Thursday Round-Up
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Thursday Round-Up
Sipper to captain Wallabies: Loosehead prop James Slipper will become the 83rd player to captain the Wallabies in a Test in Saturday’s historic clash with the USA Eagles at Soldier Field, Chicago. Slipper will take over the reins from Stephen Moore who has been rested alongside several Wallabies players including vice-captains Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper. “I am extremely humbled to be given this opportunity to captain the team on Saturday night at Soldier Field," said Slipper. "There is no greater honour for a player than to lead his country and I am excited to be able to do it with this incredible group of players."
Thompson banned for 2 weeks: Samoa lock Kane Thompson has been banned for two weeks for his punch against the Barbarians, ruling him out of their World Cup opener. Thompson will miss the opening clash against the USA after he was sent off in Saturday's defeat to the Baabaas at the Olympic Stadium. The veteran second row was spotted punching Saia Faingaa by the TMO, and pleaded guilty to the offence and has been suspended by independent judicial officer Simon Thomas (Wales) at a hearing in London. The Judaical officer determined that the player was not entitled to a reduction for mitigation due to a similar previous striking incident in December 2014 which led to a one-week suspension.
