The Wallabies' attack coach contenders might not yet be entirely clear but news has emerged in France about one high-profile candidate who says he turned the job down.
Racing 92 backs coach Laurent Labit told French paper Midi Olympique that he declined a Wallabies offer "a few months ago".
Labit has recently taken up a new job with France's national team as backs coach, leaving Racing after six years with the powerhouse club, including a title run.
The French coach has had successful stints with a number of teams in his career, coaching at Castres and Montauban before moving to Paris.
And to finish, future #XVdeFrance backs coach Laurent Labit says he turned down a job at the #Wallabies a few months ago
— Illtud W. Dafydd (@IlltudDafydd) May 3, 2019
He also says it was difficult to tell right-hand man Laurent Travers about his decision to join les Bleus after working together since 2005
Bon week-end! pic.twitter.com/wN30qdFEpI
Labit is the first figure to confirm any kind of approach from the Australian setup. Interestingly, reports in French media back in January (that were missed down our way) floated that Labit, who is 'close' to Cheika, could leave to be Wallabies backs coach for 2019-23. Interpret that how you will.
There have been a number of names thrown around to fill the Wallabies' backs coach role in recent months.
Matt Giteau and Brian Smith have shaped most recently as contenders for the vacant Wallabies attack coaching job after Stephen Larkham was moved on at the end of 2018.
Larkham has been working with Australia's national teams and development teams since finishing up with the Wallabies.
QRU unveil Indigenous ambassadors
The Queensland Rugby Union has unveiled four women's ambassadors to assist in the delivery of their successful indigenous leadership programs.
Queensland Women's XV captain Kiri Lingman, vice-captain Lori Cramer and teammate Millie Boyle, as well as Queensland Academy of Sport 7s squad member Courtney Hodder - who represented Rugby WA in the inaugural Super W competition - have been appointed ambassadors.
"We’re delighted to have been invited to participate in the QRU’s indigenous Program, which has a track record of providing tangible outcomes to future leaders from remote indigenous communities in our state," Lingman said.
The women join Reds players Moses Sorovi and Duncan Paia'aua as program ambassadors.
QRU CEO David Hanham said: "It is important that young girls and women currently participating in our indigenous programs can see - and have access to - positive female roles models from the QRU’s elite Rugby playing pathways".
The QRU’s indigenous programs have been running since 2013 with the main objective to provide opportunities for students from the remote Aboriginal Communities of Cherbourg and Woorabinda to develop and further enhance leadership skills, both personally and within a team environment.
Selection is determined by the student’s current commitment to regularly attending school and their ability to display leadership qualities across school, community, family and sport.
Junior Wallabies stand together after win
Forget any idea of widespread disaffection between Rugby Australia and Polynesian and Pacific Islander players in the wake of the Israel Folau saga.
About half an hour after the crowds had left Bond University following the Junior Wallabies' Oceania U20 championship win over New Zealand on Saturday night, a group of Australian players headed back on to the field to celebrate the moment.
The group of players with Pacific Island backgrounds, who couldn't be prouder to be wearing the gold jersey, posed on the field with the championship trophy.
Sione Tui, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Trevor Hosea, Pat Tafa, Noah Lolesio, Esei Ha'angana and Semisi Tupou will be among the Junior Wallabies' 28 representative when the world junior championships kick off in Argentina in June.
Aussie men face tough London pool
The pools for the #London7s on 25-26 May
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 14, 2019
Who are you backing to make the Cup QFs? pic.twitter.com/oCCLXzJRrM
The Aussie men will take on the USA, Spain and Wales as they vie for some redemption in the London Sevens later this month.
Australia sits well out of the top four in the World Series with two legs left in the 2018-19 circuit, all but ruling them out of automatic Olympic qualification.
The USA have been one of the best teams in the competition this season, having made almost every Cup final.
Horwill says goodbye to the Stoop
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill had his final Premiership home game on the weekend and the tributes flowed in for the fan favourite.
Horwill captained Quins this season before announcing his retirement in recent weeks after 14 years in elite rugby.
The 33-year-old will have one more chance to vie for silverware in an already decorated career as Harlequins embark on a playoffs campaign in the coming weeks.
Cheika pays tribute to oldest-living Wallaby
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika stopped by Merrylands RSL this week and met an historic figure of the game, Eric Tweedale.
Ninety-seven-year-old Tweedale is the oldest living Wallaby and he was honoured with a testimonial dinner in Sydney's west.
Waratahs giving back to help good cause
The Waratahs will use their next Bankwest Stadium match to help raise money for injured teen Alex Noble.
Noble was paralysed in a tackle during training with a NSW academy last year and his work to recovery has been inspirational.
NSW Rugby will host a pre-match function ahead of their May 25 clash against the Jaguares, with money raised going to help Noble's continuing journey.
