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Sydney rugby clubs have lashed out at restrictions placed on NSW Waratahs Super 14 players which have made them unavailable for club duties for the next two weeks. Furious club officials say 20 players have been ordered to rest by Waratahs coach Chris Hickey.
But Waratahs management say the reaction is unfounded, with almost one third of the squad available for club selection this week.
Nine Waratahs are tied up with Wallabies or Barbarians commitments, three are involved in the Australian under-20 squad and the remainder are either injured or on “active rest”, which is the official two weeks recovery period under the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) agreement.
Coach Chris Hickey said he is not blocking his players from lining up with their club sides.
“We made the pledge that when players are available they’ll be released back to the Shute Shield, and that will occur even more now that the Super 14 has come to a close for 2009,” Hickey said.
“Obviously there’s a fair percentage of our squad who have been selected for the Wallabies, for the Junior World Cup and for the Barbarians and they aren’t yet available. There’s also a few on the injured list.
“The remainder are on active rest, but the majority of them have chosen to play for their clubs this week which strengthens the competition greatly.”
The eight Waratahs who will appear for their clubs this week are Ben Batger, Matt Carraro, David Dennis, Matt Dunning, Adam Freier (pending injury), Beau Robinson, Chris Thomson and Jeremy Tilse.
Halangahu, Carter and Dennis will line up for Sydney University and join Tilse in the side to take on Eastern Suburbs at home.
Carraro and Kepu will be in action for Randwick at TG Millner Field against an Eastwood outfit which includes Batger, while Dunning is due to return from injury on the bench.
Beau Robinson will skipper a Warringah side which includes 2009 Super 14 rookie Chris Thomson against in-form West Harbour.
Wallabies Benn Robinson, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Luke Burgess, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri and Lachie Turner are taking the chance to freshen up prior to national duties.
Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne and Damien Fitzpatrick have been chosen in the Australian side to contest the under-20 Rugby World Cup.
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.