Days before the first Wallabies Test against Ireland, infighting plagues Australian rugby

The Super Rugby draw was released last September, yet the Wallabies and Brumbies still can’t agree on a key selection issue.

The Brumbies appear set to pick David Pocock for their clash with the Sunwolves, despite Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s request he be rested.

NINE days out from the first Test of the year against Ireland, Australian rugby is fighting itself with the Brumbies adamant they’ll play David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa despite a request from Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to rest them.

The Brumbies host Japan’s Sunwolves in Canberra on Sunday afternoon, six days before the Wallabies host Ireland in the first of three Tests in Brisbane.

With the short turnaround, Cheika has asked Brumbies coach Dan McKellar to stand down the trio from the game in a strong indication they will be in his 23-man squad for the international.

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But by late Thursday, McKellar, who was blindsided by Cheika’s request, had no intention of withdrawing the three players from his squad, to be publicly announced at 12.30pm on Friday.

Despite the Super Rugby draw being released last September, showing that the Brumbies would be playing the Sunday before a Test match, it’s understood Cheika has only flagged the issue around resting players with McKellar in the past week.

The Brumbies appear set to pick David Pocock for their clash with the Sunwolves, despite Wallabies coach Michael Cheika’s request he be rested.

The Brumbies are struggling for crowds and desperate to record back-to-back wins after upsetting the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend.

Third in the Australian conference, the Canberra side look to be out of contention for a finals berth this year.

At the same time, the Wallabies’ fortunes will be pivotal to the bottom line for a code in financial trouble.

A lost series against Ireland would be dire for the coffers in the lead-up to the Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 18 — the game Rugby Australia relies on most heavily for profit.

The state of disorganisation so close to the first international of the year flies in the face of RA’s declarations at the beginning of the year to have a greater collabarotive relationship between itself and the states.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is not getting the co-operation he had hoped for.

Melbourne Rebels, who play in Auckland on Saturday, have rested halfback Will Genia who has been nursing a knee injury, to ensure he is fully fit for the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.

NSW, who could have up to eight players from Saturday’s encounter against Queensland in the Wallabies’ 23 the following week, have not been asked to rest any stars.

That they’ll have a seven-day turnaround and will already be in Brisbane are factors.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson summed it up best when he said clarity was the key issue for Super coaches, just as it is made clear to New Zealand coaches at the start of the year that All Blacks must be rested for two games each before the June series.

“There are systems that have been developed in other countries and it’s something I’m sure we’re going to have a future discussion about with Rugby Australia,” Gibson said.

“When it’s planned and everyone is on board with the plan, it’s something we’d be open to.”

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Originally published as Days before the first Wallabies Test against Ireland, infighting plagues Australian rugby