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Talk of George Smith returning to the Wallabies came as a surprise to his new English club Wasps, but they won’t stand in the champion back-rower’s way if he gets a call up.
Smith, 34, was left out of the Wallabies’ 40-man squad ahead of the opening Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Brisbane on July 18, but coach Michael Cheika revealed this week he’s been in discussion with the 111-Test veteran about playing No.8.
In a bumper year for rugby, culminating with the World Cup in the UK in September-October, Wasps revealed Smith was on stand-by to join the Australian side.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said Smith, who joined the club on a one-year deal from Lyon, would allow the former Brumbies star to play at the World Cup which clashes with the start of the English competition beginning in mid-October.
“When we signed him that wasn’t part of the deal, so they’ve changed the goalposts. We didn’t know that we might lose him for the start of the season,” Young said.
“But being an ex-player, I wouldn’t want to stop someone playing at a World Cup. Even if that wasn’t my mindset, it is clearly stated you can’t stop a player from playing international rugby.
“He’s on stand-by, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that nobody gets injured, but George has got half an eye on it because it would be an unexpected bonus for him.
“If he does go to the World Cup, it’s something we’d deal with. He would certainly go with my blessing.”
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.