The league link that can deliver Wallabies NZ star Pete Samu
THE son of a former Canberra Raider could be Australia’s trump card in the battle with New Zealand Rugby to get Crusaders flanker Pete Samu cleared to join the Wallabies squad on Sunday.
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THE son of a former Canberra Raider could be Rugby Australia’s trump card in the battle with New Zealand Rugby to get Crusaders flanker Pete Samu cleared to join the Wallabies squad on Sunday.
After much speculation, Samu was left off the Wallabies squad list by Michael Cheika on Wednesday night due to a lack of official clearance from New Zealand Rugby.
It is understood NZR are seeking financial compensation from RA to release Samu, which has not gone down well.
“I have been told at this point I can’t select him. But there is a spot for him there,” Cheika said.
“At this point, it is in other’s hands. I am not really involved in that part of it but I am hoping that there will be some more clarity about that tomorrow.”
Melbourne-born Samu became eligible for the Wallabies this week after signing a contract with the Brumbies for 2019-20, and under World Rugby’s regulation Nine, RA made an official request to NZR last week for Samu’s release for Wallabies duty.
The Kiwis believe they have grounds to deny the release, however, given Samu is also eligible for New Zealand via residency. He moved there in 2014 to play for Tasman in the Mitre Ten Cup.
The 26-year-old is not in the All Blacks’ picture but the fact he has a contract with Tasman for this year, and would likely miss a fair chunk of it on Wallabies’ duty, is believed to be a sticking point, and the reason why NZR are asking for RA to pay for what would amount to Samu being released from that contract.
Rugby Australia are arguing NZR should release Samu to play for his country as a good will gesture between neighbours and southern allies, and they can point to a recent example of them doing exactly that for NZR, a Kiwi franchise - and Tasman.
Tyrel Lomax, a 125kg tighthead prop, played for the Australian under 20s and was playing for the Rebels last year when he was wooed by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to have a crack at playing for New Zealand. He is is eligible through his father John, the former Kiwis rugby league prop.
Though he still had 18 months left on his Rebels contract, Lomax signed with the Highlanders for the 2019 season and the Rebels and RA ultimately agreed to Lomax’s request to leave early and join them in 2018 instead.
As a sign of good will, he was even released to play Mitre Ten Cup for Tasman in late 2017, instead of NRC for the Melbourne Rising. Lomax wanted to go on the NZ Maori tour later that year but needed to be playing in New Zealand.
There was no compensation paid to the Rebels.
Officials from RA and NZR are still discussing the matter, and there is hope a resolution can be reached that will allow Samu to join the squad in Brisbane.
With or without Samu, Cheika’s plans for the backrow will revolve around finding a player to complement David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
He said Lukhan Tui, who has barely played six, and uncapped 24-year-old Caleb Timu were the front-runners, although it is hoped Ned Hanigan returns for the second Test in Melbourne.
With no Sean McMahon, Jack Dempsey or injured rookie Rob Valetini, who was also in the mix, Cheika said it was a chance for Tui or Timu to step up.
“It is a great opportunity for those blokes, whoever gets the 6 jersey or the 8 jersey, to make sure he puts his name up,” Cheika said.
Pocock may end up playing no.6.
“Whether he wears 7, 6, or 8 he will have his standard floating role around the field,” Cheika said.