A rugby miscellany
Rebels link: Freddie call
MELBOURNE REBELS have been linked with a move for French international and Toulouse outhalf Freddie Michalak, although quite why the latter would want to go to the Australian franchise will be interesting in the light of their 43-0 thumping by the Waratahs on the opening weekend of the Super 15 series.
The Rebels lost outhalf James Hilgendorf with a shoulder injury during the game – he was replaced by England’s Danny Cipriani – and the former could be on the sidelines for six weeks. Toulouse confirmed recently that Stade Français pivot Lionel Beauxis will be joining them for next season and reports suggest Michalak has yet to be offered a new contract.
Rebels coach Rod Macqueen was non committal about the speculation.
Mallett knocks letter on head: Record set straight
NICK MALLETT has apologised for comments made about French referee Romain Poite in the build-up to his side’s Six Nations Championship game against Ireland at the Stadio Flaminio earlier this month. The South African-born Italy coach claimed Poite had written a letter to the Italian Rugby Federation apologising for his handling of the sides’ previous championship meeting, at Croke Park, 12 months previously.
However, Mallett has confessed no such letter existed. He stated: “I have already apologised to Romain and I am happy to put the record straight after I was reported as saying that Romain had written to us last year. I did not intend to put undue pressure on him prior to our match last week but accept that this may have been a consequence.”
The Italian coach claimed that Poite had apologised specifically for the way in which he had refereed Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni during the game in Dublin, accepting that he had wrongfully penalised the Leicester Tigers prop for set-piece infringements on a number of occasions.
Former Leinster man starts: Tonetti plays for 58 minutes
FORMER LEINSTER academy and Blackrock College centre Kyle Tonetti (right) started for Sale Sharks in their 21-9 defeat to Harlequins. Tonetti played for 58 minutes before being replaced by Anitele’a Tuilagi. Former Ulster flanker Neil McMillan came on as a second-half replacement, while scrumhalf Dave Moore was an unused replacement for ’Quins.
Gareth Steenson’s metronomic boot was a decisive factor in Exeter Chiefs’ 23-13 victory over the Newcastle Falcons with the Irishman kicking six penalties. Former Munster utility back Jeremy Manning failed with a late penalty that would have given the home side a bonus point in defeat.
Jeremy Staunton scored a try and kicked 11 points in Leicester Tigers’ 21-12 victory over London Wasps at Welford Road.
* AlanNeilson is running an on-line competition called Irish Rugby Dream Team in aid of The Sunshine Home in Leopardstown, the only Children's Hospice facility in the country. It provides home-support, respite and end-of-life care for children.
Entry is €10 and details of the competition can be found on www.irishrugbydreamteam.org.
