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| Aphiwe Dyanti |
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 26th of August.
Photo Copyright Steve Haag Sport Hollywoodbets
Dyanti Fails Doping Test
Well, Rassie Erasmus’ job has been made a lot easier with Golden Lions star Aphiwe Dyanti failing a doping test that could see him face a lengthy ban.
The IRB 2018 World Breakthrough Player of the Year has denied any wrongdoing and has requested that a B sample (a second test sample) is taken from him.
This is what he had to say when he made his statement yesterday ‘“I want to deny ever taking any prohibited substance, intentionally or negligently, to enhance my performance on the field. I believe in hard work and fair play,”.
He went on to say “I have never cheated and never will. The presence of this prohibited substance in my body has come as a massive shock to me and together with my management team and experts appointed by them, we are doing everything we can to get to the source of this and to prove my innocence.”.
While a B sample could well prove his innocence, it’s unlikely that Erasmus’ will take the flyer to the World Cup after this, especially considering he has three in-form wingers in Cheslin Kolbe, Makozola Mapimpi and S’bu Nkosi.
Australia Show Hand
Michael Cheika showed his had this past week with the Australian mentor naming his 31 man World Cup squad. There were a few surprises in it with Joe Powell missing out as Cheika has opted to take just two scrum-halves to Japan. Brumbies fullback, Tom Banks, was also unlucky to miss out. There was no last-minute recall for giant lock Will Skelton, who is currently plying his trade for Saracens in the English Premiership, and would have had to sign for a super Rugby side in order to go to the World Cup
Australia World Cup Squad
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Michael Hooper (Captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White.
Scotland and England Win
Scotland vanquished the demons of their ill-fated trip to the French Riviera by beating France 17-14 at Murrayfield, while England fired a massive warning shot beating Ireland 57-15 at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones’ side looked the real deal out in London with injury-plagued centre Manu Tuiliangi putting in a barnstorming display. If England can keep the big man fit then they may well have a chance of lifting the coveted William Webb Ellis Cup for the second time.
South Africa and New Zealand to Name Squads in the Coming Days
Players around South Africa and New Zealand will be anxiously waiting for their respective country’s coaches to announce their World Cup squads.
Rassie Erasmus is set to name his 31 players later today, while Steve Hansen will decide who will make the flight to Japan on Wednesday.
Written by Darry Worthington
