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Last Update: Sunday, May 6, 2007. 8:00pm AEST
Connolly positive despite Super 14 woes
http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200705/s1915597.htm
Wallabies coach John Connolly tried to put a positive slant on Australia's disappointing Super 14 campaign on Sunday.
No Australian team reached the semi-finals of the southern hemisphere competition, with the fifth-placed Brumbies the most successful side. The Western Force finished seventh, the Waratahs 13th and the Reds bottom of the standings.
"NSW have played pretty well at times, though they haven't got across the line, but a number of games they haven't been far away," Connolly said.
"The Brumbies dropped two games at the start of the year by a point or two and should have been in the semis."
Connolly is optimistic about his team's prospects for the international season, with the World Cup only four months away.
"I'm confident that when we get our best side together, we will be very competitive," he said.
The Wallabies' lengthy injury list is also shortening.
"(Sam) Cordingley will be named in one of the squads, he will play a full 80 minutes next week," he said. "(Daniel) Vickerman will return on the weekend of the ninth to play part of a club game and both will be considered for selection."
Fullback Chris Latham missed the entire Super 14 season but is hoping to return to action before the end of the Tri-Nations.
Australia are due to name a training squad of up to 60 players on Monday
Connolly is really starting to show his Bias now.....
1. How can you name a player (Cordingley) when he hasn't played a game yet this year!?!?!
2. Brumbies dropped two games by a couple of points and "SHOULD" have been in the finals - didn't the force also loose two games by only a point!
3. That squad of 59 as mentioned in other posts rewards the 13th placed team with the most squad members!???!?!?!?!