Darry Worthington takes a look at the rugby news that has made the headlines over the past week. While the growing Corona has put a hold to all rugby fixtures around the globe, there’s still a lot of rugby news doing the rounds at the moment. This week’s big stories include infighting in Australian rugby, an intriguing derby return and an audacious transfer move from the Bulls.
Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Castle Under Siege
Australian Rugby is in big trouble and ARFU CEO, Raelene Castle, is in the firing line with former Wallabies great Nick-Farr Jones having a real go at the embattled head of Australian rugby. Jone suggested that she should be axed and replaced by former Wallaby and current Super Rugby pundit, Phil Kearns.
While there has been a lot of criticism of Castle, she has got some backing from former Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia who has pleaded with all parties to stop the infighting.
There’s also a rumour doing the rounds that if Castle was to be axed or she steps down then new Australian head coach Dave Rennie could possibly walk away from the job without even taking a coaching session.
North Versus South Island Derby On The Cards
With Super Rugby set to be cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the NZRU are trying to come up with ideas to sell broadcasting rights and give the general public something to feast upon once rugby restarts.
One idea that they’ve come up with is to get the old North Island versus South Island derby going again. The last time it was played in successive seasons was in 1994 and 1995 while it was revived in 2012 as a fundraiser for the Otago Rugby Union.
I personally hope this one goes ahead as it would be a cracker of a game.
Jones Signs On To 2023
Eddie Jones has decided to keep his dream of winning a Rugby World Cup alive by signing on with England until the competition of the 2020 World Cup. The Australian came oh so close in 2019 and seems to want another bite of the cherry.
It’s a smart move by Jones as England should be a real threat come 2019, and there’s no real other head coaching roles amongst the top tier nations.
Russel Back In Townsend’s Good Books?
It seems there is some good news to come out of the Coronavirus with Scottish star Finn Russell and head coach Gregor Townsend no back on speaking terms. Russell said that he and Townsend had been chatting over the past couple weeks and that their fragmented relationship – which Russell has played down over the past few weeks – has improved drastically. The duo fell out just before the Six Nations due to Russell apparently breaking team protocols.
This is great news for Scottish rugby fans as Russell is a special talent who can get this Scottish backline firing again.
Newcastle Falcons Back In The Big Time
The English Rugby Football Union cancelling all their competitions – bar the Gallagher Premiership – last week. This was great news for Newcastle Flacons fans as it was confirmed that their side would be promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
In truth, the Falcons were always going to go back up regardless if the season continued as they were 22 points clear of Ealing Trailfinder with only seven games left in the season.
Willemse To The Bulls?
New Blue Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, is apparently trying to lure Western Province and Stormers fly-half Damien Willemse to Loftus.
It doesn’t really come as a shock as Willemse is a prodigious talent and already has a Rugby World Cup winners medal under his belt. I personally would be surprised if this one goes through as Willemse is very highly rated in the Western Cape.
