Star Wallabies to miss Super Rugby matches ahead of World Cup
The Wallabies are set to adopt an All Blacks’ style rest policy next year, forcing big-name players to skip Super Rugby matches so they will be fresh for their World Cup campaign.
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The Wallabies are set to adopt an All Blacks’ style rest policy next year, forcing big-name players to skip Super Rugby matches so they will be fresh for their World Cup campaign.
Wallabies management are negotiating with Super clubs around the specifics of the resting policy but it is likely key stars will be made to sit out at least two games during the 2019 season.
This policy has been used by New Zealand for many years to ensure the All Blacks have the best chance of winning Test matches, and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is likely to get support from Rugby Australia to have Super coaches put the national team first in a World Cup year.
This would avoid the farcical scenario this year when a Brumbies side struggling win games and sell tickets defied Cheika’s request to rest David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa six days before the first Test against Ireland.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar chose to play them, but only for one half.
Talks between Cheika and the state coaches are understood to be well advanced to avoid this happening again next year.
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper, who will be among the players rested next year, said it is important to have firm clarity well before the Super season starts.
“We won’t know what that looks like until maybe end of next month, or start of next year, when we have a real good look at the schedule,” Hooper said.
“But I think it’s a good thing for players and I think it’s a good thing for both clubs as well because it’s knowledge that you can really plan out your year as a player and a club.
“With planning, and if we do rest players, then you’ve got a chance to see some depth and build depth within your squad at a club level, which I think’s hugely important as well, rather than relying on the same guys every week.
“I think you see in some Super Rugby games this year when someone has gone out with injury or maybe rested there that someone eels comes in and the weight’s given to him and he takes it and runs with it.
“So, I think it’s a great showing for our program and confidence within our programs at Super Rugby level as well that we’re able to do that and trending in the right direction.
“There’s quite a few factors there to bring in. I’m sure the players will be having input as well as those guys you mentioned, S&C (strength and conditioning), coaching staff at a Wallaby level definitely, and working to get the best outcome and who’s going to be managed where.”
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Originally published as Star Wallabies to miss Super Rugby matches ahead of World Cup
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