Wednesday Round-Up
- 901
Wednesday Round-Up
Cotter unconcerned by Hardie backlash: Vern Cotter never gave the potential for a public backlash a second thought as he handed New Zealand-born John Hardie a controversial World Cup call-up. The former Highlanders flanker has won a place in Vern Cotter's 31 man squad just five weeks after touching down on Scottish soil for the first time. The 27-year-old - currently without a club - was tipped for an All Blacks slot but, when it became clear that would not happen in time for this year's showpiece, he switched allegiances to Scotland, for whom he qualifies through his Fife-born grandmother. Fans and former players were not best pleased with the selection, citing the fact that inform John Barclay and Blair Cowan left out for Scotland. But Cotter never let national identity get in they way saying, "We looked really at performance and what players could bring to the mix. That's how we looked at it - purely on what we thought we could get on the paddock."
Tomane pushing for selection: Wallabies winger Joe Tomane wants to state his case for selection at the World Cup with a good outing against the USA. Tomane is in contention to start on Saturday in Australia’s final warm-up match before the tournament begins. "I am pushing for selection," Tomane told the Canberra Times. "I see it as an opportunity to showcase my abilities and [to] try and force a hand to pick me for some of the games in the World Cup. But everyone is fighting for spots. The competition is hard, especially in the wing spots [where] we have got some quality players. The good thing is that it is just going to improve the team and that's what we want. I have improved a lot and that is because I have got help from the other wingers here in the squad."
Dan Hayes
