AUSTRALIA HAVE EXTENDED the contracts of flanker David Pocock and versatile back Kurtley Beale as the duo prepare for the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup campaign.
Pocock, 27, has re-signed with the ACT Brumbies and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) until the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Beale, 26, has added two more years onto his current deal with the ARU and the NSW Waratahs, taking him through until the end of 2017.
Both players have reached a half-century of caps for the Wallabies and were named in Michael Cheika’s 31-man squad for the World Cup, which starts on 18 September.
“I am very passionate about the Wallabies’ jersey and representing this country,” Pocock said via a statement on the ARU’s website. “We are also very fortunate to be able to do what we do, and have the honour of representing so many along the way.”
Beale added: “Wearing the gold jersey is the ultimate. There are some special things happening here at the Wallabies and I am really enjoying being part of this group as it continues to build its identity over the next few seasons.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far and I still believe I can achieve a lot more, both here at the Wallabies and at the Waratahs.”
Originally published at 08.53
Joubert was nothing short of a disgrace in the final .
Joubert was nothing short of a disgrace in every match he’s ever reffed.
Can you imagine if France won though? That would just be bad for rugby in general, and Lievremont might have kept his job longer!
I would more say that he bottled it rather than set out to ensure a home win. Having said that he was chosen to ref the final on the basis that he would bottle it.
They’ll need an even bigger performance from Andre Joubert if they’re to win it again.
*Craig Joubert
They’re clearly the best team on paper so it all just depends on whether they show up. I’ll be putting a sizeable bet on a Southern Hemisphere winner at 7/11. Bet of the century as far as I’m concerned.
Carter will be lucky to get his place in the team these days. Barrett and Slade will gunning for a starting berth. Their strength in depth is remarkable. They could their top 5 or 6 players and still win it.
*could lose their top 5 or 6 players
No Slade would never be starting unless an emergency situation a la 2011 were to happen again. He’s good but nothing more than a bench player. I’d have Cruden as the starting 10 if he wasn’t injured, however I’m confident DC will deliver as long as he doesn’t get injured. TBH the only headache and legitimate question from the above is who our starting right winger is. If you were to go by form you’d be urged to drop Savea for Naholo and have Skudder on the right, but that won’t happen.
Watched the documentary on the NZ triumph in 2011 on a plane a few years ago. Conrad Smith trying to choke back laughter when commenting on how Ireland beat Australia stuck with me. His take was; “you know, scoff scoff, one of these smaller northern sides, might, *tries to hold back laughter, in their day and that, scoff scoff, even, scoff, beat you!”