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| Aaron Smith |
Darry Worthington takes a look at the major Rugby World Cup 2019 news that has come out this past week.
With the Rugby World Cup just a few weeks away and warm-up games coming thick and fast, it’s getting to the point where injuries and the form of key players could derail a sides campaigns.
Below, we take a look at the latest World Cup news for the week of the 19th of August.
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All Blacks Drop to Second
The Welsh had reason to celebrate after beating England this past Saturday as the win will see them enjoy an extended run as the World’s number 1 side. The Dragons were top of the pops for just over 24 hours a week prior but their loss to England in the first leg of the Quilter Cup series saw them drop back down below the All Blacks. This past weekend’s 21-13 victory over the same opponents saw them jump back into first despite New Zealand beating Australia 36-0 at Eden Park.
The rankings are a bit skewed, however, as Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953. Wales coach, Warren Gatland also felt the accolade was not worth getting overly excited about with the veteran Dragons mentor stating ““It’s nice for a day, but we won’t be shouting from the rooftops about it. We have got to keep things in perspective.”
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen thought it doesn’t have much bearing on things, going as far to state “To me, I’ve never understood their system. You win a game and you lose the top ranking.”.
Coetzee’s World Cup Dream Over?
With just a few weeks until Japan 2019, it’s gotten to that time where Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has had to sharpen the old axe and start chopping heads. The veteran mentor cut his squad down to 36 players this past weekend with former Sharks stalwart, Marcell Coetzee, being the first big name to get the boot.
It’s seems the Ulsterman, who has been hampered by injury since linking up with the squad, was unable to do enough during his cameo against Argentina to ensure he remained in contention as he has been let go from the raining squad.
South Africa 36 Man Squad
Forwards
Schalk Brits (Vodacom Bulls), Lood de Jager (Vodacom Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (DHL Stormers), Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse, France), Eben Etzebeth (DHL Stormers), Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Saracens, England), Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Francois Louw (Bath, England), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Emirates Lions), Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira (Cell C Sharks), Franco Mostert (Gloucester, England), Trevor Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), Marvin Orie (Emirates Lions), Kwagga Smith (Emirates Lions), RG Snyman (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Vodacom Bulls).
Backs
Backs (15): Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks, England), André Esterhuizen (Cell C Sharks), Warrick Gelant (Vodacom Bulls), Elton Jantjies (Emirates Lions), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse, France), Jesse Kriel (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Sbu Nkosi (Cell C Sharks), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints, England), Frans Steyn (Montpellier, France).
Omitted
Dillyn Leyds, Scarra Ntubeni, Wilco Louw, Marcell Coetzee and Marco van Staden
Anscombe Officially Out of RWC 2019
After last week’s piece went to press it was confirmed that Gareth Anscombe was officially out of the World Cup. The Welsh star has done his ACL and a meniscus (cartilage). These injuries are long term and the Ospreys man may not even be back in time for next year’s Six Nations.
‘Scots Hammered on The Riviera
Scotland got their World Cup warm-up campaign underway in a highly disappointing manner with Gregor Townsend’s men going down 32-3 to France.
While the Scottish side wasn’t exactly at full-strength, it did feature a number of veterans such as talismanic fullback Stuart Hogg.
Scotland will need to up the ante this weekend when they host France in the return leg. Another heavy defeat and their World Cup pool rival Japan may look to be the more likely team to make it through to the quarter-final stage of the global showpiece.
Reiko’s Race Against Time
Reiko Ioane is one of six All Blacks to be released to play Mitre Cup rugby this coming weekend. The Blues flyer hasn’t been in the best of touch this year, and with Sevu Reece and George Bridge playing blinders against Australia last weekend, Ioane has his work cut out for him if he is to return to the All Blacks starting XV.
*Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our Mitre 10 Cup Round 3 preview which will be released in the coming days.
Ioane will turn out for Auckland this week and will be joined in Mitre 10 Cup action by Brad Webber (Hawke’s Bay), Luke Jacobson (Waikato), Atu Moli (Tasman), Jackson Hemopo (Manawatu), Brandon Ennor (Canterbury), Vaea Fifitia (Wellington) as well as Otago duo Josh Ioane and Liam Coltman.
Written by Darry Worthington
