Mitchell firms as fill-in for Tuqiri

[jargan83]

Mitchell firms as fill-in for Tuqiri

By Jim Tucker
October 15, 2008

DREW Mitchell has firmed up as frontrunner to fill the wing void left by Lote Tuqiri, as Australia's 66-test veteran looks certain to miss the Bledisloe Cup clash in Hong Kong on November 1.

Tuqiri has worked away on the fringes of training in Sydney to keep rebuilding strength in his left knee after surgery just over a month ago.

With Tuqiri not expected to start running until the Wallabies muster for their fourth and final pre-tour camp, the coaching staff are clearly positioning him for a comeback in Europe, rather than in the tour opener.

The move is a sensible one from the management of the country's top winger, because a premature return would risk further damage.

Mitchell firms as fill-in for Tuqiri - Rugby - Fox Sports

[robyn <3]

damn right its drews turn... i would have died if turner was given a shot ahead of him.

drew, this is your time. show lote how its done and make him look like the idiot he truly is please

[laura]

I still don't see why a spot is kept open for Turqiri whil he is recovering. When Mitchell was recovering no spot was left open for him, he had to work his was back in to the squad. Tuqiri should be shown the same deal and made to work his way back in, none of this silver platter business.

[force addict]

finally a chance for drew to be on the wings again. im agreeing with Laura, tuqiri should be shown the same treatment as everyone else in regards to cementing a spot and keeping it open for a chance to gain it.

[inactive]

Well when your paid as much as tuquri i think you'd have to play him even though he hasnt earnt his spot ever!

[jargan83]

show lote how its done and make him look like the idiot he truly is please

Lote does that himself whenever he opens his mouth, unfortunately they still pay him the big bucks. I agree with Laura, he should have to earn his spot back and not have a walk up start. Shame it's not a perfect world.


Main Game is probably right, the amount they pay justifies his selection, which is stupid

[Swee_82]

Main Game is probably right, the amount they pay justifies his selection, which is stupid

Or conversely (perversely?) they are trying to justify what he is paid by giving him automatic selection.

[jargan83]

Or conversely (perversely?) they are trying to justify what he is paid by giving him automatic selection.

Either way you look at it both are pretty poor options. Hopefully Drew will play well and the maybe Tuqiri may have to work for a recall

Or is that too much to ask for?
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[Flamethrower]

Now Lote is giving voids a bad name.

[robyn <3]

im extremely furious. i was excited drew would be starting but i have realised (i had nothing else to think about in maths) that turkey is the worlds biggest, worst, ugliest, untalent-est, un-international-cap-deserving, problem-est overpaid rugby player EVER! he should go back to league and STAY THERE!

just had to let it all out...

(that isnt the first time ive realised lote was like that, but when he steals drew's spot it just made it even worse!)

drew deserves the 11 jumper more than lote.

australian rugby deserves drew to have the 11 jumper ahead of lote.

uurgh im ANGRY!...

[robyn <3]

the SMH's version of the story... since he is playing in WA they obviously had to make it sound worse

Hopes spring eternal for Mitchell

October 15, 2008 - 3:40PM

Drew Mitchell is hoping spring proves the perfect time to rekindle his on-off relationship with the Wallabies.

Since bursting into the limelight with a try on his Test debut against the Springboks in 2005, Mitchell has endured a frustrating stop-start international career.

The dynamic fullback-winger ended 2005 with 10 caps, didn't play one in 2006 and added another 11 Tests to his CV last year only to suffer the immense disappointment of being benched for Australia's World Cup quarter-final loss to England despite scoring a tournament-high seven tries in the Wallabies' three pool games.

This season has been more of the same, with Mitchell starting just one Test and warming the bench for three others.

Little wonder the 24-year-old flyer is eager to nail down a permanent run-on position on the Wallabies' Spring Tour of Hong Kong and Europe.

"Since 2005, I've been in and out a fair bit," Mitchell said today.

"I had a good year in 2005. Not at all in 2006 and then been sort of in and out of teams the last couple of years.

"So essentially now, I'd like to try and work my way in. I think that's the goal for everyone.

"It's not enough just being here in the squad. You want to play and challenge yourself as much as you possibly can."

With first-choice EDIT- most overpaid Lote Tuqiri still recovering from minor knee surgery, Mitchell is favoured to nab the vacant wing spot for Australia's fourth and final Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand on Saturday week.


my favourite part...

While he is taking nothing for granted and remains wary of Digby Ioane and Lachie Turner, who are also in contention, Mitchell's impressive strike rate of 14 tries in 17 Test starts gives the Queensland-born Western Force star an obvious edge over his rivals.

(this isnt grumbles' work, he used western, force and star in the SAME sentence)

the rest of it is at:
Hopes spring eternal for Mitchell - rugbyheaven.com.au

[blueandblack]

robyn, when you come into irc tonight, i'll feed you some calming herbal tea.

[robyn <3]

robyn, when you come into irc tonight, i'll feed you some calming herbal tea.

thankyou... i think i am in need of some

[tragic]

Just a "fill-in"????? PPpbbbbbttttt.

[Jehna]

I still don't see why a spot is kept open for Turqiri whil he is recovering. When Mitchell was recovering no spot was left open for him, he had to work his was back in to the squad. Tuqiri should be shown the same deal and made to work his way back in, none of this silver platter business.

Because he's not Lote and he's not on a $6 milion contract *sigh*

Robyn...take the floor....i'm with you!