Horwill played World Cup with finger injury

Updated January 30, 2012 15:20:53

Wallabies skipper James Horwill has revealed he played last year's World Cup tournament with a serious finger injury.

The Queensland Rugby captain says the small finger of his left hand has torn tendons but it will not stop him taking part in the Red's premiership defence.

Horwill says he dislocated his finger during last year's Super Rugby season and has since been forced to sleep with his left hand in a splint.

Speaking to Grandstand's Zane Bojack the Australian lock says he will continue to tape it before training and matches but cannot wait to get back on the field.

"I've continued to play every game with it so it's certainly not hampering me," Horwill said.

"It wants to stay bent and I need to keep it straight so I wear a splint on it when I sleep."

The Wallabies skipper said it is inconvenient but is not causing him pain.

"I've been playing nine months with it so it's not going to stop me now."

Horwill will lead the Reds in their first trial game against the Brumbies in Cairns on February 11 before flying to Perth for another pre-season clash with the Western Force on February 16.

Their first official game of the 2012 Super Rugby championship season is on Saturday February 25 when they take on the Waratahs at the Olympic stadium in Sydney.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted January 30, 2012 15:05:40

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Mortlock to miss Rebels recruits' debut

Updated February 02, 2012 17:52:00

Skipper Stirling Mortlock will be a surprise spectator when star recruits James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale make their Melbourne Rebels debuts in Geelong on Friday night.

Mortlock is a late withdrawal from the Rebels backline where he was set to partner O'Connor in the centres for part of the opening pre-season trial against the Waikato-based Chiefs.

The former Wallabies captain will be sidelined with a minor knee injury which has failed to improve following a training knock a week ago.

Mortlock's absence hampers plans to gel new combinations with O'Connor running at inside centre and Beale at full-back together in the second quarter among what appears a full-strength backline.

But new coach Damien Hill is unfazed by the need to take a cautious approach by resting the 80-Test centre.

"It's nothing serious but you don't want to rush these things," he said.

It gives former Wallabies and Reds centre Lloyd Johansson more of a chance to shine at outside centre in his return to Australian rugby.

Controversial English import Danny Cipriani has been named at five-eighth for the first half and most interest will be on his combination with O'Connor in the second quarter.

Beale has defied his lingering hamstring problem to line up at Kardinia Park but Hill is not putting any pressure on his two Wallabies recruits.

"It's a combination of just getting a little bit of game fitness for the both of them and more importantly getting combinations overall," he said.

Hill stressed he had no pre-conceived ideas over who to play at number 10 when the Super Rugby competition kicks off but had been impressed by Cipriani's work ethic.

"If his training performances are any indication he's in a good spot at the moment so we can't really ask more of him."

Utility back Richard Kingi has been an impressive pre-season performer and can throw down a challenge to Wallabies back-up half-back Nick Phipps when he plays the first half at number nine.

The Chiefs will feature All Blacks five-eighth and former Hurricane Aaron Cruden in his first match since the World Cup final when he hyperextended his right knee.

Sonny Bill Williams was left out of the visitors' 29-man squad due to his New Zealand heavyweight title bout against Clarence Tillman III in Hamilton next Wednesday.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 02, 2012 17:52:00

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Elsom relishing Tahs captaincy

Updated February 01, 2012 07:14:05

Rocky Elsom claims he has no lingering resentment over his dumping as Australia captain and believes leading Wallabies has left him better equipped for his new role as skipper of New South Wales.

Elsom was officially appointed to the role on Tuesday and will spearhead a large leadership group as the Waratahs carry high hopes into the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dan Vickerman, Berrick Barnes, Tom Carter, Rob Horne and Drew Mitchell were appointed deputies with Elsom the unanimous choice to lead the club he last played for in 2008, prior to two seasons with the Brumbies.

The 71-Test veteran led the Wallabies for three years before he was sensationally replaced by James Horwill just three weeks out from the World Cup.

But the 28 year-old blindside flanker would not be drawn on suggestions his new appointment would help temper his disappointment from losing the Wallabies arm band.

"My disappointment with the Wallabies was because we wanted to win the World Cup and we didn't win it, that's where my disappointment is," Elsom said.

"Everything in between is a lesser detail and I think these are two very separate issues."

Elsom, though, hoped he could take the lessons learned from the Wallabies job into his new gig.

"I think you always learn, having that kind of experience changes your perspective on some things and hopefully for the better," he said.

Elsom's participation in the opening rounds of the Super Rugby season, starting February 24, remains in heavy doubt due to a troublesome hamstring injury but Waratahs coach Michael Foley is hopeful he will be back on the park by week five.

Elsom would not be drawn on the progress of his recovery but is optimistic about the Waratahs' prospects in 2012.

The Waratahs are favourites to take out the Australian conference, ahead of reigning champion Queensland, and Elsom sees plenty of potential from a distance last season as the Waratahs fell to the Blues in the finals.

"There's high expectations and that's fine," he said.

"I do think last year they did especially well.

"If you look at the way they finished the season and the team they took over to Auckland, they gave that game a reasonable shake. I wouldn't be too down on how they went."

Elsom says his priority as captain will be "getting everyone aligned."

"The main thing is to get everyone on the same page because it doesn't matter how bad the plan is, as long as everybody's doing it, we'll be OK," he said.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000

First posted January 31, 2012 13:29:36

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Rebels trounced by Chiefs in Geelong

Updated February 03, 2012 21:53:18

Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale showed flashes of brilliance in an otherwise lacklustre performance by Melbourne Rebels in their first Super Rugby trial against the Chiefs in Geelong.

The Chiefs cruised to a six-try 36-0 romp at Kardinia Park, building on a 17-0 half-time lead with the match played over four 20-minute quarters.

With Beale and his Wallabies team-mate James O'Connor joining the Rebels this season, big things were expected of the Melbourne franchise, who finished with the wooden spoon in their debut season in 2011.

But they failed to deliver in front of the crowd of approximately 3,000.

They started well and controlled possession for the first 10 minutes of the match but were unable to convert that pressure into points.

That was something the Chiefs, who finished 10th in the competition last year - bottom of the New Zealand conference - had little trouble with in a solid performance.

Number eight Alex Bradley crossed for two first-half tries with his forward pack driving him across the line on both occasions.

Beale and O'Connor came on in the second quarter, with the full-back only playing limited time as he manages his workload after returning from a hamstring injury picked up at last year's World Cup.

During that period the 23-year-old made two breaks and combined well with Mark Gerrard, however the Rebels were still unable to break through for that elusive try.

O'Connor scrambled well to stop a likely Chiefs try in the second quarter and defended well but otherwise failed to shine with his team starved of quality ball.

Both sides were let down by some poor handling, which is expected at this time of the season, but the lack of combinations in the Rebels outfit was more exposed.

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, geelong-3220, melbourne-3000

First posted February 03, 2012 21:30:53

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Wales edges Ireland in Six Nations classic

Updated February 06, 2012 07:52:50

Leigh Halfpenny's last-minute penalty gave Wales a 23-21 win over Ireland in an enthralling Six Nations see-saw battle as the hosts failed to avenge last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat.

Wales, missing several first-team players, was well on top in the early exchanges of its championship opener.

Ryan Jones was denied a try by the video referee before Jonathan Davies was adjudged to have got the ball down after a superb off-load by Rhys Priestland, who struck the post with the conversion and a penalty.

Ireland, without the injured Brian O'Driscoll, hit back with a Rory Best try after a great Tommy Bowe dummy just before half-time only for Davies to grab his second after the break as Wales led.

Bowe put the Irish clear with his own try on 68 minutes but George North went over for Wales late on to move within a point.

Stephen Ferris then joined Bradley Davies in the sin bin as both were punished for dangerous tackles and Halfpenny slotted the penalty through the posts for a dramatic victory.

"That was the hardest kick I've had to kick in my life," Halfpenny told the BBC.

Ferris's offence was an arguable yellow card while Wales' Davies could easily have seen red for his spear tackle.

"We obviously put ourselves in a great position to win it," Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said.

"There was a bit of work left to be done and we didn't do it."

Wales missed two of three conversion attempts and two of four penalties.

"We got out of jail and won our first game away from home," said coach Warren Gatland, who acknowledged Davies could have been sent off.

"We have to see if we can get that confidence and self belief and be accurate and do the simple things well...I think we can do really well in this championship," he added.

"When we get it right we are going to be good."

Wales faces Scotland in Cardiff next weekend before travelling to Twickenham for a possible triple crown showdown with England.

"We have to improve a bit by next week. We don't think we were anywhere near the best we could have played," Wales captain Sam Warburton, who was taken off at half-time with a dead leg, told reporters.

"The next two games we have are a real test for us."

Ireland, which had hoped to avenge its dismantling by Wales in New Zealand in October, was left to pick up the pieces after the national team again failed to match the dominance its provincial teams have shown in Europe.

"We conceded a lot of momentum in the first half and gave them a lot of belief. We probably didn't defend with our heads up," added O'Connell, whose Munster team is one of three Irish sides in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

"You can't give a team that kind of time with ball in hand, it puts you under a lot of pressure."

After a disappointing World Cup, Ireland is running out of opportunities for silverware before the expected retirement of their 'Golden Generation' of players - fly half Ronan O'Gara, second row O'Connell and centre Brian O'Driscoll -- in the coming years.

Coach Declan Kidney, who picked Jonathan Sexton ahead of O'Gara, vowed to bounce back against France in Paris next Saturday and challenge for the championship.

"I think we're a lot better than that," Kidney said. "We have buckets to work on and six days to do it.

"There is a championship still to be won and that's what we'll work towards," he said.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, wales, united-kingdom, ireland

First posted February 06, 2012 07:16:20

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England beat Scotland, France down Italy in Six Nations

Updated February 05, 2012 08:42:52

England made a winning start under new acting coach Stuart Lancaster defeating Scotland 13-6, while France eased to a 30-12 win over Italy in its Six Nations opener.

England's first victory at Murrayfield since 2004 saw a side featuring three debutants and a new captain in Chris Robshaw score the only try of the match when recalled fly-half Charlie Hodgson charged down rival stand-off Dan Parks's attempted clearance kick early in the second half.

Owen Farrell, the 20-year-old Saracens centre, kicked the remainder of England's points on his Test debut, with both of Scotland's scores coming courtesy of two first half Parks penalties.

Scotland threatened from deep and had their chances but a side coached by former England flanker and boss Andy Robinson were undone by a series of handling errors.

"To get your first win away on the road is special, especially with a lot of new players," Robshaw, winning just his second cap, told the BBC.

"I can't speak highly enough of all the guys, it was a great team effort and a very proud day," the Harlequins flanker added.

Meanwhile Hodgson, one of five players from English Premiership champions Saracens in the England side, said: "One of the things we work on at Saracens is putting pressure on kickers and I got lucky with the try."

This was Scotland's fourth successive Test without a try and Robinson said: "It's very frustrating. We created some great opportunities and it's just that last pass. The game is about small margins and you have to be able to execute under pressure."

Scotland led 6-3 at half-time but within seconds of the restart, England caught Scotland cold with a try from Hodgson, making his first Test start for four years in the absence of retired England great Jonny Wilkinson and the unfit Toby Flood.

Farrell kicked the tricky conversion from out on the left between the posts and England were 10-6 in front.

Hodgson's try was the first by either side in a Murrayfield Calcutta Cup clash since 2004.

Scotland's best chance to retake the lead came when replacement Greig Laidlaw, chipped over the top of the England defence in the 63rd minute was involved in a race for the touchdown with visiting scrum-half Ben Youngs.

But Welsh replay official Nigel Whitehouse, after several minutes' study, denied Scotland a try to the audible disappointment of a capacity crowd.

With six minutes remaining Farrell, son of assistant coach Andy, converted an easy penalty leaving Scotland needing to score a converted try just to draw level - a task that proved beyond them.

The defence-driven pragmatism that saw France reach the World Cup final resurfaced in their opening Six Nations victory over Italy on Saturday.

Led magnificently by captain Thierry Dusautoir and indefatigable No 8 Louis Picamoles, France offered up stout defence without ever straying offside, content to play the waiting game as the Italians slowly unravelled.

When the Italians infringed, the unerring boot of Dimitri Yachvili was on call to keep the scoreboard ticking along for the home side.

Tries were also scored by Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Malzieu, Vincent Clerc and impressive debutant Wesley Fofana, as Italy failed to convert their early domination of territory and possession into points.

"It's a first victory. You have to have a smile," said coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who was installed after Marc Lievremont was stripped of the job following the World Cup, where the French lost 8-7 to New Zealand in the final.

"As a coach, you seek perfection but today you saw a great defence, a good discipline and we even scored four tries.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, united-kingdom, france

First posted February 05, 2012 07:21:13

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Reds hungry to avenge Tahs rout

Updated February 01, 2012 17:59:21

The Queensland Reds are wary about a Waratahs uprising but the Super Rugby champions will kick off their title defence further motivated to make New South Wales pay for their 2011 "embarrassment".

The Reds lost only three matches in their 15-victory charge to last season's Super trophy but the record round two 30-6 hammering at the Olympic stadium still stings.

The traditional rivals meet at Homebush again on February 25 and Queensland has not forgotten the painful four-try lesson which sent the franchise back to the drawing board.

"We were very poor that night and it was a bit embarrassing," coach Ewen McKenzie said.

"That was our worst performance of the year and now we've got the challenge to go back there and do something about that."

As a former Waratahs coach, McKenzie knows it will not be easy.

He likes what he sees in the 2012 New South Wales squad which bookmakers have already installed as favourite for the season opener.

McKenzie lauded former Wallabies front-row team-mate Michael Foley as a meticulous planner as head coach, and new assistant Alan Gaffney, his first Randwick mentor, as a canny attack guru.

That is on top of a Wallabies-laden forward pack and a backline that features Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and new half-back recruit Sarel Pretorius.

"There's a bit to worry about for us," he said.

"They'll have a good set piece and they'll have a good set play off that and good moves and good players to execute."

While retired former skipper Phil Waugh must be replaced, McKenzie noted Melbourne Rebels signing Kurtley Beale and France-based Luke Burgess were New South Wales' two "key" losses, and their absence could well force a change of style.

"It was only two guys but they had a lot to do with their performances so how they replace them will be interesting," he said.

The nippy Pretorius is renowned for his flair and spontaneous attacking ability but does not possess the tough defence around the ruck that was a feature of Wallabies half Burgess's game.

"Luke Burgess gave them that sort of X-factor and starch and that's why the Waratahs were one of the best defensive teams last year," McKenzie said.

"It will be interesting to see how that comes together."

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 01, 2012 17:59:21

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Force winger out for the year

Updated February 02, 2012 17:42:47

The Super Rugby season of Western Force recruit Jordan Rapana is over before it even started after the former NRL speedster suffered a serious shoulder injury at training.

Rapana was forced to undergo a full shoulder reconstruction after injuring the joint during tackling drills last week.

The 22-year-old's season-ending injury is another untimely blow to the Force, who are still in the process of finding a replacement for Willie Ripia after the five-eighth quit the club amidst theft allegations last month.

Rapana, who played with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL before embarking on a two-year Mormon mission, is contracted to the Force until the end of 2013.

Meanwhile, new Western Force skipper David Pocock and his predecessor Nathan Sharpe will be notable absentees for Saturday night's trial clash with Super Rugby rivals the Brumbies in Darwin.

Pocock has been rested after enduring a hectic 2011 campaign, while Sharpe is nursing a minor calf complaint.

Fellow Wallaby Richard Brown has also been ruled out as he recovers from a serious shoulder injury.

Fijian international Napolioni Nalaga will suit up for his first match for the Force, while Wallabies prop Salesi Ma'afu will front up against his former Brumbies team-mates for the first time.

And talented scrumhalf Justin Turner will make his return to competitive rugby after recovering from consecutive knee reconstructions.

In the absence of Pocock and Sharpe, lock Sam Wykes will captain the Force.

With the Force and Brumbies to meet in round one of the season proper, coach Richard Graham predicted both sides would be careful not to reveal too much during the trial.

"It would be nice to win but it's certainly not the be all and end all at this time of year," he said.

"It's about finding out about people, where we are as a group mentally and physically under stress."

Graham said he expected to announce a replacement for Ripia soon.

But it may not be a like-for-like replacement, with the coach confident playmakers James Stannard and Ben Seymour could do the job at number 10.

"At this stage it's about bringing in the best quality I can find," Graham said.

Squad: Forwards: Jake Ball, Phoenix Battye, Nathan Charles, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Matthew Hodgson, Ryan Hodson, Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Ben McCalman, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes (capt)

Backs: Chance Bunce, Cam Crowley, Nick Cummins, Alfie Mafi, Napolioni Nalaga, JP Pretorious, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Rory Sidey, Winston Stanley, James Stannard, Justin Turner, Samu Wara

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted February 02, 2012 17:42:47

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Super refs to take leaf out of NRL book

Updated February 02, 2012 17:04:24

Super Rugby referees will effectively have the power to put players on report rugby league-style among a host of new disciplinary actions being trialed this season.

Governing body SANZAR will trial major alterations to the judicial process which could lead to sweeping rule changes to the code internationally.

The International Rugby Board has approved the trial and the experimental moves will form a key part to the IRB's own full review of disciplinary regulations.

Super Rugby kicks off on February 24 with referees holding the power to refer acts of foul play to a citing commissioner, rather than issue a red card, when they are unsure of the severity of the offence or the culprit's identity.

Like in the National Rugby League, whistleblowers can also refer on-field complaints from opponents for unseen incidents to the citing commissioner.

To ensure teams aren't harshly punished for dubious calls or debatable send-offs, referees will have the power to issue a yellow card and also refer the incident for a post-match review.

Citing commissioners can also issue a post-match yellow card for acts of foul play that they feel almost warrant suspension.

Other changes include the appointment of duty judicial officers who can determine punishments and reduce the need for full judicial hearings, which will now be held by videoconference or teleconference.

The changes follow a working group meeting between Australian, South African and New Zealand representatives last September which conducted a "clean sheet" review of the SANZAR judicial process.

SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said the review's objectives were to provide a fair, consistent and simple system to reduce the need for full hearings and consequently save money.

"SANZAR has long held the view that the disciplinary process could be enhanced to provide for a more consistent and simplified outcome," he said.

"We believe that these changes are an important step in the right direction".

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, australia, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted February 02, 2012 17:04:24

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Rookie to lead England in Six Nations

Updated January 31, 2012 07:03:33

Flanker Chris Robshaw will captain England in their opening Six Nations match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday in his second international appearance, the RFU said on Monday.

The Harlequins flanker, who made his only England appearance against Argentina in 2009, was preferred to hooker Dylan Hartley after Tom Wood - initial favourite for the job - was ruled out of the first two matches of the tournament with a foot injury.

Robshaw takes over from Lewis Moody, who retired from international rugby following last year's World Cup.

The 25-year-old Harlequins skipper has captained England in non-cap matches and also led the second-string Saxons side.

"It's a huge honour and a very proud day - hopefully one that will live in my memory for a long time to come. Thanks to everyone who has helped me, especially Quins," Robshaw said in a statement.

"There's lots of other leaders in the group and they have been great since we met up. It's not about myself because there are six or seven guys around me who all have a massive role to play, whether that's bossing scrums, line-outs, attack, defence.

Caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster, accompanied by Wood at the official Six Nations launch last week attended by all coaches and captains, said at the time he did not consider the appointment as pivotal but hailed Robshaw on Monday.

"We have a strong leadership group and I have been very impressed with the way they have all stepped up so far," Lancaster said.

"Chris is a key member of that group and has shown with Harlequins and when I have worked with him in the Saxons that he can lead a team tactically and passionately.

"I am delighted that he has got this chance at the highest level and I know it will be a very proud moment for him, his club, family and friends when he leads England out at Murrayfield on Saturday."

Lancaster, who has replaced Martin Johnson for the duration of the Six Nations, will name his team on Thursday.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, united-kingdom

First posted January 30, 2012 23:53:31

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Pocock blazes back row captaincy trail

Updated January 31, 2012 09:44:06

Back-row skippers are the flavour of the month in Super Rugby with David Pocock's Western Force ascension kicking off three captaincy appointments.

While world-class ball scavenger Pocock succeeded veteran Force lock Nathan Sharpe on Monday, the NSW Waratahs are set to name fellow Wallabies flanker Rocky Elsom as their captain on Tuesday.

And Brumbies coach Jake White is expected to follow suit in a fortnight with No.8 recruit Ben Mowen to be made a leader of the new-look ACT squad.

White has opted against naming a captain for the Brumbies' opening two trials against the Force (February 4) and Queensland (February 11).

He is set to reveal an extended leadership group for the trials this week with Mowen among a list that includes Wallabies frontrowers Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander.

World Cup hooker Moore, 29, was seen as the likely replacement for Matt Giteau last year but former Springboks coach White is looking to start afresh with Mowen.

The surprise move would complete a bizarre swap between the Brumbies and Waratahs as Mowen, 27, left NSW last season when new coach Michael Foley swooped to sign Elsom from the Brumbies.

Dumped as Wallabies skipper just three weeks before last year's World Cup, Elsom's impending appointment has also raised eye brows as he will be sidelined for the first month of the competition.

But there were no surprises with Pocock's ascension in Perth on Monday with coach Richard Graham admitting it was 12 months in the making.

Foundation captain and 101-Test stalwart Sharpe is yet to decide upon his future beyond this season but the 40-Test Pocock has long been seen as the Force's long-term leader.

The appointment will also help keep the off-contract open-side flanker and 2010 John Eales Medallist in the west following the Force's disappointing 2011 which featured just five wins.

"I'm very excited about it," Pocock said. "It's a huge challenge.

"Following on from someone like Nathan Sharpe who's served the team so well and has a distinct brand of leadership - I've learnt a lot from him.

"And the great thing for me is he'll still be there and I'll be able to bounce ideas off him. He'll definitely play a big part in the team."

Force coach Richard Graham opted against naming a vice-captain and will not risk Pocock and Sharpe against the Brumbies in Darwin on Saturday night.

But he was certain his players would be inspired to follow the lead of Pocock, the Young Australian of 2012 for his for his work in establishing the charity organisation Eighty-Twenty Vision, which helps disadvantaged communities in his native Zimbabwe.

"If you're ever going to demand things from people around you in sport, you actually need to be able to set a really high standard and keep them accountable, and he does that," Graham said.

"I think the work he does off the field shows how selfless he is as a character, and in serving the team that will be very important."

AAP

Tags: super-14, rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia, nsw, canberra-2600, act

First posted January 31, 2012 09:31:23

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UC-Brumbies deal 'reached in secret'

Updated February 01, 2012 13:21:46

University of Canberra (UC) vice-chancellor Stephen Parker has been accused of secrecy over a sponsorship deal with the Brumbies.

The university has secured the naming rights for Canberra's Super 15 rugby side for one season.

The Brumbies had been searching for a major sponsor since the end of last year.

A deal with a Chinese telephone company fell through last month, opening the door for UC to become the team's major backer.

The deal aims to strengthen ties between the two organisations, with the university seeking to lift its profile as a sporting university along the lines of the north American college system model.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan says the deal offers more than traditional sponsorship.

"There's a whole range of opportunities around tapping into the university's academic and clinical expertise," he said.

"We intend to have a range of internship and scholarship programs both in our organisation for UC students, and similarly for elite athletes who might be coming to Canberra to study with UC."

The university wants to become the number one university for sports studies.

"We're hoping that we can expand our course work areas that have a real relationship with sport," Professor Parker said.

"We have a national institute of sport studies, we have three full professors of sport now."

But Stephen Darwin from the National Tertiary Education Industry Union says there was little consultation with UC staff.

He says it is unacceptable Professor Parker will not disclose how much the deal will cost.

"And whether they are indeed public funds that are coming from teaching and learning. Coming at a time when the university is considering closing important programs such as the Japanese language program and the journalism program," he said.

Mr Darwin says the deal fails to clarify the benefits for the university.

"There are a lot of aspirations but not a lot of detail," he said.

"For the amount of money that the university's talking about investing here, it is not clear that it is a good return on investment until the public is able to see that the university's money is being used effectively.

"The whole deal has been reached in secret. We're not even clear it's been to the University of Canberra Council."

But Professor Parker says no resources are being moved from any academic activity in the university.

Tags: rugby-union, university-and-further-education, university-of-canberra-2617, act, canberra-2600

First posted February 01, 2012 11:11:49

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Tri Nations Rugby - Team Profiles

Brumbies easily account for Force

Updated February 04, 2012 23:40:08

Brumbies coach Jake White has enjoyed a dream start with his new Super Rugby side after they cruised to a 25-0 trial victory over Western Force at Rugby Park in Darwin.

In what was the first trial match of the year for both teams, the wet and windy conditions contributed to an error-riddled performance.

The Brumbies were first on the scoreboard when lock Ben Hand breached the Force's defence to touch down late in the first quarter.

The Brumbies' second try came after the Canberra-based side strung together seven phases before inside centre Christian Lealiifano crossed, while fly half Zack Holmes booted three first-half penalties to extend the lead.

The Force showed more composure in the third quarter, however the Brumbies defence held firm despite being restricted to 14 men when flanker Peter Kimlin was sent to the sin-bin for a late shoulder charge.

Workhorse Brumbies prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa was prominent for the Brumbies before taking a heavy knock and coming off the field after 30 minutes, while Nic White slotted two second-half penalties to complete the emphatic win.

"The Brumbies haven't won for a while ... it doesn't matter if it's a trial game, doesn't matter if people think it's meaningless, all those little wins, all those little bonuses help you move forward," White said.

"The bottom line is to have two teams playing, one team scored 14 points and doesn't concede any and one team scores 11 points and doesn't concede any what more does a coach want?

"The Force are always going to be a good side obviously there were a lot of things we let slip in the beginning but I thought the enthusiasm and energy was good."

Western Force coach Richard Graham says his team lacked the physicality that the Brumbies brought to the encounter.

"They defended well and worked the tackle," he said.

"You could see a strong South African influence - their forwards were very direct, very aggressive."

The Force spurned the opportunity to take penalty goals, instead preferring to give their scrum a chance to show their skills.

"The result was not necessarily important to us - we want to win, but the whole reason we came here was to play as much rugby as we possibly could," Graham said.

"[We wanted to] put our set piece under pressure and then see how we attack and defend off the back of it.

"I was very happy with our young back row."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-14, darwin-0800, perth-6000, canberra-2600

First posted February 04, 2012 23:40:08

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