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Wallabies 2007 World Cup scrum anchor Guy Shepherdson’s chances of making the 2011 tournament have sunk dramatically after being dropped from the Brumbies squad.
Shepherdson will stay in Canberra and play for the Brumby Runners against West Harbour instead of packing down against the Blues in Auckland after being completely usurped at tight-head by Salesi Ma’afu.
The Brumbies’ signing of rookie Waratahs front-rower Dan Palmer for the 2011 Super 15 has put added heat on the 28-year-old prop.
Shepherdson is contracted until next year but has an option in his favour which the ACT franchise is aware he may act upon.
One most obvious Australian option, which would allow a tilt at the 2011 World Cup, is expansion club Melbourne Rebels but chief executive Brian Waldron on Wednesday said he wasn’t on their radar.
Shepherdson started the Super 14 season with the No.3 jersey against the Western Force but was dropped for round two and Ma’afu has locked down the tight-head position.
Coach Andy Friend said Wednesday’s decision to put Fiji-born Jerry Yanuyanutawa on the bench ahead of Shepherdson was designed to give him much-needed game time.
“Shep hasn’t played a great deal of rugby in the last couple of weeks just given the way I’ve used the bench so this week there’s an opportunity to play 80 minutes for the Runners,” Friend said.
“For his game I felt it was the best thing to get back in there.
“He was our starting tight-head prop last year and I thought he was the best tight-head in the country. He needs to try to find that form again.”
Since the last World Cup, where Australia was outscrummed by England in their quarter-final upset, Shepherdson has fallen well down the pecking order behind Brumbies teammates Ben Alexander and Ma’afu, Waratahs duo Al Baxter and Sekope Kepu, Queensland’s Laurie Weeks and also Matt Dunning at the Western Force.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.