Days after Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had vowed to change his mind, Liam Gill says he will stick with his decision to leave for France after the Super Rugby season.
Gill and skipper James Slipper are set to return from injury for the winless Reds on Sunday in their Suncorp Stadium clash with the NSW Waratahs.
And a Wallabies return also appeared on the horizon for Gill after Cheika claimed he would try to change the openside flanker’s mind about his overseas move.
Gill has played 15 Tests off the bench but not been picked for the Wallabies since 2013.
However, Cheika sees Gill as an ideal replacement for Wallabies flanker David Pocock who will take a sabbatical from rugby in 2017.
But Gill said on Wednesday he was committed to his two-year deal with Toulon after the Super Rugby season.
“I had to make my decision, I made it, I’m sticking with it and now it’s time to play out the season and have one last crack for the Reds for the time being,” Gill said.
“I’m more focused on trying to play the back end of the season.”
Gill missed the first four rounds due to injury but hoped to return for one last crack at NSW rival Michael Hooper.
“It might be the last time I get to play the Waratahs, so that is something I’m really excited about,” he said.
“It’s a huge game for us to really try and turn the year around.
“If we can get a result … it will change the way this year’s going.”
The Reds also hope to welcome back Slipper, who has spent the past five months recovering from shoulder and knee surgery.
“Call it a mid-season oil change,” Slipper said of the shoulder reconstruction and knee clean-out he underwent after the World Cup.
“I am confident I will get through (fitness test).
“We are playing NSW – the motivation is certainly there.”
soapit
Guest
yep so ur saying bench is all he's being offered (not really pococks role typically).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They both were in their first test squads in 2012 and both debuted in 2012. Hooper debuted mid year whilst Gill was in the Under 20s. Both squads were named in May. I doubt that if Dean's wanted to select Gill, he was told he would be playing 20s over wallabies.
Bakkies
Guest
Gill has been held back by injuries. He was also in the test squad before Hooper lost his spot to him due to injuries and not form.
Bakkies
Guest
Wallabies usually field two opensides in the match day squad
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I think you're wrong. Only because Gill and Hooper started their careers at the same time. One took his shot and never looks back. The other was not at all poor but never had the same impact in his chances.
Bakkies
Guest
Good luck with just two locks jumping and minimal power in the back three at scrum time
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Yep. Realism form Gill. Playing for pay.
soapit
Guest
thing i dont understand about all this is how gill could be pococks replacement in the wallabies given hes playing number 8. is cheika saying gill would come in at 8 as well? if not gills long odds to get a start regardless of pococks situation no matter what cheika said. perhaps he ws offering him a bench spot? bench for a year until pocock comes bak isnt surprising why he stuck to the french plan
soapit
Guest
i doubt he's that insecure about his opinion
Not Bothered
Guest
He may have said "Sure Hooper keeps winning awards and gets nominated for best player in the entire world but hey, I will pick you instead because....well for no reason...and only if Sean isnt fit...or Poey...and I guess Hodgson too".
Squirrel
Guest
Love to see McMahon Pocock and Hooper at the one time just obliterate England thru speed
Dave_S
Guest
Yeah if I was Gill I would be going.
Zig Zag
Roar Rookie
It sounds strange but I think that Gill is more suited to test Rugby than he is to Super Rugby. The Wallabies were in desperate need of a 7 who was strong over the ball defensively when Pocock was out injured for a couple of test seasons, someone to compliment Fardy. While Hooper is a great ball of energy and a dynamic carrier being consistently able to slow or steal ball in test match rugby isn't his thing, look at the difference to the Wallabies when Pocock is playing, he genuinely shifts the momentum in games and has a direct influence on outcomes.I think the coaches even conceded they struggle to win big test matches when he is not on the field? Thats why I think Gill is a better direct replacement for Pocock than McMahon, who is a punishing tackler and strong runner but not in Gills class when it comes to being a street wise constant threat overt the footy. Gill would be a good starting 7 and McMahon would perhaps be ideal on the bench being able to cover 7 and 6 bringing his hard edge and dynamic abilities in carry and tackle later in the game if needed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Cheika can say what he wants but I'm sure any player is smart enough to realize that they are going to struggle to oust players who have performed great in their test chances. As a Reds fan I think it's terrible to lose Gill, but he just isn't at the same level as Hooper, Pocock and McMahon.
Brett McKay
Expert
oui..
Paul
Guest
Never took French, but perhaps "au revoir"?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Haha Brett... yep pretty sure that's how it went down! :)
Brett McKay
Expert
"Gilly, now that Poey's having a year off, you're next in line. Don't throw it away, you have to stay, mate." "What about Sean McMahon? "Oh. Yeah. Right. Forgot about him..." "Bonjour, Cheik..."
PeterKyle
Guest
It's clear he is only going because of Richard graham. Damn you graham!!
Adsa
Guest
It will be great to see him back for Qld this week. Obviously Cheika words to Gill were not convincing. They probably went along the lines of ' I will continue to pick Hooper, but you are a chance if he is injured'!