Rugby news, gossip and chat – Friday, 7 July 2023 – Green and Gold Rugby

Rugby information, gossip and chat – Friday, 7 July 2023

TESTING POSITIVE

Let’s restart this complete shebang off with a bang: the primary Wallabies 23 of ’23.

Starters: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (c)

Finishers: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Carter Gordon

The most important and finest information is Quade Cooper being slot in July, out there and forward of all different contenders for 10. I’ll be watching my favorite participant with equal measures of pleasure and worry (i.e. of one other critical damage).

Even earlier than the crew announcement, James Slipper was reported as having been injured at coaching and Blake Schoupp was derricked onto a aircraft. If Slipper begins, Matt Gibbon ought to count on a protracted shift.

Debuting at 6 is Tom Hooper, and with Michael Hooper chosen at 7, GAGR dubs the mixture . . . um . . . the Atomic Dooper? Put up your higher recommendations under.

Additionally making their debuts, however by way of the bench, are Richie Arnold, Zane Nonggorr and Carter Gordon. Richie’s late-career first cap is a feather in his cap, whereas Gordon has a terrific alternative to indicate what’s bought and what he can do with it. It’s an inexpensive shot to make enjoyable of a bloke’s title, however ‘Zane Nonggorr!!’ has at all times struck me as one thing Conan the Barbarian would bellow as he break up an enemy’s cranium along with his broadsword.

It appears to me that Reece Hodge is the substitute and Samu Kerevi the true inside centre – however Eddie Jones has sensibly scheduled Samu for a second-half position. I imply no disrespect to Hodge; he’s an ace utility and potential match-winner, and his title can be the primary I might pencil in for any Wallabies 23.

Jones has picked a couple of favourites, and in so doing has posed a few questions that can be answered publicly. First, is Suliasi Vunivalu actuallu a Check-grade rugby wing, adequate to fulfill and beat the established Mark Nawaqanitawase normal? Second, is Michael Hooper nonetheless bodily aggressive? His endurance might be glorious and he’s nonetheless fast, however he’ll be enjoying in tight amongst a dozen a lot greater and stronger people . . . maybe he simply received’t make an impression within the collisions and contests over the ball. However no matter reply emerges this weekend, I count on Hooper can be Jones’s first-choice 7 all through The Rugby Championship and the World Cup.

Squad members who may and doubtless ought to really feel a bit aggrieved this weekend embrace Nawaqanitawase, Lalakai Foketi and Jed Holloway. There can be accidents, boys, so preserve your chins up.

If you happen to can see another questions which are about to get publicly answered, or have to pontificate about Vunivalu, or simply wish to wang on about something Wallabies, lower unfastened within the feedback. And examine again right here tomorrow for the GAGR TRC 2023 preview.

DECKCHAIRS OVERBOARD

Right here’s a fast round-up of recruitment details and rumours. You received’t discover these things in your LinkedIn feed.

Former Wallaby, Brumby and Insurgent Joe Powell has reached secure harbour at Leicester Tigers, after swimming away from the sinking wreck of London Irish. The Tigers had been in search of a spare halfback to cowl for Ben Youngs and Jack van Poortvliet throughout the World Cup. In presumably associated information, Dan McKellar took over as Leicester’s head coach this week.

Ex-Reds and Queensland Nation unfastened ahead Caleb Timu has signed on at Clermont, after spending a 12 months at Bordeaux Bègles. For the remainder of 2023 he’ll prepare alongside the very giant lock Miles Amatosero, who can be on the Waratahs in 2024. Caleb’s skilled improvement in Australia was one in all Brad Thorn’s teaching successes.

Tana Umaga might quickly be introduced as Moana Pasifika’s 2024 coach (some sources are reporting his appointment as official). He doesn’t appear to be an improve on Aaron Mauger. You may recall that in Umaga’s final head teaching stint, he steered the Auckland Blues to the underside of Tremendous Rugby with the most effective piledriver seen since his job on Brian O’Driscoll. Maybe, just like the aforementioned Thorn, he’s not fairly vibrant sufficient to educate an expert franchise. He’ll even be an assistant to Manu Samoa’s head coach Seilala Mapusua for the World Cup. Ia manuia!

And in one other Thorn-adjacent improvement, there may be discuss of Les Kiss (one other ex-London Irish refugee) speaking to the Reds. That’s thrilling.

Lastly, the Different Website (that’s the previous Different Website, not the brand new, Different Different Website) reported yesterday that Noah Lolesio is about to signal a short-term contract with Toulon. That in all probability means he’ll be onboarded for the High Quatorze 2023-24 season that begins across the identical time because the World Cup. Let’s hope Noah will get to get pleasure from a few World Cup matches with a beer in his hand.

Thanks for turning up see the Inexperienced and Gold Rugby weblog relaunched. We had been by no means going to let this grand previous barge implode in a World Cup 12 months. Go the Wallabies!

Article courtesy of JusWal. Welcome again to the highest of the road, mate!