Briefs: Super 15 stalemate, Gatland's woes

Rugby Enews.com - Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:07 PM

A decision on where the 15th Super Rugby franchise will be located will go before an independent arbitrator after SANZAR members predictably reached a stalemate on Wednesday.

With the Australian Rugby Union pushing for the new team to be based in Melbourne and South African officials supporting the Southern Kings bid, a result was never likely following a lengthy meeting in Brisbane.

The SANZAR executive committee did not enter a vote, referring the matter to arbitration. The arbitration process will be set up quickly, with a final decision binding.

The new franchise will be in place for the start of the 2011 Super Rugby season.

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MY KINGDOM FOR A PROP

ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson will be poring over his front row options after Phil Vickery was ruled out of contention for the autumn.

Vickery sustained a neck injury in Wasps' 18-13 Challenge Cup victory over Racing- Metro on October 11 and will require three months of rehabilitation.

The 33-year-old's absence has robbed England of its entire first-choice front row - all test Lions - for the fixtures against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

Sale prop Andrew Sheridan and Bath hooker Lee Mears, who have sustained shoulder and knee injuries, were ruled out earlier in the week.

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FLYNN NEVER LOOKED AT QUITTING

COREY Flynn never contemplated retirement when he suffered yet another broken arm while playing for the Crusaders in the Super 14 earlier this year.

It was the latest in a series of arm injuries that has plagued the 28-year-old hooker throughout his career which has seen him manage just five tests for New Zealand since making his debut against Canada in Melbourne at the 2003 World Cup.

His last appearance for the All Blacks was against Munster in Limerick on last year's end of season tour but he was forced off in that game when he broke his left forearm - the same arm he broke in the Crusaders' last-gasp win against the Brumbies just months later.

"I haven't even thought about [retirement]. It creeps into the mind but you squash it pretty quickly because you only get to play this game for so long," he said.

"Retirement is a long way off as long as the body stays fit."

It has stayed strong enough for him to fight his way back into the All Blacks squad for the test against Australia in Tokyo and the four tests and game against the Barbarians that will be played in Europe.

"To be back here is pretty special. You will see a big smile on my face for the next six weeks. I'm just really rapt and really looking forward to it," he told reporters after the second day of training in Auckland.

"I feel in the shape of my life. I feel really good and the arms are fine."

Flynn is one of only two hookers in the 33-man squad and will be fighting for the starting position with incumbent Andrew Hore.

"I suppose it takes the pressure off when the team is being named as you know that you are going to be there or thereabouts pretty much every game," he said

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WALLABY CENTURION UNDER PRESSURE

THE axe may be poised ominously over his head, but besieged Wallabies veteran George Smith claims to be feeling no heat heading into Australia's crucial spring tour.

Smith trained with the Wallabies' 'second string' team at training on Tuesday, leading to speculation the openside flanker would be benched in favour of the dynamic David Pocock for Saturday week's Bledisloe Cup test against New Zealand in Tokyo.

It would be a dramatic fall from grace for the 105-test veteran, who led Australia in its last test against the All Blacks in Wellington.

The 29-year-old has also been stripped of the vice-captaincy but is adamant the recent setbacks are nothing more than timely wake-up calls.

"I definitely don't feel complacent in the way I prepare and I think that's the way everyone approaches (it)," Smith said on Wednesday.

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GATLAND'S WOES CONTINUE

Wales' autumn test plans have been dealt a huge blow with the loss of its British and Irish Lions halfback Mike Phillips.

Phillips, a star performer during the Lions' gripping test series against South Africa, faces at least 12 weeks out because of ligament damage.

He limped off before halftime in the Ospreys' 25-24 Heineken Cup victory over French side Clermont three days ago, and is set to undergo further tests this week.

Wales coach Warren Gatland is already without Phillips' fellow Lions Lee Byrne (foot) and Adam Jones (shoulder) for the autumn tests that start against New Zealand on November 7.