#360Rugby: Exiled Aussies can help Wallabies & USA living to promise

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  • Matt Giteau could aid Australia with rest.

    Wallaby coach Michael Cheika caused some head-scratching amongst Australian rugby fans when announcing that overseas-based players would not be part of his squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

    After the Australian Rugby Union made the historic decision to relax their overseas eligibility rules, Cheika’s move was seen as a swipe at the country’s exiles. The fire-brand coach has since explained that his decision was in fact an act of empathy for the likes of Toulon duo Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, who are in need of a break after a gruelling European season. Ultimately, it may be a decision that wins Australia the World Cup.

    While many disgruntled fans would rather see the camp used to bring together their World Cup stars, a player of Giteau’s calibre will be more useful to the team fully energised and healthy.

    World Cups are not won by players who produce sporadic moments of brilliance, rather by leaders who play percentage rugby and do not make mistakes under pressure.

    Australia head to the World Cup as favourites to be knocked out of a tough group that includes England and Wales and if Chieka has any chance of proving the critics wrong, he is going to need a fit and fresh Giteau.

    USA qualify for the Olympics and it looks as if they are here to stay

    The USA Sevens side will defend their Olympic rugby title next year in Rio de Janeiro after defeating Canada 21-5 on Sunday in the final of the commentator’s favourite North America Caribbean Rugby Association qualifying tournament.

    The last time rugby was seen at an Olympics was way back in 1924 where the Paris crowds were treated to the 15-a-side format of the game.

    Back in the (almost) present day, Perry Baker continued his red hot form on a sweltering North Carolina afternoon at WakeMed Park to open the scoring, before scores from Danny Barrett and Maka Unufe effectively ended the final as a contest.

    It went from bad to worse for the error-strewn Maple Leafs as the introduction of Carlin Isles provided a fresh examination of the faltering Canadian defense.

    Given America’s natural athletic design (i.e. big, fast and mobile), the country has always been seen as a potential hot-bed for the sport. Building on a maiden World Sevens Series victory last month at the prestigious London leg, it looks as if the beast has finally awoken.

    In Baker and Isles the Eagles not only have successful role models to generate grass-roots interest in an exciting sport, but more importantly they have the means to snare more disgruntled or failed American Footballers and sprinters hoping to apply their natural talent to a new sport. America’s opponents at Rio 2016, you have been warned.

    Parisse’s day as Top 14 title returns to Paris

    Morne Steyn won the battle of the boot to secure Stade Francais a 12-6 win over Clermont Auvergne and a first Top 14 title since 2007 on Sunday at the Stade de France.

    The win marks another year of heartbreak for Clermont, who now boast the unenviable statistic of 11 losses from 12 domestic finals to add to last month’s agonising European Cup final defeat to Toulon.

    Given veteran fly-half Brock James’ heroics in the semi –final, Les Jaunards’ selectors have quite rightly come under fire for placing their faith in the mercurial, if inexperienced, Camille Lopez.

    Sergio Parisse once again led from the front for the men in pink, coupling his brute strength with some deft offloads that any half-back would be proud of. Parisse is quite simply one of the world’s greatest-ever rugby players and it is his ability to read a game and inspire those around him that separates the Italian from the rest of the pack.

    The number eight has captained rudderless Stade Francais Italy sides in the past but this day belonged to Parisse. His team executed the perfect game plan against opposition more experienced in high-pressure matches.

    This victory may taste even sweeter for Parisse than Italy’s victory over France in the 2011 Six Nations as it is a symbol of consistency that has brought glory, not a one-off performance of note.

    Carter and McCaw bow out of Super Rugby as winners

    The Crusaders gave living legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw a winning send-off after a season-ending 37-24 win over the Brumbies on Sunday, a performance that sees the greats end their careers on one final high.

    Carter, the top points scorer in international rugby, will relinquish his All Black duties after the World Cup to join Racing Metro in France, with McCaw also expected to retire from the game.

    Fittingly, it was McCaw’s 100th victory in Super Rugby and the 34-year-old will depart having delivered four Super Rugby titles to the club he has spent the entirety of his career with.

    The pair are the only multiple winners of the World Rugby Player of the Year, McCaw taking the honour three times (2006, 2009 and 2010) and Carter twice (2005 and 2012).

    Carter’s fly-half master class, including 17 points from the boot provided All Black selectors with a timely reminder of his quality after an injury-laden season.

    In his absence, Aaron Cruden has made the All Black fly-half jersey his own and Carter will be itching to win back his place at rugby’s showpiece event in September.

    Extra time

    Former All Blacks including Ali Williams, Chris Masoe and Carl Hayman performed a road-side haka in memory of Jerry Collins after a tragic road accident earlier this month killed the ex-All Black and his wife in France. A lovely tribute.

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