THE PRESS, Christchurch Wednesday, August24, 2011 SPORT B19 RUGBY IN BRIEF Head1 Tonga surprise ❯❯ France-based back rower Coaches face highs and lows of job Finau Maka has been named to captain a Tonga team coached Richard Knowler Brisbane WALLABIES them this is the most experi- last weekend. Henry said he yesterday, had to attend to the by his brother, Isitolo Maka, at enced All Blacks squad to was stunned at how well Dagg business of fielding questions next month’s Rugby World Cup. Graham Henry was chirping Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley- contest a World Cup. But that played considering his lack of on his players’ behaviour and Former captain Nili Latu, who like a sparrow but it took a Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, vital maturity was not enough game-time. then watch Cooper, Beale and led Tonga to the 2007 World while for Robbie Deans to Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, to save 45-test wing Sivivatu ‘‘Obviously he is a bloody O’Connor be interrogated. Cup, surprisingly was not unearth his sense of humour Quade Cooper, Will Genia; who lost out to Guildford who, good athlete but it speaks Despite repeated questions included in the squad named yesterday. Radike Samo, David Pocock, at 21, is eight years his junior volumes about [how] he can packaged in a variety of yesterday, though the Immediately after All Rocky Elsom, James Horwill, and has played just six get himself to that state to different ways, the trio prospect of his selection Blacks boss Henry announced Dan Vickerman, Ben internationals. play at that level in that avoided giving specific details prompted the resignation of his World Cup squad, Alexander, Stephen Moore, ‘‘He is just playing with a period of time.’’ of what happened during the Tonga Rugby Union chairman Wallabies coach Deans was Sekope Kepu. Res: Saia little more energy than the Although lock Boric has incident, or where it hap- Bob Tuckey. The union’s new forced to defend backline Faingaa, Salesi Ma’afu, Rob others, a little more desire,’’ been nursing a foot injury pened, and repeatedly stated chairman, Tevita Latailakepa, stars Quade Cooper, Kurtley Simmons, Ben McCalman, Henry reasoned. ‘‘It was a since June, forwards coach they were ‘‘best mates’’. said the directors considered Beale and James O’Connor Scott Higginbotham, Luke very close-run thing. Because Steve Hansen insisted his The brawl allegedly resul- it was not appropriate for Latu from allegations of boozing Burgess, one TBA. of that energy and ability he selection was a ‘‘no brainer’’. ted in them forfeiting their to be selected because he had and brawling among them- got the nod.’’ While he admitted the match fees before assisting not played in warmup games. selves in Paris last November. One of the biggest feel-good coaches reviewed Colin the Wallabies to belt France Deputy chairman Aminiasi This was barely 12 hours Robbie Deans Graham Henry impress at No 8 in last stories belonged to Israel Slade’s yo-yo performance in by a record score. Kefu said the union had after O’Connor had been fined weekend’s 5-18 defeat to the Dagg after he suffered a Port Elizabeth last weekend, ‘‘If you look at how often considered Latu’s case and and banned from Saturday Contrast Deans’ situation instead of Sitiveni Sivivatu Springboks. serious quadriceps injury Henry has stuck with the first we hang out, there are going instructed Maka not to select night’s Tri-Nations test at with that of the upbeat Henry and Anthony Boric in place of ‘‘He [Vito] has got a lineout playing for the Crusaders in five-eighth over Aaron to be disagreements every him. Maka complied, saying ‘‘at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium who gave another insight to Jarrad Hoeata. option which is quite import- early May. Despite playing Cruden because of his ability now and then. the end I am just the coach, for going out on the grog and his World Cup plans when Undoubtedly the selection ant and Liam didn’t quite tick just one match for Hawke’s to play wing and fullback and ‘‘That is what happens there are people above me’’. missing the Australians’ revealing a 30-man squad that of Vito was the biggest shock, all the right boxes in the last Bay he forced his way into the also pouch the high ball. when you are best mates. World Cup squad naming last included Victor Vito ahead of the loose forward forcing his test,’’ Henry admitted. squad with an outstanding Meanwhile, Deans, who There are no issues,’’ Cooper Young captain week. Liam Messam, Zac Guildford way in after Messam failed to With 1133 test caps among performance against the Boks named his Wallabies team maintained. ❯❯ Sam Warburton will become Wales’ youngest World Cup captain after coach Warren Gatland revealed his 30-man squad yesterday. However, Martyn Williams misses out on Blackadder the chance to win his 100th cap at the tournament. Gatland confirmed that Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton, 22, would take over the armband rates omitted from hooker Matthew Rees, who was ruled out after surgery on a neck injury. The Welsh squad contains one uncapped player, Scarlets Crockett hooker Ken Owens. He received a late call to replace Tony Smith and Richard Knowler the injured Richard Hibbard. We think Tony Wyatt Crockett’s World Cup Hoeata guilty omission has done nothing to Woodcock is a change Crusaders coach Todd ‘ better prop, ❯❯ Tasman lock Riki Hoeata Blackadder’s opinion that he has been found guilty of a is the world’s best loosehead probably in the dangerous tackle and will miss prop. area of scrum- his team’s final ITM Cup rugby Crockett declined to com- maging. It was a match against Manawatu in ment yesterday, although he Nelson tomorrow night. The indicated he would be at close run thing incident related to Hoeata’s Canterbury training to- but Woody has tackle on Otago winger Joe Hill morrow, and would be happy in the 59th minute of their to speak then. been there, done match, won 19-16 by Otago, in Blackadder said last night that and he has Nelson on Sunday. Hoeata, 23, he knew Crockett would be shown us he can denied the charge, but judicial hurting, but he insisted the officer Bruce Squire, QC, ruled front rower should be ‘‘really do it time and that the player did not use his proud’’ of his Tri-Nations time again in the arms in executing the tackle. performance. highest arena. ‘‘He has proved he can per- Murray gets nod form at that level. But [the All Steve Hansen Black coaches] have probably Assistant coach ❯❯ Conor Murray has been just gone for Tony Wood- named in Ireland coach Declan cock’s experience, and he’s Kidney’s 30-man squad for the never let them down.’’ us he can do it time and time World Cup at the expense of Blackadder said during the again in the highest arena. It Munster team-mate Tomas Crusaders’ Super rugby cam- is unfortunate for Wyatt – O’Leary. Murray made his only paign that Crockett was the there is not enough room.’’ test appearance against best loosehead prop in the ‘‘Woody has shown that if France in Bordeaux 10 days world, and he said last night he is not the best loosehead Wing and a prayer: Zac Guildford thought of his late father when the young back was picked for the All Blacks’ World Cup squad. Photo: REUTERS ago. He will travel to New he had not seen anything in prop in the world, he is one of Zealand with fellow halfbacks the Tri-Nations arena to alter two.’’ Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss, that view. Hansen said the scrum who hails from Waikato. ‘‘I defy any prop to get penalties conceded by Crock- around the field as well as ett in the Bledisloe Cup test Guildford plans to ‘do father proud’ Codes meet Crocky does,’’ he said. against Australia had not Blackadder said Crockett counted against him, and the ❯❯ Canterbury Rugby have met was ‘‘too tough’’ to let his selectors had told the Canter- Richard Knowler Brisbane final in Tokyo – which Zac’s Guildford to find a release for who missed out were taken Keeping the secret, he said, with Canterbury Rugby League World Cup non-selection set bury man he had done all he New Zealand team won his grief and frustration aside in private before the was no difficulty – although (CRL) and the Christchurch him back. He said the 28-year- could. It is just not because his against England – Robert, 44, following his father’s passing meeting. he thought team-mate and City Council about a possible old had ‘‘really turned his Blackadder urged Crockett father’s name is tattooed died of a heart attack. and last year he joined the Despite the relief of being Twitter-mad Cory Jane may Crusaders move to Adding- game around and I think he to keep his head up, because across his heart that Zac After his death Zac had his Crusaders. named, Guildford said he was have struggled to contain his ton’s Rugby League Park. CRL still has a great future’’. he could be ‘‘only one injury Guildford thought of his dad father’s full name inscribed ‘‘It would be good if he was in no mood to go overboard excitement. general manager Graeme Sole All Blacks forwards coach away’’ from making the squad when he was named in the on his chest and said he was here but unfortunately he with the celebrations and told ‘‘Not really, it is only a said discussions were in the Steve Hansen said in Bris- if a front row casualty World Cup squad.