representative signed with the Reds a fortnight ago, linking him to the club until the end of 2017.

 

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Growing up, Rugby was just Jack Maddocks’s bit on the side.

Cricket was where his true competitive desire laid, as he worked his way through the ranks.

In fact, the NSW Gen Blue U20s fullback barely played the 15-man game in his final years of school, only featuring in a handful of Third XV matches.

Yet, just two matches into the new Super U20s competition, and just one summer in fully focused Rugby training, the 18-year-old has been a standout for the NSW Gen Blue U20s.

“I actually grew up playing cricket, I just played rugby for fun,” he said.

“I love playing cricket, it helps my Rugby massively and vice versas – the skills are really transferrable.”

A season of colts at Easts saw him grab the attention of the Waratahs pathway staff and Maddocks made his way into the gen Blue squad.

Maddocks scored a double for NSW in front of a hostile Canberra crowd last Friday night, backing up a strong opening performance against the Reds U20s.

Maddocks said the new Super U20s competition gave players more than spectators might realise, from the chance to preview a professional lifestyle to the opportunity to play on the same grounds as their heroes.

It was that way last weekend, as the NSW-ACT sides faced off at Canberra Stadium, just hours before the brutal Super Rugby derby played out

“As a young player things (it gives us things) that you wouldn’t think mean a lot to us like playing on the main fields at stadiums, playing with brand new match balls . 

“That kind of stuff professional stuff makes it really exciting.”

Maddocks has made one first grade outing for Sydney Uni over summer and said he wasn’t going to be worried about having to decide between the two sports any time soon.

“I think I’m going to keep playing both sports until I get the decision made for me,” he said.

“It’d be a really good opportunity if I was to go to higher levels in either of the sports. “

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While his ultimate Rugby goal is to make the Australian U20s squad this season, Maddocks would be just as happy returning to his club Easts for the winter.

“I really just want to keep enjoying myself,” he said.

“If I were to get picked for the Australian 20s, that would be great but I’d more than happily go back and play for Easts my club. 

“I’ve been there my whole life and I’d love to play there if I miss out on the Aussie squad.”

Waratahs general manager of pathways Tim Rapp said Maddocks had potential in Rugby after his two eye-catching performances.

“He’s a wonderful athlete,” he said.

“He’s only really just started back in training, Rugby wise, this year. 

“He’s got a lot of potential, he’s got a lot of things he can get better at and work at but that’ll come in time.”

Six unanswered second half Chiefs tries consigned  the Western Force to a 53-10 defeat on Saturday night.

It was deja vu for the Force as they watched a competitive first half effort slip away in the back half for the second straight week.

The Chiefs have travelled 30,000km, the most of any team so far this season, but fatigue proved no barrier for the Kiwis in their late blitz.

The Western Force had their chances early with 92 per cent of possession in the opening 13 minutes, as they put together 14 consecutive phases.

The Chiefs defence held strong and the Force were unable to make the most of their possession.

That inability to capitalise came back to haunt the Force with Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie scoring the opening try against the run of play.

The Force persevered in attack with young winger Semesi Masirewa continually looking dangerous with the ball in hand.

The Force hit back in the 25th minute through new recruit Ben Tapuai, who collected an impressive inside ball from halfback Alby Mathewson.

The Chiefs pounced on the slightest of chances, epitomized when number 8 Michael Leitch gave the Chiefs the lead just shy of the break, their first half-time buffer of the year.

Force backrower Angus Cottrell was sent to the bin the 57th minute for a dangerous tackle and that’s when the Chiefs pounced.

Four tries to Charlie Ngatai equalled the Super Rugby record as the Chiefs streaked away to the 43-point win.

Force coach Michael Foley will rue his side’s early chances, but ultimately the WA side lacked the attacking flare required to stop the Chiefs.

The Force will look to regroup ahead of their final New Zealand tour match next Friday against 2015 Super Rugby champions the Highlanders.

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The Sharks will be without Springboks five-eighth Patrick Lambie for their Super Rugby quarter-final against the Hurricanes on Saturday after failing in a bid to gain dispensation from SANZAAR.

The South African side have suffered from the same rule as the Chiefs, who have lost the services All Blacks flanker Liam Messam for the playoffs.

Lambie was deemed ineligible because he had played only three games in an injury-plagued season.

Competition rules state he must have played in four or been in the squad before April 1 to be eligible.

A Sharks appeal failed as SANZAAR deemed they had sufficient depth in the position.

In better news, Springboks fullback Willie le Roux is poised to play for the first time since injuring his shoulder in the final Test against Ireland in June.

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Prop Tendai Mtawarira and centre Paul Jordaan are reportedly also ready to return from injuries.

The Durban-based side will only arrive in Wellington on Thursday after failing to book an earlier flight.

The eighth-seeded Sharks must upset their top-qualified opponents to have any chance of ending an unenviable playoff history.

They are without a title despite reaching the knockout phase nine times, including four appearances in the final.

The Force might just be the Super Rugby team with everything, and yet nothing, to lose this season.

WA’s Super Rugby franchise is yet to find out whether there will be a place for it among the 2018 iteration of the competition, with neither its survival or axing guaranteed.

The limbo they are in puts them in a unique spot among the Australian teams, each week trying to prove they have earned a place in Super Rugby but trying not to let speculation distract.

New coach Dave Wessels has been bullish about his team’s prospects, both on and off the field, with a government sponsorship adding to their financial credentials.

Adam Coleman and Dane Haylett-Petty earned their Wallabies debuts off the back of their 2016 Super Rugby and they along with Ben McCalman and fringe Wallabies Luke Morahan and Jono Lance will play a major role in the 2017 campaign.

INS + OUTS

IN:  Curtis Rona (NRL), Ben Daley, Shambeckler Vui (U20s), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Ben Matwijow (Reds), Isi Naisarani (NRC), Michael Ruru, Bill Meakes (Gloucester), Chance Peni (NRL), Robbie Coleman (Brumbies), Alex Newsome (Australia U20s). 

OUT:  Ben Tapuai (Bath), Albert Nikoro (released), Brad Lacey (released), Junior Rasolea (Edinburgh), Ammon Matuato (released), Kyle Godwin (Brumbies), Alby Mathewson (New Zealand), Chris Alcock (Brumbies), Rory Walton (Carcassone), Steve Mafi (Castres), Tom Sexton (released), Nathan Charles (Clermont), Guy Millar (Highlanders), Chris Heiberg (Kings), Ollie Hoskins (London Irish) 

INJURY LIST

Ben McCalman (thumb), Matt Hodgson (hamstring), Ben Matwijow (neck),

BIGGEST RECRUIT

Tatafu Polota-Nau 

Had it not been for an injury setback, Tatafu Polota-Nau would have been in Bristol right now, packing down in the Premiership.

Fate had some other plans for the Wallabies’ back-up hooker, though, handing him a fresh start in Perth.

Polota-Nau brings 68 Tests and 140 Super Rugby caps of experience to the Force, making him invaluable in a team that has lacked composure in crucial moments.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER

Adam Coleman 

Coleman was one of the stories of 2016, rewarded for his Force form with a Wallabies June Series debut.

In a second row merry-go-round at Test level, he became the constant in the starting team, handed the responsibility of calling the Wallabies lineouts.

An innocuous knock to the knee ended his season early, against Scotland on the Spring Tour, but Coleman will have returned to Perth armed with critical experience and knowledge.

While Australian teams’ set piece is often targeted by South Africa and New Zealand, with Coleman leading the way for the Force, theirs should be a weapon not a weakness. 

WALLABIES BOLTER

Jono Lance

Okay, he’s not so much a bolter as a man who’s time is surely about to come, but Lance seems the most likely Force player to crack Test selection this season.

He was on the verge of a debut in Paris last year, with Quade Cooper a late scratching, but a thrilling conclusion kept him on the pine.

A broken arm in the Wallaby XV match against the French Barbarians ended his season, but Lance has established himself as one of the country’s best playmakers, out of the shadow of Cooper and Bernard Foley.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika suggested it would be only a matter of time before Lance would be legitimate in the Wallabies 23 and if he can stay fit, Lance will surely be donning gold in 2017.

WHAT THE COACH SAYS

Western Force coach Dave Wessels is confident his team can turn its fortunes around on and off the field.

“People thought we were going to be a sitting duck, guys that are talking about the viability of our long-term future in Super Rugby,” he said.

“It’s just galvanised the team to want to do well.

“It’s made them want to work hard and do those people proud.

Wessels’ philosophy when it comes to the Force’s style has been hard to miss in recent weeks, a risk vs reward approach.

“We’ve got to play to win, rather than just playing not to lose,” he said.

“That means every now and then we’re going to get knocked on our bum.”

WHAT’S A PASS MARK?

First of all, a pass mark is making it through to 2018, but that’s not really in the Force’s control.

On the field, winning more games against their conference rivals than they lose is a good start.

The Force have talked for seasons about a more attacking endeavour but never delivered, so if that finally comes to fruition in 2017, that will be a big tick.

PREDICTION

11th. The Force will miss out on finals but will have a far improved record in a more competitive Australian conference than ever.

The ARU is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the future of its five franchises, ahead of a pivotal board meeting on Monday.

That ARU board meeting today is the last ahead of a March 9 SANZAAR meeting, where it is hoped the Super Rugby format from 2018 will be decided upon.

It is believed the Australian contingent will agree on a range of proposals to take into the meeting, with a final format needing to be agreed to by all SANZAAR representatives.

RUPA urged the ARU to guarantee the survival of the five franchises, in a strongly-worded release on Friday, but there are still many decisions to play out before the 2018 format is widely known.

ARU chief operating officer Rob Clarke put the kibosh on talk of a Melbourne Rebels-Brumbies merger on Monday, though.

“Even when I was down here 13 years ago, we were looking to explore the Melbourne market for the Brumbies but that was for commercial upside,” he said.

“The Brumbies have entrenched themselves here (in Canberra).

“I know that under Michael Thompson’s leadership and the board’s leadership there’s a lot of effort going in to make sure that the Brumbies are financially sustainable and certainly their performance on the field under Stephen Larkham can’t be questioned.

“If those two things come together, then that should secure a good future.”

Clarke was less definitive on the shape of Super Rugby moving forward.

“These are complex issues and we operate in a joint venture with three other countries,” he said.

“Each country has its own particular challenges and we’re no different to them, we have our own challenges and we have to marry what is our priorities with the priorities of the joint venture and see if we can come up with a solution that works for everybody.”

“Ultimately it’s not going to be a perfect fit for everybody and  there’ll be some sacrifices that will need to be made. Exactly what they are and how that plays out, won’t be known right now but will become clear in the coming weeks.”

When asked whether he could guarantee the Brumbies’ survival, Clarke only said that any ‘successful’ franchises would have nothing to worry about.

“So, it’s our collective challenge in Australian rugby to make sure our products are successful and if the Brumbies keep doing that along with the other Super Rugby clubs and the Wallabies continue to be successful then we should have a healthy future.”

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Tony McGahan has named an unchanged starting XV to for the Rebels’ first Australian derby of 2017.

For the first time in 27 matches, McGahan will run out the same starting XV against the Waratahs that he did against the Chiefs last Friday.

The consistency on the team sheet is a welcome sight for Rebels fans, as the team put in a resurgent performance against the Super Rugby-leading Chiefs before being pipped at the post.There have been some changes on the bench, though – with Lopeti Timani, Mitch Inman, Tom Moloney and Welsh import Dominic Day all to grace the pine.

Timani missed last Friday’s clash with a knee knock but has been passed fit to play, while Day, who has three caps for Wales, is set to make his Super Rugby debut.

James Hanson will also earn his 100th Super Rugby cap when he runs onto AAMI Park.

TEAM

1. Fereti Sa’aga

2. James Hanson

3. Laurie Weeks

4. Culum Retallick

5. Steve Cummins

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6. Jordy Reid

7. Colby Fainga’a

8. Amanaki Mafi

9. Nic Stirzaker (Captain)

10. Jackson Garden-Bachop

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Reece Hodge

13. Tom English

14. Sefa Naivalu

15. Jack Debreczeni

Reserves (one to be omitted)

16. Pat Leafa

17. Tom Moloney

18. Tyrel Lomax

19. Dominic Day

20. Lopeti Timani

21. Jake Schatz

22. Ben Meehan

23. Mitch Inman

24. Ben Volavola

The Rebels take on the Waratahs at AAMI Park on Friday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on radio at RUGBY.com.au.

As I read through Joe Tomane’s departure message to Brumbies fans I couldn’t help but wonder if we’re reaching a turning point in Australian Rugby.

For years we’ve seen senior players in the twilight of their careers opt for a final dash for cash in France or Japan. More recently, however, some of the finest young talent in the country have chosen to trade meat pies for baguettes or sushi. Matt Toomua was outstanding for the Wallabies in his return match against England, he too will be plying his trade in England later this year. And while one can never doubt the commitment of Nick Phipps, his form in the England series must have had selectors pining for Nick White. Not to mentioned the left boot of Jesse Mogg, who is another twenty something Australian running out for Montpellier.
In the same year that the Wallabies will be without the services of one David Pocock, Liam Gill will be frolicking about Toulon surrounded by more Australian accents than is healthy for the game in this country. And before his injury Kurtley Beale was poised to adios the ARU for a stint in the UK. These players represent a tiny snapshot of a much larger phenomenon. The talent drain is real, but what is driving it?

It’s all too easy to write player departures off to the lure of the yen and euro. No doubt the money on offer overseas is a major factor, but then it has always been easier to earn more playing rugby outside of Australia. As some of our best players stream out the door perhaps we should be wondering out loud how to stem the flow.

Though I’ve written previously about the widening void between the ‘real world’ and professional sport, it is difficult to overstate just how artificial life as modern athlete has become. Peter Ustinov said: “Since we are destined to live out our lives in the prison of our minds, it is our duty to furnish it well.” There was a time when rugby players so inclined could pursue rich intellectual lives while meeting the demands of their sport – those days if not gone are certainly in their death throes.

When I arrived at the Brumbies in 2002 I was able to indulge in the simple and uniquely valuable pastime of reading. Each book was a window into a world disconnected from the bubble of sport, each page a reprieve from the cycle of training and playing.

In the final year of my time at the Brumbies I was reading a lot less. Arriving at work at 7am and often returning home well after dark is a good way to turn young men into excellent rugby players. But it is also a model that appears increasingly unsustainable. Market forces have given professional rugby players more choice than ever, if Australian Rugby is to compete with life in the South of France a rethink is needed.

Clyde Rathbone captained South Africa to a Junior Rugby World Cup in 2002 before immigrating to Australia, playing 73 matches with the ACT Brumbies and 26 for the Wallabies. He is co-founder technology of Karma.wiki

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The opinions expressed in this article are the views of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the ARU.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has been dropped to the bench in favour of Andrew Ready.

There had been signs over the past fortnight that Reds coach Nick Stiles was leaning towards making the shift and he has evidently decided the right time to make the change is against the Lions.

The pair split playing time down the middle against the Crusaders, with Moore not returning to the field after the half-time break.

The Wallabies skipper has eased into his work this season but his first half last Saturday was his best yet, a factor that no doubt made the decision far tougher for Stiles.

Ready is a Reds fan favourite.He has been earmarked as a future Wallaby after consistently showcasing his unique skill set last season.

His work around the breakdown is akin to having a fourth backrower on the field and the lineout ran at 90.6 percent last season – the third best mark in Super Rugby.

“One of the benefits of our squad is we have genuine depth in a number of positions,” Stiles said.

“Both Andrew and Stephen have been exceptional for us over the first few weeks.

“Stephen has started the first few rounds, but we’ve got complete faith in Andrew to take on the starting role and having a guy of Stephen’s quality on the bench provides us with unmatched experience at the back end of the game.”Izack Rodda was dragged against the Crusaders after copping a head knock and it will keep him out of the 23-man squad.

Kane Douglas regains his starting spot, with Lukhan Tui slotting into the vacant spot on the bench.

“It’s disappointing not to be able to give Izack another run, but with the travel over here, he just didn’t have enough time to train and get through all the necessary protocols that come with a head knock,” Stiles said.

“Again, we’ve got a lot of quality depth in the lock position.

“Both Kane and Lukhan bring a lot of aggression and physicality, so they’re a good fit for this game.”

TEAM

IN: Lukhan Tui

OUT: Izack Rodda (concussion)

Reds team to take on the Lions

1. James Slipper (C)

2. Andrew Ready

3. Sam Talakai

4. Rob Simmons

5. Kane Douglas

6. Hendrik Tui

7. George Smith

8. Scott Higginbotham

9. Nick Frisby

10. Quade Cooper

11. Eto Nabuli

12. Duncan Paia’aua

13. Samu Kerevi

14. Izaia Perese

15. Karmichael Hunt

Reserves

16. Stephen Moore

17. Markus Vanzati

18. Taniela Tupou

19. Lukhan Tui

20. Adam Korczyk

21. James Tuttle

22. Jake McIntyre

23. Chris Kuridrani

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The Reds take on the Lions on Sunday morning, kicking off at 2:15am AEDT, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.