RA wont budge on Giteau Law tweaks as Kerevi Cooper respond to spring tour mess
One of three Rugby Australia board members responsible for implementing the new eligibility criteria says he has no regrets and insists the events of the past week will not force a return to only picking players based in Australia.
Former Wallabies captain Phil Waugh is one of three members of the RA boardâs rugby committee, along with fellow former Wallaby Daniel Herbert and chief executive Andy Marinos.
While the blame for the messy situation which unravelled over the past week has been laid at the feet of RA and the Wallabies, Waugh defended the approach.
âThe way weâre crafting it and managing what is a very, very challenging policy and position, I think weâve actually managed it particularly well, and weâre seeing those results on the field,â Waugh told the Herald.
âGiven the immaturity of those policies, some of the challenges we have been through the last seven days, we just have to work through whatâs the best way forward through the outcome of that and ensure that we minimise similar situations occurring, where thereâs been a breakdown of communication.â
Instead of backflipping on a push to pick more players from abroad, Waugh believes the withdrawal of Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon from the spring tour squad was simply part of the transition phase.
Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon are all returning to their Japanese clubs and missing the Wallabiesâ spring tour.Credit:Getty, Getty, Supplied
âGiven our relative immaturity in eligibility, I think weâre just working through some communication and expectation hurdles that will definitely be better moving forward,â Waugh said.
âIn my personal opinion, and itâs all still very raw, but the process weâve gone through to expand the eligibility has been thorough and collaborative.
âThe events of the last seven days have been part of a journey in transitioning to new territory.
âItâs now about working through the obstacles and potential miscommunication to ensure thereâs actually transparency.
âWeâre still very much in the same headspace as what we were prior.â
That headspace involves a cap on Giteau Law exemptions, as Waugh insisted no bridges have been burned with Cooper, Kerevi and McMahon.
The committee is also open to a model in which the Wallabies pick Japan-based stars for the July Tests and The Rugby Championship but not for the spring tour, given it falls in line with their pre-season.
âNothing is off the table, to be honest. I think as I said, itâs all really new. And weâre really conscious that we would love all Australiaâs best players playing in Australia as frequently as possible,â Waugh said.
âEnsuring there is absolute transparency in communication and expectation, everyone can then make really well-informed decisions and also plan for any potential selections or from a Japanese club point of view, they then know whether they can be called upon under Reg 9.
âItâs very much an open book.â
Meanwhile, Kerevi and Cooper posted messages on Instagram to express a desire to remain Wallabies in 2022 and beyond.
The trio have been accused of putting club before country, and they felt strongly enough about the matter to respond via social media.
âIâve changed what Iâve wanted to write on this post many times. Iâve felt angry, sad, confused, betrayed but mostly heart broken,â Kerevi wrote.
âIâm trying my best to let God take control instead of letting my emotions take over ... But be careful, God has a way of bringing out the TRUTH one way or the other. He has his ways of humbling us all!
âI thank my club @sungoliath_official for allowing me this opportunity during my holiday to continue to pursue that dream.
âI cherish my time in the Wallaby gold and having this opportunity to again represent this country has been amazing. Most importantly my teammates who we grow with each day through the highs and lows & Dave and his staff for their efforts the past few months.
âItâs never any one players jersey! You need strong shoulders when you put that jersey on because you carry the history of all the players of the past that paid it forward as I will one day leave it for the next. That time may be now and if it is, I will forever be grateful to have had played a part in the Wallaby journey.
âOne thing, donât ever question my love for it!â
Cooper expressed similar sentiments soon after Kereviâs post.
âMy growth as a man is being able to admit Iâm hurt,â he wrote.
âIt hurts that I wonât be on tour to Europe with my teammates, especially after experiencing so much growth and overcoming challenges each week.
âIâm hurt that I couldnât please everyone and keep both my employer and country happy. But although I am hurting now, the happiness I feel from my journey to this point far outweighs the hurt.
âI am so thankful to everyone, from my club @hanazono_kintetsu_liners for allowing me to play for Australia again, to Renz and the @wallabies staff for inviting me in to what proved to be an incredible atmosphere and for all your efforts the past few months but most of all to my teammates and brothers.
âWe challenge each other to be better each day and as a result we saw enormous growth both as men and as athletes. Thank you for making the last few months possible.
âThis journey has no finish line and my efforts to continue to walk this path will not change.
âWhatâs meant to be will be.â
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