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Coach Darren Coleman intends to play Kurtley Beale at fullback next season as the Waratahs ponder how to take the next step towards Super Rugby title contention.
Beale is back in Australia for a fourth stint at the Waratahs in a major boost to his Wallabies chances, after previously being subject to rules capping the number of players able to be selected from international clubs.
He played inside centre, fullback and off the bench in his most recent season with French Top 14 outfit Racing 92 and has a wealth of experience as a five-eighth, including for the Wallabies.
While the Waratahs won’t have their full complement of players back at training until their Wallabies representatives return in the new year, Coleman has already hatched plans for how best to use his star recruit.
“I think primarily he’ll play 15 but he has the ability to play 12 (inside centre),” Coleman said.
“We’ve got a few of our centres, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese and now Joey Walton, carrying some injuries, so he may even find himself at centre a little bit as well before we get those guys back.”
Whatever transpires, Coleman said Beale had been a “great” addition to the squad.
“He’s happy, he’s injury-free and he’s super excited to have a big Super season and hopefully catapult himself into the Wallabies,” the coach said.
After hoisting themselves from the bottom of the ladder into the finals last season, the Waratahs are determined to ignore key personnel absences and make the best of the 2023 pre-season.
To keep things fresh, Coleman invited the St George Illawarra NRL side to training on Monday for a cross-code hit-out.
A World Cup camp in the new year will keep the Wallabies from returning until the Waratahs’ third week back after Christmas, giving Michael Hooper, Jake Gordon, Angus Bell and more just over a month to prepare for the new season.
“It’s not ideal for us,” Coleman admitted.
“But the beauty of all our Wallaby contingent … is that all of them were here last year.
“We haven’t re-invented the wheel so they’ll be able to jump back in pretty seamlessly I’d imagine.”
Steve Borthwick is set to be announced as England coach on Monday, according to reports.
The UK Telegraph, who first reported that Borthwick was the “overwhelming favourite” to replace Eddie Jones, says the former England captain addressed the Leicester Tigers’ squad following their 23-16 victory over Clermont in the Champions’ Cup match at Welford Road on Saturday night of the impending announcement.
Borthwick, as well as defence coach Kevin Sinfield, are said to have cost the Rugby Football Union £1 million for their services. The figure is on top of the estimated £1 million it cost to pay out Australian coach Eddie Jones, who was sacked earlier this month following an underwhelming November series.
Given Sinfield is set to join Borthwick, former NRL star Brett Hodgson, who was announced as Anthony Seibold’s replacement as defence coach before Jones was sacked, will have to be paid out too.
The Telegraph reports Borthwick will retain “several” of Jones’ assistants.
Borthwick was set to join Jones in May as part of the RFU’s ‘Project Everest’ succession plan, but England’s worst year since 2008 – five wins, six losses, one draw – the governing body moved on the Australian. The former England captain was previously Jones’ right-hand man, having worked with the Australian during the past two World Cup campaigns.
The former second-rower has just five competitive Tests to turn England around, with next year’s Six Nations only two months away.
Borthwick, who completed Leicester’s stunning comeback earlier in the year by guiding the Tigers to the premiership title, has the defending champions fifth on this season’s table, with four victories, four defeats and a draw. Meanwhile, the Tigers are unbeaten from two matches in the Champions Cup.
Eddie Jones’ former right-hand man Steve Borthwick is expected to be announced as England coach on Monday. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The 43-year-old once again tried to shootdown any talk linking him to the England job over the weekend, instead was to savour the moment.
“I think right now we want to enjoy the win today,” Borthwick replied. “We’re two from two in the Champions Cup.”
“I understand that everyone has to ask the [England] question and I know you understand why I’m saying that I want to enjoy today’s result,” added the 43-year-old.
“It’s a special club. I feel privileged to be part of it and I’ve got to coach a group of players for the last two and a half years that I care for deeply. There’s not much more I can say at this stage.”
Scotland maverick heading to the Premiership
Finn Russell – the excellent Scottish playmaker – is set to make an exciting move to the Premiership, according to The Telegraph.
Russell, 30, will make the high-profile move from Racing 92 on a deal worth an estimated £1 million. It will make Russell one of the Premiership’s richest players.
It is understood Racing offered the mercurial fly-half a decreased offer, which saw the Scottish No.10 move to England. Russell was brought to Paris to replace All Blacks legend Dan Carter.
During his time at the Parisian club, Russell led Racing to a European Cup final, where they lost 31-27 to Exeter Chiefs.
His signature is expected to be announced throughout the week and is a major boost for new coach Johan van Graan, who arrived at Bath this season after working alongside Stephen Larkham at Munster.
Springboks international Thomas du Toit is expected to move to Bath, while the fallen English club is moving closer to finalising extension deals for England stars Will Stuart and Sam Underhill.
Waratahs finish year with opposed session against NRL club
Darren Coleman had a few new faces to talk to on Monday, with the Waratahs coach welcoming the Dragons for an opposed session to start the final week of the year.
Skills coach Shannon Fraser, who also works with the Dragons, helped organise the session.
It is believed spent the day training alongside each other before finishing with an unofficial match, where one half will be played with the 10m line and the second half with rugby offside line behind the last man at the ruck.
Ice Man leads side to first-up win over Japanese heavyweights
Bernard Foley has led Spears Kubota to an important first-up win over Suntory Sungoliath.
The Wallabies playmaker, who played five Tests for the Wallabies before signing off for the year against Ireland in November, was back in Japan and saw his to a 31-18 victory over the League One heavyweights.
Elsewhere, Nick Phipps got one over Will Genia as Michael CHeika’s Green Rockets pipped Kintetsu Lingers 36-34.
Elsewhere, Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights started the season with a 22-19 victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus. Marika Koroibete featured on the left-wing for the Wild Knights.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.