Cooper not ruled out of Wallabies squad
Sharks need to match hunger of Stormers
A two- day ‘‘ logistical gathering’’ of Wallabies preparing for the Lions tour will begin tomorrow in Sydney without five- eighths Quade Cooper, a situation that Australia coach Robbie Deans said does not rule Cooper out from competing in the three- test series.
The Australian Rugby Union said yesterday that New South Wales recruit Israel Folau, a former league international who also previously played Australian Rules football, would be among the 30 players, including seven who have never played internationally for Australia.
In December, Cooper ended a sixmonth standoff with the ARU by signing a two- year deal reportedly worth $ 800,000 a season.
It followed Cooper’s criticism of the Wallabies and Deans, including a reference to a ‘‘ toxic environment’’
by Mike Greenaway The return Super Rugby match between the Stormers and the Sharks at Newlands tomorrow is a tough one to call.
The problem with this fixture is that both sides have an injury toll edging into double figures and so it is difficult to evaluate just how good each team is, because they are not at full strength.
The key to this match lies with the cerebral and mental rather than the physical. The Stormers will feel that they have to win while the Sharks are not as desperate and would certainly like the points but do not have a gun to their heads.
That is the challenge for the Sharks . . . can they match the hunger of the Stormers? The Stormers have lost four of their six matches to date and their last two, which were big games against the Crusaders and Cheetahs and both were lost by the narrowest of around the team. Cooper was fined $ 40,000 for his remarks.
Cooper, who will play a Super 15 match today for the Queensland Reds against the Chiefs in Hamilton, denied any continuing rift with Deans and said he was not concerned with his omission from the camp.
‘‘ It’s no big issue really because we have a big season ahead of us,’’ Cooper said earlier this week. ‘‘ The major issue is turning up in Waikato and having a good game. People are going to look at players differently. It’s not the first or the last time you’re going to miss out on a side.’’
Deans said yesterday the gathering, which ends Monday, would allow the players to complete the team’s pre- Lions commercial obligations, with some rugby- related planning scheduled.
Without referring to Cooper speci- margins. They are at home and next week have a bye before heading off on tour. They can afford to throw the kitchen sink at this one and as far as making the top six ( and the play- offs) is concerned they are pretty much in the Last Chance Saloon.
Do the Sharks need the win as much? If you look at the overall log the answer is no, but that is not what the coaching staff will be telling the players. The Sharks are top of the SA Conference and third overall, are playing an away match and still have a home match next week ( against the Cheetahs) before they go on tour.
They could afford to drop this one, beat the Cheetahs and then see how many points they could harvest in four matches overseas.
Of course, coach John Plumtree sees it very differently. His viewpoint is that the Sharks have two matches in South Africa before they tour and they have to bank as many log points as possible before away matches to fically, he said exclusion from the selection ‘‘ did not’’ rule players out of participation in the Lions test series.
He said a ‘‘ wide net’’ had been spread through the three logistics camps held, with 50 players in attendance in January and 30 at the second two- day assembly in February.
The first group of 25 players who will go into the Wallabies camp ahead of the Lions tour on June 3 will be announced on May 19, the ARU said yesterday.
The Wallabies will be in camp on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane before moving to the Queensland state capital for the opening game of the series on June 22.
The second test is scheduled for June 29 in Melbourne and the third July 6 in Sydney. It is the Lions’ first tour of Australia since 2001. the Chiefs, Highlanders, Reds and Force. And with the Cheetahs on a roll and the Stormers desperate, there are no ‘‘ gimmees’’ for the Sharks before they fly out a week on Sunday.
Again, it comes down to whether the Sharks can match the mental space that the Stormers will be in. It is hard to predict how well the Stormers will play with 13 players out, including two first choice five- eighths in Elton Jantjies and Peter Grant, but it is certain that they will try to move heaven and earth to get the victory.
This week, Plumtree acknowledged that this is precisely what the game will come down to. ‘‘ We have a good team with some good leaders, and so have the Stormers, so it’s about the side that puts it all together on the day, maybe takes their opportunities or defends better, or manages to get their set piece to operate better. It will be all about attitude, the team that has 15 players pulling 100 per cent in the right direction.’’
The Sharks are yet to put in a complete performance this year. They have been good for 40- minute periods in various games but have not played well in both the first and second halves of any game, apart from the rout of the Rebels at Kings Park. It has been one half or the other.
‘‘ I’m happy in some areas that we are building towards that 80- minute performance, and we’re working hard on the rest,’’ Plumtree said. ‘‘ We’ve shown bits and pieces on attack but we haven’t shown enough. Defensively we’ve been pretty good at times and our set- piece is operating well. We’re winning close games and only lost one game despite heaps of injury problems. We’re battling away. That’s what I want this team to keep doing. When times are tough it’s all about digging deep and working hard for each other, and that is what is going to be required if we are to have a good chance of beating the Stormers.’’
Athletics
Today, Southland Centennial Shield Relays, Lovelock Track , Sandringham 12.30pm.
Badminton
Today/ tomorrow, Sky City NZ Open ( continues), North Shore Events Centre, from noon.
Basketball
iiNet Australian NBL, finals game three ( if needed), NZ Breakers v Perth Wildcats, Vector Arena 7.30pm.
Croquet
Today/ tomorrow, Auckland singles, men/ women and mixed doubles, ( continue), Orewa CC.
Golf
Today/ tomorrow, Charles Tour, Taranaki Energy Open ( continues), New Plymouth GC.
Hockey
Women’s four- nations, in Whangarei, today, Korea v Argentina 1pm, New Zealand v United States 3pm; tomorrow, 3rd v 4th 1pm, 1st v 2nd 3.30pm. In Hamilton, Wednesday, Korea v United States 5pm, New Zealand v Argentina 7pm; Thursday, Argentina v Korea 5pm, New Zealand v United States 7pm. Auckland club, Lloyd Elsmore Park unless stated, premier men, Southern v Roskill 3.30pm, AISC v University 5pm, Howick Pakuranga v Somerville, AGS 2pm, Mt Eden v Western, Avondale 5pm. Premier women, Southern v Roskill Eden 5pm, Grammar Windsor v Slam 3.30pm, Howick Pakuranga v Somerville, AGS 12.30pm, Mt Eden v Western, Avondale 3.30pm.
League
Today ( all games 2.30pm, home team first), Fox Memorial, round three, Marist v Mt Albert, Mangere East v Pt Chevalier, Glenora v Otahuhu,
Catch this
The Big Bangers back at their spiritual home for two days of wheel- to- wheel action. The traditional season- opener for the hearty harriers, international women’s hockey in Whangarei and the Tron, a feast of club sport and speedboat thrills at Mangere Bridge. Papakura v Northcote, Bay Roskill v Howick. Sharman Cup, Manurewa v New Lynn, East Coast Bays v Ellerslie, Te Atatu v Papatoetoe, Richmond v Manukau, Otara v Waitemata.
Motorsport
Today/ tomorrow, Australian V8 Supercars, ITM 400, Pukekohe Park, today, qualifying 9.35am/ 10am; top 10 shootout 11am; race six 1.10pm; race seven 3.55pm. Tomorrow, qualifying 10.05am/ 10.30am; race eight 1.10pm; race nine 3.55pm.
Netball
ANZ Championship, tomorrow, Central Pulse v Southern Steel, Arena Manawatu 7.40pm. Monday, Canterbury Tactix v Northern Mystics, CBS Canterbury Arena 7.40pm.
Power boats
Today/ tomorrow, North Island J