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Michael Cheika’s call for Liam Gill to stay with Australian rugby has been picking up momentum over the past few days, with the Reds weighing in on the conversation.
Wallabies coach Cheika challenged Gill to take the role of David Pocock, telling him there is an opportunity to make it back to the green and gold. Gill hasn’t played for Australia since 2013.
Gill announced in February that he would leave Australia to pursue playing in French rugby in 2017.
“That’s the part I don’t think anyone has thought about too much. There are players there who will get that opportunity in his absence, and get the taste for his Australian jersey and his Brumbies jersey when he is away.”
“I will be calling Liam Gill and trying to get him to change his mind,” Cheika told the Daily Telegraph.
“He made a decision, I know, but it is not going to hurt me to spend the money to get on the phone, or better still go up and see him, and say: “You have got to stay. Here is an opportunity for you.”
“Even this year I believe he will get some time. He hasn’t started the season on the field because he’s been a bit injured, but he is a class player. That keeps everyone on their toes.”
Cheika’s comments come in the wake of David Pocock’s decision to take a break from Australian rugby in 2017, leaving the door open for a backrower to take his spot. Gill was often seen as one of the premier on-ball flankers in Australia. He plays a similar role as Pocock, and could fit into Cheika’s preferred structure from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, depending on the performances of players like Sean McMahon and Michael Hooper.
Yesterday, Reds co-coach Michael O’Connor told the media he would be interesting in exploring the idea, but didn’t put any pressure on Gill to change his mind.
“He’s a quality player,” O’Connor said.
“We’ve missed his presence around the ball over the last couple of rounds, so if there is an opportunity for that to happen we will have to wait and see.
“But at this stage he has made his intentions pretty clear that he wants a break from Australian rugby and we will have to have that conversation down the road.”
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.