Samu set for Wallabies’ selection but no certainty to play; Maddocks a squad bolter
​RUGBY Australia has made an official request to New Zealand Rugby for the release of Pete Samu to join the Wallabies squad for the Ireland series, but the Crusaders forward is no certainty to make the trip to Brisbane.
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RUGBY Australia has made an official request to New Zealand Rugby for the release of Pete Samu to join the Wallabies squad for the Ireland series, but the Crusaders forward is no certainty to make the trip to Brisbane.
As forecast by the Daily Telegraph in April, Samu was unveiled by the Brumbies on Tuesday as a new signing for 2019-20 and the contract made the Melbourne-born Crusaders forward instantly eligible for Wallabies selection.
Cheika is set to name Samu when he announces his 33-man squad for the Irish series on Wednesday night, in which Rebels rookie Jack Maddocks will be the major bolter.
Samu would be the first Wallaby picked from a Kiwi team but whether he gets a clean passage to join the Wallabies in Brisbane next week remains to be seen.
RA are relying on Regulation Nine to select Samu - the World Rugby rule that forces the release of players for Test duties during certain windows in the year. It is believed RA were in touch with World Rugby officials as late as Tuesday night to confirm their rights.
The NZR confirmed to the Daily Telegraph last night that RA had made contact and they were considering the matter.
“We have received a request from Rugby Australia and we’re in discussions but nothing has been decided yet,” NZR head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said.
Raelene Castle’s relationship with NZR boss Steve Tew will help somewhat but it is understood there are several issues that could either delay, or block entirely, the release of Samu to join the Wallabies in June.
The first is the timing of the request. Under regulation nine, unions must make a formal request 14 days before the team assembles and, with the Wallabies going into camp on Sunday, it is understood RA’s correspondence landed with NZR only 10 days prior.
It’s unlikely NZR would be petty enough to stop Samu joining the Wallabies until late in the week but the bigger roadblock is whether they stop him crossing the ditch at all.
The 26-year-old is also eligible for New Zealand, via a three-year residency period; giving him dual eligibility.
NZR released Brad Shields under similar circumstances to play for England in June but they argued regulation nine didn’t apply to Shields “per se” because he had dual eligibility.
In a sub-clause addressing players with dual eligibility, regulation 9.38 says if a union like the NZR gets a player to sign a document declaring themselves available for New Zealand senior teams, they can subsequently deny another nation’s regulation nine request.
Though he is not on the radar for the All Blacks, Samu holds a contract with the Crusaders until August, and then Tasman in the ITM Cup through to October.
Initially Samu wasn’t in Cheika’s plans for June plans but with injuries to Jack Dempsey and Ned Hanigan, and Sean McMahon absent, depth at blindside flanker depth has become shallow. Abrasive Rebel loose forward Angus Cottrell is another possible call-up in the back row.
Attention all Brisbane kids! Get down to Suncorp Stadium, at the Northern Plaza (by the Wally Lewis statue) tomorrow afternoon at 4pm for a coaching session with #Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. Plenty of giveaways & a chance to get a sneak peek of the #Wallabies June squad. pic.twitter.com/l61IW9OUUi
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) May 29, 2018
Cheika will officially name his 33-man squad on Wednesday night.
After blooding 26 players since the 2015 World Cup, it’s believed there won’t be many more uncapped players in the June squad.
Maddocks, the twenty-year-old Rebels utility, is expected to be one of them after a superb season on the wing for Melbourne. The skilful youngster went on the Spring Tour as an apprentice last year and he has scored eight tries this year so far.
Maddocks’ consistency has just him above Brumbies flyer Tom Banks but the latter’s form in the last few weeks has him right in the frame.
Up front, Brandon Paenga-Amosa is tipped for a first call-up and there is strong mail Waratahs Tolu Latu — after just three bench cameos for NSW this year — will leapfrog other worthy contenders to win a spot as well, mostly due to his 4-cap experience.
Reds backrower Caleb Timu appears locked in for a maiden Wallabies squad call-up as well.
Hanigan is due back for game two in Melbourne.
POSSIBLE WALLABIES SQUAD
Props
Scott Sio, Tom Robertson, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Allan Alaalatoa
Hookers
Jordan Uelese, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tolu Latu
Locks
Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Izack Rodda, Matt Philip, Rory Arnold
Backrowers
Michael Hooper (c), David Pocock, Lukhan Tui, Caleb Timu, Pete Samu, Ned Hanigan/Angus Cottrell
Halves
Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Bernard Foley
Centres
Kurtley Beale, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Curtis Rona
Back three
Israel Folau, Reece Hodge, Dane Haylett-Petty, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Tom Banks
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