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Wales head coach Steve Tandy(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, October 22.
Cuthbert: I would have loved to have seen Harry Deaves in squad
Former Wales international Alex Cuthbert has said he would have loved to have seen Harry Deaves named in Steve Tandy’s squad for the autumn internationals.
The Ospreys flanker has been a named whispered in hushed tones in the build-up to the autumn Tests, with some tipping him to make it into Tandy’s first squad.
However, the former Wales U20s international just missed the cut and another ex-Osprey, Cuthbert, was disappointed by the call.
“I would have loved to have seen Harry Deaves,” Cuthbert told the BBC. “I just love his aggression and he is a fan favourite down at the Ospreys.”
Tandy said of Deaves’ omission: “Harri has been outstanding for the Ospreys, the way he has gone about his game.
“He’s probably a smaller athlete in the way he plays the game. But the way he carries the ball and goes about the game is outstanding.”
With regards to the back three, Cuthbert said he was looking forward to seeing Louis Rees-Zammit back in a Wales jersey, and understands the rationale behind leaving out rookie Tom Bowen, despite him being “on fire” this season.
“Very excited to see Louis Rees-Zammit back in the squad, been away for a number of years,” he added.
“He’s had his little NFL career and would have learned an awful lot and come back more experienced.
“Obviously there are notable omissions, you would probably say Tom Bowen, he’s been absolutely on fire with Cardiff this year.
“But he hasn’t quite made the squad. He’s only 19. I think he’s still got a little bit to learn.
“It could be a time for him to progress [with a view] to the Six Nations.”
Former Fiji captain dies suddenly
Former Flying Fijians captain Joeli Veitayaki has died unexpectedly, report the New Zealand Herald.
Veitayaki was capped 49 times for his country and skippered them on a handful of occasions and featured at both the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups.
Veitayaki’s son Haereiti Hetet has been named in the Fijian squad that will be heading north this autumn.
The 58-year-old played for Northland, King Country, the Chiefs and Blues during his career.
“Joeli’s passing has come as a great shock to our family, and we are taking time to come together. A gentle giant with a big heart. He was loved by many and had a huge impact on his community,” a tribute read from a member of his family on social media.
“We deeply appreciate all your love, prayers, and support during this difficult time … We love you dad.”
Northland Rugby Union also paid tribute to Veitayaki.
“Northland Rugby Union joins the wider rugby community in mourning the passing of former Taniwha #675 prop Joeli Veitayaki,” it posted.
“Joeli was a true powerhouse – both in presence and in spirit. During his time in the Cambridge Blue, he brought pride, mana, and warmth to everyone around him. His strength on the field was matched only by his humility and kindness off it.
“He will be remembered not just as a formidable front-rower, but as a teammate, mentor, and friend whose impact reached far beyond the game.
“Our thoughts and aroha are with Joeli’s whānau, friends, and all who had the privilege of sharing the field or the sideline with him.”
Biggar: England should have picked ‘hungry’ Farrell
Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar believes England have made a mistake leaving out Owen Farrell from Steve Borthwick’s latest training squad, insisting the Saracens star “looked hungry” and should have been recalled.
Farrell was left out of England’s 36-man squad named on Sunday, with George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith selected as the fly-half options. Despite returning to PREM action this season, the former captain has yet to feature in Borthwick’s plans since taking a break from international rugby after last year’s World Cup.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, Biggar said he couldn’t understand why Farrell wasn’t included, especially given England’s lack of depth at inside centre.
“Where England are short at the minute, I’d say, is 12s,” Biggar said. “This was tailor-made for Owen Farrell. There are not a lot of options there.
“I think he’s come back, and he wasn’t anywhere near his best against Quins, but he’s looked fit, he’s looked hungry, he’s looked confident, back to a little bit of the Owen Farrell in that Saracens environment.
“The big talk in the summer was about wanting him in there for his leadership and experience. You want your best, most experienced players involved now to push towards the top of the world rankings and then maybe you phase them out later. It’s a big gamble to leave him out.”
Former England fly-half Andy Goode, who co-hosts the show with Biggar, took the opposite view, arguing that Farrell’s current form didn’t justify selection and that England’s midfield options were strong enough without him.
“You could make an argument for him at 12 because of his leadership and ability,” Goode said. “But if you’re looking purely at form, there are a lot of players ahead of him right now.
“He’s played well for Sarries, but Henry Slade was outstanding at the weekend, Dingwall’s been brilliant, and Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence have been on fire. While Faz is a big name, you’re not thinking he’s that far above everyone else at the moment.”
Townsend responds to conflict of interest questions
By Anthony Brown, PA
Gregor Townsend insists his contentious decision to take on a new advisory role with Red Bull will not have any negative bearing on his ability to continue leading Scotland.
After extending his contract with the national team in September until the 2027 World Cup, it emerged earlier this month that the long-serving head coach will be spending 30 days a year working on Red Bull’s global rugby strategy in a non-executive position.
Townsend was criticised in some quarters for accepting a part-time job while being in charge of his country, but he is adamant there is no need for concern.
Asked at a press conference on Tuesday for the naming of his squad for the autumn internationals if he understood why there had been a backlash, the 52-year-old said: “Yeah, look, everyone’s got their opinions. It’s something that obviously I talked about with Scottish Rugby, and the benefits that we saw in the role.
“In my own time, I’d like to learn from other sports and other organisations. This gives me an opportunity to do that, but it’s not going to be something that I’m focusing on the next few weeks, because that’s going to be the Scotland job.
“I’m well aware of my role and the time that I’m able to allocate, and I’ve got to make sure I manage that because there will be less holidays, less time off over the next couple of years.
“But that also can be a real positive in terms of energising me and being involved on a wider level with sport and management, and that’s what I’ve felt like over the last couple of months (since starting with Red Bull).
“Some of the experiences I’ve had, it has been energising, but the full focus when I’m with Scotland and also in the planning phases with Scotland, that’s that’s the main role that I have, and it’s the role that gives me a massive purpose in my life and something I’m totally committed to.”
Townsend acknowledged he “absolutely” has to be wary of how he manages his time going forward.
“When you’re with the national team, as a head coach, there’s times when it’s really intense, and you’re in camps, and you’re staying in hotels, but there’s times throughout the year when you can choose what to do,” he said.
“Some people do the media, some people do work away from rugby, and this opportunity I have is to work with another sporting organisation or a company that runs different sports, and I feel that’s going to be helpful for my learning.
“They obviously want what I can contribute in terms of advice. Scottish Rugby are very well aware of what that means, and I have to be wary if there’s any potential conflicts. I don’t see any, but if there are, then I have to flag that up with my bosses.”
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