News in Brief
McGeechan considering Super 14
Ian McGeechan is considering a coaching role in South Africa
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- British & Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan has said that he is considering a coaching position in South Africa in the Super 14 next season.
McGeechan, who was head coach on four of the last six Lions tours, will not have a full-time coaching role after the third Test against South Africa this Saturday having stepped down as Director of Rugby at Wasps.
He will be 66 when the Lions next tour in 2013 against Australia.
"I have not thought about 2013 [when the Lions visit Australia]," he told the Guardian.
"I have been involved in the game as a coach at the top level for the last 29 years and I am going to take a long rest when I return home. My daughter is getting married in August and I will take my time about considering my future.
"I do not know what the future holds for me but if I wasn't holding down a job in the professional game I wouldn't be a contender (in 2013).
Even a year away means you become out of touch because rugby evolves so quickly. The only plan I have is to consider an offer to come back out to South Africa next year and have a coaching involvement in Super 14 rugby."
- Rocky Elsom is set to miss the start of the Tri-Nations due to bruising in his knee. Australia coach, Robbie Deans, is expected to name the flanker in his 30-man Tri-Nations squad but he is expected to miss the first two matches in the tournament against New Zealand and South Africa. The 26-year-old spent the last year playing for Leinster but has not featured for his country since then due to the persistent injury.
- World Cup-winning Springbok scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen has been admitted to hospital after reportedly collapsing at his home. His publicist, Bridget van Oerle, confirmed that the 89-times capped van der Westhuizen was in hospital but dismissed reports that he had suffered a heart attack or stroke.
Van der Westhuizen's illness followed the news that his fellow World Cup-winner Ruben Kruger was in hospital following a car accident. Kruger, who started at blindside in the 1995 final, recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour and lost consciousness while driving home from the Springboks' win over the British & Irish Lions in Pretoria on Saturday.
- Australian back Matt Carraro will join Bath on a two-year deal after leaving the NSW Waratahs. The 24-year-old, who can play both centre and wing, helped the franchise to the Super 14 final last year and he has also played for Australia A. "I am very excited to be joining Bath Rugby and to be living in a great place like Bath," he said
"The club has a great reputation in the southern hemisphere and all over the world people love Bath the city.
- London Irish have signed prop James Tideswell, 25, from Plymouth Albion on a one-year contract.
© Scrum.com
1. Max Verstappen ()
