Sunday Snippets

Coaches dismiss advantage: Both Steve Hansen and Michael Cheika were quick to dismiss pundits’ suggestions that their sides had gained the psychological advantage over Wales and England, just 11 months out from the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Hansen, who’s side beat their hosts at Twickenham 24-21, despite losing Dane Coles to the bin, rubbished the claims as ‘baloney’, suggesting that when it comes to World Cup competitions, prior records go out the door. After the All Blacks’ shock 2007 exit at the hands of France in Cardiff, Hansen seems to be taking nothing for granted as his side look to retain their title as World champions. Likewise, the new man at the helm of the Wallabies, Michael Cheika, backed up Hansen’s claims, suggesting that his side’s win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium will bare no impact on next year’s Pool 1 encounter at the World Cup. Despite begin delighted to get the desired result against what he described as a quality team, Cheika rubbished claims of any psychological upper hand now being held by the Wallabies. Wales, England and Australia are all included in Pool 1 of next year’s showpiece event, in what has already been dubbed the tournament’s group of death.

Trouble for Botha: Aviva Premiership outfit the Exeter Chiefs will not be thanking the international break this weekend, after it emerged that fullback Chrysander Botha suffered a broken leg while on international duty with Namibia. Playing in his country’s 17-13 loss at the hands of Canada in Colwyn Bay on Friday, Botha was stretchered off and taken to a local hospital where the extent of the injury was fully confirmed by medical staff on site. The lightening quick fullback looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, after it was revealed that he suffered a dislocated left and ankle and a fractured left leg. Having joined the Exeter Chiefs just this year from South African outfit the Golden Lions, Botha now has his sights set on a recovery in time for next year’s World Cup on English soil.

Ryan Sheady