Rugby News: Kiwi NRL star ‘waiting for call’ from Eddie, Cheika club link, Razor gives ABs update

Melbourne Storm rugby league star Nelson Asofa-Solomona, a Kiwi, says he is waiting to hear from the Wallabies and would consider a code switch.

Asofa-Solomona is out of contract at the end of the NRL season and reportedly held talks with former coach Dave Rennie in 2021.

Asofa-Solomona, who represented New Zealand in the recent Rugby League World Cup, told the Sydney Morning Herald that a code switch was a genuine option.

“Coming from a rugby union background, I’ve always been enticed to go back to rugby at some stage,” he said.

“Just seeing the talent we have got at the Storm and the future they have, the Storm is in good hands even if I leave.

“I’m not too sure what I want to do, I change my mind every day.

“It’s hard to say [if I would join the Wallabies]. I’d be silly not to consider all my options.”

The 26-year-old prop was asked if Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had contacted him since his appointment.

“Eddie hasn’t been in touch yet. Obviously I’ve seen the headlines and stuff like that, I’m getting a bit of stick around the club,” said Asofa-Solomona. “I’m still waiting for a phone call.”

He admitted that playing for the Wallabies might be challenging as a Kiwi.

“You can’t rule anything out,” he said. “Stuff crosses your mind, but it would be tough being a New Zealander. But I’ve spent a lot of time in Australia, Australia has done a lot for my family. It’s a tough question to answer.”

Asofa-Solomona is close friends with former teammate Suliasi Vunivalu, who’s switch to the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies hasn’t exactly gone down a storm.

“Obviously we’re close mates, but at the end of the day it’s up to me what I want to do with my career,” he said.

“Nothing like that will really entice me to go just to go to a club, I have to consider a lot of things. I need to consider my family first and foremost.

“I miss Suli dearly and the Storm miss him as well. We love Suli. [Playing together] would be nice.”

Razor ready for big reveal

Scott Robertson has revealed the All Blacks’ post-World Cup coach could be decided in the “next few days.”

Multiple New Zealand reports on Wednesday said Robertson told media that he had been advised what New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) appointment process for the next All Blacks coach looks like.

He said he was waiting for the governing body to make an announcement, which Robertson told media in Christchurch could be “in the next few days”.

“I’ve been really patient. I think where we are now, that’s what we’re going to deal with, not what’s happened….the next two big weeks are big,” Robertson said.

Asked if he was pleased with the plan, Robertson laughed and added: “I haven’t signed anything yet.”

“Judging by his happy demeanour when he fronted at Rugby Park in Christchurch, it’s fair to assume NZR boss Mark Robinson has dished up some good news,” wrote stuff.co.nz on Wednesday.

The NZR board is expected to reveal a replacement for Ian Foster for after this year’s RWC with Robertson and Japan coach Jamie Joseph the two clear candidates.

As reported last week, the NZR board is to this month to decide whether to appoint the next All Blacks coach before, or after, the World Cup in France.

“Whatever their process is, they’ve just got to give me enough run in and time whenever they go. And I can do my job here at Rugby Park,” Robertson said, confirming he would coach the Crusaders in this year’s Super Rugby competition regardless of the NZR decision.

“It’s part of it, at one stage there it could have only been 10 days, and I was coaching a Test match. Whatever the lead in, whatever the time is, I’ll deal with that.”

In those comments Robertson revealed he was lined up to coach the All Blacks last year, only for Foster to survive the axe after a win over the Springboks at Ellis Park.

Robertson is contracted through 2024, but with an exit clause at the end of 2023.

Cheika impresses Leicester

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is a frontrunner to take on Steve Borthwick’s old job at Lecicester Tigers.

Cheika and Vern Cotter, who has just stood down as Fiji coach, are the leading candidates, according to a report in the UK Telegraph.

The Telegraph says both “are on a narrowing shortlist with Cheika becoming a more likely proposition.

“The Premiership champions are intent on landing a significant appointment and have money to spend following the Rugby Football Union’s acquisition of their leading coaches.”

Richard Wigglesworth, the interim head coach of Leicester Tigers, and Aled Walters, their head of performance, are following Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield to England. The club announced that it was “nearing the conclusion of the interview stage”.

There are concerns over Cheika’s ability to fulfill the high pressure club role alongside preparing Argentina for the World Cup later this year, although the paper noted his juggling of Pumas duty with Lebanon in the rugby league World Cup – and said he had impressed decision makers at the Premiership champion club.

Meanwhile, Richard Cockerill will leave England’s coaching staff to join French rugby club Montpellier, a departure that ends all ties to the Eddie Jones era in charge of the national team.

Since Borthwick replaced Jones as head coach, members of the Australian’s backroom staff – Matt Proudfoot, Brett Hodgson, Martin Gleeson – have left one by one with Cockerill the last to go.

Cockerill, a former England front-row forward, was interim coach following Jones’ departure and the arrival of Borthwick. 

He will continue as forwards coach throughout the Six Nations, England said on Tuesday, before joining Montpellier to take up the same role.

“Having coached and played in France previously, my family and I always had aspirations to return,” Cockerill said. “This opportunity presented itself some time ago and it was too hard to turn down personally and professionally.

“It is disappointing not to work with Steve and the wider team beyond the Six Nations. I had hoped to be able stay for the Rugby World Cup, but the timings weren’t meant to be.”

Hosea shaping up as key man

Melbourne will look to a trimmed-down Trevor Hosea to have a bigger presence as the Rebels try to get their Super Rugby Pacific season off to a flying start.

Opening 2022 with five losses, the Rebels were left chasing the pack last year and now coach Kevin Foote is determined they hit the ground running in their round-one clash with the Western Force in Perth on February 25.

They take on the Brumbies this Saturday night in Wagga Wagga in their final trial.

“Last year we didn’t start well and by the back end we were finding some momentum and I want to learn from that and start well this year,” Foote told AAP.

“We’ve still got a few injuries but we know we’re prepared.”

With Wallabies lock Matt Philip sidelined after a serious knee injury last October, Hosea is set for more game time.

Still only 23, the Melbourne-born second-rower has long been tipped for stardom and was included in the Wallabies squad in 2020.

But a foot injury stalled his progress and he missed last year’s entire 2022 Super season.

Foote believes Hosea has the size and talent to make it on the world stage, likening him to Springboks powerhouse Eben Etzebeth, says he has big expectations this year.

“I haven’t seen a physical lock like him, like Eben Etzebeth – one of those tall guys who are really well defined,” Foote told AAP.

“He’s lighter now than he was, so he’s about 119-120 kilograms so he’s fitter, and he’s much more comfortable now calling the line-out.

“With Matt (Philip) being out I’ve got a big expectation of Trev, but he’s ready for that as he’s grown and matured a lot so he will have a big part to play in our pack.”

As well as Philip, the Rebels are missing Wallabies flanker Rob Leota, who ruptured his Achilles in September while on Test duty and also key back Andrew Kellaway, who required surgery on a foot fracture.

Kellaway has started to run, with the Rebels hopeful he will be back playing before his round-six target.

They have recruited Italy winger Monty Ioane, young Kiwi flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi and English lock Tim Cardall.

Ex-Red Alex Mafi has also signed while hooker Anaru Rangi has returned along with prop Sam Talakai and halfback Ryan Louwrens.

The Rebels were kept scoreless in their opening trial against Fijian Drua last month but Foote wasn’t alarmed by the scoreline.

“We decided to leave a lot of our senior guys at home as we have a lot of travel coming up and thought it was a good opportunity for our young guys in pretty harsh conditions,” Foote said.