Lions unveil coaching line-up

Updated December 12, 2012 23:35:32

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland on Wednesday named a trio of assistants - Rob Howley, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree - for next year's tour to Australia.

England forwards specialist Rowntree and backs coach Howley of Wales were part of the 2009 Lions coaching team in South Africa. England's ex-rugby league star Farrell will tour with the Lions for the first time.

There is no place, at present, for Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards.

Howley worked as Wales' interim head coach for their opening autumn Tests against Argentina and Samoa last month, and he will resume that job for this season's Six Nations tournament while Wales chief Gatland concentrates on the Lions.

Howley (1997 and 2001) and Rowntree (2005) both toured with the Lions as players.

"I am delighted with today's appointments and confident that Rob, Graham, Andy and myself can come together quickly to face one of the hardest rugby challenges," Gatland said.

"Lions tours are unique as we have to mould together players from four countries in an incredibly short space of time.

"We have no illusion as to the hard work required but we have spoken of the challenges and truly believe that as a coaching team we can provide the players with the support and environment needed for victory in Australia.

"We will also discuss over the coming weeks the requirement for any further technical assistance."

Lions manager Andy Irvine added: "Today is an exciting day and the next chapter in the 2013 tour story. The selection of the coaching staff is significant, this experienced trio have proven track records and we are delighted to have them on board.

"Importantly I believe we now have in the tour management team, in the areas of coaching, logistics, media, performance analysis and medical, continuity from previous tours, especially 2009.

"This is important as they all understand the challenges that lie ahead and the experience gained in South Africa will be essential as we head to Australia next year."

Also confirmed was the appointment of Dr James Robson as leader of the tour medical team. Robson has been the Scotland team doctor since 2002 and next summer's tour will be his sixth with the Lions.

The Lions 2013 tour begins against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1, with the first of three Tests against Australia taking place in Brisbane on June 22.

The Lions have not won a Test series since they toured South Africa in 1997.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, united-kingdom

First posted December 12, 2012 23:35:32

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Wallabies name unchanged line-up

Updated June 12, 2012 15:41:56

Australia has named an unchanged team for this weekend's second test against Wales in Melbourne on Saturday, despite concerns over the fitness of tighthead prop Sekope Kepu.

Kepu strained a tendon in his forearm during the 27-19 victory over the Six Nations champions in the opening match of the three-match series in Brisbane last weekend but has been named in the starting line-up, subject to a fitness test.

"We are hopeful that 'Keps' will be good to go, but we do have a contingency plan in place if we need it," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.

"There are five props in the group we have with us in Melbourne so we saw no need in bringing anyone extra in."

Ben Alexander, who can play on both sides of the front row and is named as a replacement, is most likely to step into the breach should Kepu prove unable to play at Docklands on Saturday night.

Berrick Barnes retains the number 10 shirt after a much-improved performance against the Welsh than he showed in last Tuesday's shock 9-6 defeat to Scotland in Newcastle.

Kurtley Beale, who along with fellow fly half options Quade Cooper and James O'Connor missed last week's matches through injury, has not sufficently recovered from his shoulder problem to be considered for selection for Saturday's second test.

Although pleased with his side's improved performance at Lang Park, Deans said the victory would not have dented Welsh confidence that they can win a test in Australia for the first time since 1969.

"That belief won't have been altered by last Saturday night," Deans says.

"If anything, that game - and more particularly the opportunities that they were able to create within in it - will only have hardened their resolve."

Wallabies squad:

Adam Ashley-Cooper, Cooper Vuna, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia,Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polata Nau, Benn Robinson

Reserves:

Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, wales

First posted June 12, 2012 11:08:15

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Brumbies change line-up to meet Rebels

Updated May 31, 2012 16:03:31

Brumbies coach Jake White has made three changes to his starting XV to face Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Lock Sam Carter and tighthead prop Dan Palmer have been rested, with Leon Power named to start in the second row and Ruaidhri Murphy moving into the front row at loosehead with Ben Alexander shifting to the right side of the scrum.

Robbie Coleman has been included at full-back with Jesse Mogg moving to the wing to replace Henry Speight, who has been named on the reserves bench.

Number eight Fotu Auelua and prop Scott Sio have also been included amongst the reserves, as has outstanding back row talent Colby Faingaa, who will make his first appearance for the Brumbies after recovering from an ankle injury.

The Brumbies lead the Australian conference standings on 45 points, their lead cut to five points after going down to Queensland 13-12 in Canberra last Saturday night.

Brumbies squad:

Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg, Andrew Smith Pat McCabe Joe Tomane Zack Holmes Nic White Ben Mowen (c) Michael Hooper Peter Kimlin Leon Power Scott Fardy Ben Alexander Stephen Moore Ruaidhri Murphy

Reserves: Anthony Hegarty, Scott Sio, Fotu Auelua, Colby Faingaa, Ian Prior, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, melbourne-3000

First posted May 31, 2012 16:03:31

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Reds' line-up unchanged for final

Published:Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:25 AESTExpires:Wednesday, October 5, 2011 7:25 AEST

There will be no changes to Queensland's line-up for the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Brisbane.

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Tags: super-14, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

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Reds tweak line-up to face Chiefs

Updated June 17, 2011 13:07:00

Queensland has made two changes to its starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Back row utility Jake Schatz earns his first start of the season at number eight, replacing Radike Samo, who drops to the reserves bench.

Young winger Dom Shipperley also moves into the starting line-up from the bench to replace Luke Morahan, who suffered a hamstring tear in the 24-21 win over Western Force in Perth last Saturday night.

New recruit and former All Black Caleb Ralph has been included on a 4-3 (four forwards, three backs) bench, along with uncapped utility back Dallan Murphy.

The Reds need a win over the Chiefs to confirm top position on the overall standings heading into the finals.

Reds squad: Jono Lance, Rod Davies, Will Chambers, Ben Tapuai, Dom Shipperley, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley

Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Radike Samo, Ian Prior, Dallan Murphy, Caleb Ralph

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, brisbane-4000

First posted June 17, 2011 12:56:00

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