Quade Cooper wants to shoehorn a professional boxing fight in before his rugby return from his Achilles rupture.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Cooper believes he can incorporate a fourth pro bout into his recovery from the injury suffered against Argentina, as he bids to make it back for next year’s World Cup.
Cooper talked this week as his friend Sonny Bill Williams announced he would fight Mark Hunt on November 5.
“I would have loved to be on this card, but obviously it’s not meant to be with the injury,” Cooper told the Herald.
“But I am sure after this fight [Williams] ill have another fight not too long after it, and it may work well with the recovery process.
“I will definitely be doing a lot of boxing as part of the rehab process coming back from an Achilles, just to get that bounce back. I know that’s going to play a big part with the skipping and stuff like that. It will be a conversation to be had with the powers that be over the next few months.”
(Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
Northern hopes for WC glory ‘exciting’
England World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio believes the gap with the southern hemisphere has never been tighter and that a European nation can win the World Cup for only the second time next year.
Dallaglio’s 2003 team is the only northern hemisphere winner of the event.
Ireland’s win in New Zealand, England’s in Australia and France’s Grand Slam make them all contenders.
“It’s hard to win the World Cup, especially away from home,” former England captain Dallaglio told the PA news agency.
“I thought that England would have done it again by now.
“There have been nine World Cups and eight of them have been won by the southern hemisphere, so either they’re just better than us or we shoot ourselves in the foot a little bit. It’s probably a mixture of the two.
“But having said that, at no point since 1987 when New Zealand won the first one have the southern hemisphere been as close as they are now.
“France, Ireland and possibly England have got as good a chance as they’ve had in any previous year. If you get your run right, you can win a World Cup. They’ve all got a chance and it’s exciting.”
Japan staged a uniquely brilliant World Cup three years ago and while Dallaglio is backing France to also be a success, he insists their national side may struggle beneath the weight of expectation.
“I think France will give it a good go of putting the tournament on in their own way,” the England great said.
“But whether the host nation can win a World Cup when all their players are up on billboards around the country … that creates a bit of pressure.
“They wobbled against us in 2007 when they lost the semi-final in their own country. It’s tough and it brings its own pressure, but they seem to have coped pretty well with it so far.”
Reason for French star’s retirement revealed
French centre Virimi Vakatawa has revealed why has been banned form playing by the nation’s medical committee at a press conference attended by a tearful France coach Fabien Galthie.
The Racing 92 player has a heart condition which is considered to make continuing to play too risky.
“I didn’t feel any symptoms or anything,” said Vakatawa.
“I had a discussion with the doctor. I have nothing broken, everything is fine. I’m going to stay not far from here, just to clear my head.
“I arrived at 17, I didn’t regret leaving my family at all. I know it was hard. I always tell young people that they were lucky to be here. There are Fijians who will still arrive, I want to help them. I really appreciated having so many people by my side.”
Racing 92 doctor Sylvain Blanchard said: “He must stop his career in France for cardiological reasons. A cardiac anomaly had been detected before the 2019 World Cup in Japan. This anomaly, which is not linked to rugby, has been monitored but it is an evolving pathology. The risk has become too great.”
Laurent Travers, the Racing director of rugby, added: “The hardest thing is the length of time we had to wait. The hardest part was announcing it to Virimi and then to the whole group. We know his importance within the group, Racing 92 and French rugby.
“Virimi is still there and will now be present on the sidelines. Virimi will have to build himself differently, with rugby but differently. We had a lot of discussions with him and his goal is to stay in France. He wants to be able to stay with Racing 92.”
Galthie turned up in person at the conference to pay tribute to Vakatawa.
“I would like to thank Racing 92 for allowing me to be here today,” said the teary-eyed Test coach.
“I wanted to accompany Virimi, it’s special so I’m very moved. Fate has meant that he will have played his last two games with Les Bleus in Japan. We will try to get over all that because we know that it can happen in high-level sport, but we still take it [the shock retirement] with full force.
“Monday, when he called me, it touched me. Virimi made many children dream. When we took over the France team, he was a key player in our adventure, in our history.
“He is an example of what he lives – we must tell our children to enjoy all their matches as if it were the last.”
Vale Willie Los’e
Former Tonga international turned TV commentator Willie Los’e has died suddenly from a medical event, aged 55.
“We are very sorry to hear that Willie Los’e passed away last night in South Africa. Willie was a long-serving and highly-regarded member of the Sky Sport commentary team and the wider Sky family. Our thoughts and condolences are with Willie’s whānau at this time,” Sky Sport NZ announced.
Los’e’s family confirmed his death in a statement, saying: “The Los’e whānau would like to thank Karl Te Nana, Bailey Mackey and World Rugby boss Steve Jamieson for contacting us directly from South Africa this morning relating to the sudden passing of our brother Willie.
“We ask that as a whānau, we be given time to process and work through our devastating loss and the logistics of repatriation of our brother, father, uncle, son home. We are awaiting details from Cape Town.”
His former teammate Frank Bunce said: ”We played a lot of rugby together, dating back to the late 80s, both in club rugby around Auckland then for Auckland and North Harbour.
“That’s a long time ago, but he’s one of the guys I’ve kept in touch with regularly. There’s a group of us who catch up regularly, and he’s been the real driver behind that. He would get everyone together to have lunch or go to different events.
“That’s the standout thing about him. He cared for people, for his friends and he made sure we all kept in touch.”
Los’e was last seen on Australian TV screens as a commentator for the Pacific Nations Cup featuring Australia A in July.
WR happy with Cup safety prep
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin says he is “confident” about fan safety a year out from the Rugby World Cup in France despite security issues surrounding May’s Champions League football final held in Paris.
The kick-off for the match between Liverpool and Real Madrid in the French capital was delayed as supporters were repelled by teargas fired by local police.
After the game, supporters were attacked by gangs with many reports of muggings and violence.
“There’s always more to learn from experiences of other events,” Gilpin told AFP.
“There’s been a significant amount of dialogue between the organising committee, the authorities in Paris and the government more broadly.
“We’re confident that lessons can be learnt from that and we’re also confident that we have a great security plan, spectator experience plan for the Stade de France.”
Last week, Gilpin’s counterpart at the organising committee, Claude Atcher, was suspended by French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera as a preliminary investigation into his management style found evidence of a deep social malaise within the organisation.
“First of all the allegations around the treatment of staff in Paris, we’ve taken them seriously,” Gilpin said.
“We’ve discussed those with the relevant ministries and with the board of the organising committee.”
“It’s business as usual for us,” he added.
On Wednesday, World Rugby vice-president and French Rugby Federation chief Bernard Laporte went on trial facing charges of favouritism and corruption.
The 58-year-old former France coach is accused of favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsor contract for the national men’s side to a close friend, Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier.
“As you can appreciate it’s not appropriate for World Rugby to comment on what is an ongoing proceeding and also a domestic matter,” Gilpin said.
“We don’t have any comment to make on that.”
The tournament opens with the in-form hosts welcoming three-time winners New Zealand to Paris with the final block of tickets for all games available online in the coming month. Supporters are limited to six spots per user.
Ireland beat the All Blacks in a historic Test series last month, while holders South Africa lost to Wales on home soil for the first time, making the list of contenders to clinch the Webb Ellis trophy a lengthy one.
“It’s wonderful for the sport, it’s going to get fans more excited than ever,” Gilpin said.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been year out from a World Cup and had the depth of competitiveness that we’ve had now.”
In November, the final group stage place is up for grabs with 2031 hosts USA as well as Portugal, Kenya and Hong Kong taking part in a qualifying competition in France.
“The tournament will be hugely competitive,” Gilpin said.
“Portugal go into that competition very well prepared.
“USA were disappointed that they hadn’t qualified to date but there’s a lot of planning with their preparation and Kenya and Hong Kong will be looking to cause an upset.”
“That makes it exciting,” he added.
(With AFP, PA)
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well you are really hung up, on the lighter divisions, as I was only referring to the premier division, the Heavyweight. Your assessment of those mentioned, by you, are slightly out of whack, as starting with Bob Fitzsimmons, he was a NZ citizen when he fought for the title, then David Tua, yep, born in Samoa, but was educated in Aotearoa, & to say he was completely outclassed is rubbish. As it was Lennox Lewis had the reach over him, & used it throughout the fight, keeping Tua at bay, knowing that in Tua's stumpy frame, he had the punch, to do the damage, which never happened. Parker, is another that is very good. So where do you get the idea you lot compare with Aotearoa, in that respect? Your not even in the same race, as all you can come up with is your hang up on lower divisions! Also your so comical, when ignoring the Heavyweight division as not being true!! ffs !
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Browne originated from NSW. Bob Fitzsimmons originated in Cornwall and only spent 10 years of his life in NZ and never fought professionally until after he moved to Australia at the age of 20. Tua originated in Samoa. He never held a world championship belt and only challenged once against Lennox Lewis in which he was completely outclassed in what was considered one of the most disappointing fights of that period. He failed to put together a single combination during the entire fight. Parker was the first New Zealander to actually hold a world championship belt and it took until 2012 for that to happen. New Zealand simply does not have a particularly remarkable history of heavyweight fighters. It’s not at all clear why you would point to it as a special source of credibility. Everyone likes a good heavyweight fight, but to say it is always the premiere event just isn’t true. There have been many periods where the heavyweight division has been relatively weak compared to other divisions. The main events are based on a combination of the best, most marketable fighters fighting for the most prestigious title. Manny Pacquiao, Floyd’s Mayweather, Kostya Tszyu, Oscar De la Hoya for example didn’t fight too many times on the undercard of some random heavyweights just because they weighed less.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As I’m not sure why you’re hung on other weights! Like the Nga Puhi fella, is not even rated! Ffs! So Browne, or whatever, where did he originate from? As Aotearoa had Bob Fitzsimmons, back in the 1800’s & recently David Tua, along with Joseph Parker! If you knew anything about boxing the Heavyweight has always been the premier events!
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Browne held the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title in 2016 when he beat Ruslan Chagaev by stoppage. The article is about Quade Cooper. Pretty sure Cooper is a cruiserweight, so once again, I’m not sure why you are hung up on the heavyweight division.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well it’s the Heavyweight division that’s being referred to here, apart from Cooper,& it’s not being hung up, as you say, it’s the farce these bouts are having on a great ‘ international’ sport. If you are incapable of seeing that, well I’m not. Also who was that Lucas Brown?? When did he ever win or contested a world heavyweight title?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously as I said, you have no understanding of the farce it’s casting on the sport. These so called match ups are just that!! Wakey wakey
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Lucas Brown? Why are you hung up on the heavyweight division? Australia has two boxers challenging for multiple titles in the next couple of months - Kambosos at lightweight (former champion) and Tszyu at light middleweight.
Charlie Turner
Guest
…..these are exhibition bouts despite any sanctioning or endorsement from professional organizations and are targeting a specific audience. It’s a cottage industry on the periphery of boxing latching onto the pay for view tragic’s of the NRL and AFL. Boxing in Australia will not lose credibility as a result of these bouts anymore than the NRL would for hosting the SOO legends charity games. Don’t take the celebrity fights or yourself too seriously.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously you’re understanding of discrediting of the sport is not a worry to you?? Ffs get a grip!
Charlie Turner
Guest
So your only measure of boxing credibility is the number of heavyweight contenders a country has produced? You’re a canny pundit indeed.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So tell me how many, if when, has Australia had Heavyweight contenders fighting for the world title?? Nowhere near as many as Aotearoa has!! Fact.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
It’s a fringe sport in both countries.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
In his early days he was shy on contact. But that hasn’t been an issue for at least 7 years.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Maybe in Australia but in Aotearoa the sport has far more creditability, as we’ve seen by the type of fighter produced. Then again how many Australian Heavyweights fought for the world title compared to Aotearoa?
Kanggas2
Roar Rookie
So French people mugged tourists ,and you blame immigration. What a ridiculous comment. No violence in France before immigration then. Ffs Because only coloured migrants mug people apparently , and white English soccer have never got into trouble overseas ever …
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Willie RIP big fella, always enjoyed your commentary
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
They don’t fight serious boxers because: 1. It is wildly unsafe for a part time boxer to fight a full time professional. 2. Full time competitive boxers have nothing to gain from it except a pay cheque - they waste time preparing for it and risk injury that could hamper their career (look at Justis Huni) There is nothing wrong with footballers being paid to box. They are challenging themselves and providing entertainment. They aren’t making a farce out of the sport any more than a park footballer does by playing the game at a lower level than a test player. It’s not as though they are challenging for title or anything. No one is pretending that they are fighting at a level any higher than they are. They aren’t even distracting attention away from ‘real’ boxers - quite the opposite. Plenty of people will pay to watch Sonny Bill and Quade and in so doing will also watch other undercard fighters they never would have seen otherwise.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
">On Wednesday, World Rugby vice-president and French Rugby Federation chief Bernard Laporte went on trial facing charges of favouritism and corruption. The 58-year-old former France coach is accused of favouritism in awarding a shirt sponsor contract for the national men’s side to a close friend, Mohed Altrad, the billionaire owner of Top 14 champions Montpellier." Favouritism. I just hate it. Hope he ends up with a prison term (assuming the Court finds him guilty).
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Come on mate. No professional rugby team has their players swimming laps in the pool to build cardio. That kind of training is as dead as running laps around the field. That’s 80’s stuff. Boxing on the other hand (or at least pad work) is part of the fitness training of pretty much any professional team in any football code, especially rugby league and union. That is because boxing is incredibly good at building the type of cardio (and general) fitness suitable to short intense bursts of energy that characterise those sports. Boxing is also possibly the best training for reflexes and reading an opponents body movement which is helpful in a heavy contact sport. A concussion is always a possibility in boxing, but is unlikely in training - Probably less likely than in contact training for rugby. It is also possible in the bout itself, but still unlikely - it’s not like Cooper will be fighting Deontay Wilder for 12 rounds (or even a full time professional). And even if he does suffer a concussion - it’s highly unlikely to be anything that will take him out of action for more than a couple of days.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Less likely to get ligament damage in boxing, more likely to get head trauma. If you're doing it for cardio, go swimming.