Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is hopeful an amicable solution can be struck with the Brumbies over the availability of three of their star players this weekend.
Cheika has made what he says is a “common-sense” request for the Super Rugby franchise to sideline David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa from Sunday’s crucial home clash against the Sunwolves so they can rest and prepare for Australia’s first Test against Ireland.
The Brumbies are desperate for the trio to play, not only to boost their chances of winning but also to boost flagging crowds at GIO Stadium.
If the Brumbies reach their targeted crowd of 15,000 on Sunday, they will donate $5000 each to three Canberra charities.
It comes after an email was sent to members last week from chief executive Michael Thomson and chairman Phil Thomson, who warned the club “may no longer exist” if attendances don’t pick up.
Cheika insisted he had “no beef” with the Brumbies but said the Wallabies needed to be put first.
“I don’t think the six-day turnaround is the right thing in regards to getting these guys right to play a Test match against the number two nation in the world, the grand slam champions, a team that’s been in camp and ready to go,” he said.
“I’m hoping that we can work it out together because I know that the Brumbies have been very, very supportive of the national program and of us being involved with them all season.
“Sometimes you’ve got to have an aligned conflict to get to the right outcome and I respect those guys a lot and I’m sure we’re going to try and find a way to get this resolved.”
The other three Australian franchises all play on Saturday and haven’t been asked to rest any players.
The Brumbies will already be without Wallabies lock Rory Arnold and promising young hooker Folau Fainga’a for the match due to suspension.
Those two were also among eight players from the ACT club who were named on Wednesday night in Cheika’s 33-man squad for the Ireland series.
“We started out we would like to have the eight (rested) and we worked our way backwards,” Cheika said.
“I also took into consideration the fact that the Sunwolves will be resting all of their Japanese international players for the match and I’d be backing the Brumbies in the form that they’re in and the players they’ve got to go on and beat the Sunwolves regardless.”
piru
Roar Rookie
and the late notice?
PeterK
Roar Guru
the other teams play on saturday not sunday so they get into camp sunday
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Bugger Chekko ; they are not that important particularly when Pocock is not at 7 .
DucatiButcher
Guest
Cheika is a joke, Brumbies MUST rest players but no other Australian franchise has to.
piru
Roar Rookie
The reasoning makes no sense if it's not also being applied to the other teams Did Cheika only just realise this week? You mentioned centralisation above, when the NZRU rested players mid season it was known about before round 1
Fionn
Guest
The last direct flight departs at 7.30pm. 40 mins earlier is 6.50 - given the match should finish by 6, that should be enough time. Especially since surely they should be able to ask Qantas to bend the 40 mins earlier rule? I know it isn't ideal, but surely recovery stuff can be done in Brisbane?
Fionn
Guest
I do still support centralisation, by the way, even if it meant that in future situations such as this RA could force the Brumbies to rest such players. As a Wallabies fan I think the Brumbies should rest them. As a Brumbies fan I think the Brumbies should play them. As a general Australian rugby fan I am not sure what the Brumbies should do - should they put themselves + Super Rugby before the Wallabies, or vice versa? I empathise with all sides here.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the reason given is the brumbies players won't get into wallaby camp until Monday and thats too late
PeterK
Roar Guru
true it is possible for them to top the oz conference if rebels and tahs lose 2/4 games each and brumbies win all 4 of their games so yes fair enough they shouldn't have to rest their players. Agree.
piru
Roar Rookie
So on a weekend where the Brumbies have tried to make a singular effort to get as big a crowd as possible, the Australian coach, with strong ties to NSW, has asked that they rest their best players. 1) Do the Brumbies fans not matter? 2) Why has he not asked the same of the Reds and Waratahs, who are playing what would appear to be a tougher match?
Fionn
Guest
Péter, even ignoring the fact that from the Brumbies' point of view I still wouldn't rest players even if they were, is it even true the Brumbies are mathematically out contention to make the finals? At a glance at the ladder I would have that, however unlikely it may be, they would still be in mathematical contention to make the finals and even top the conference if they won all remaining match and most with BPs if other results fell their way.
Phil
Guest
BB,I think if the Brumbies were in contention for a spot in the Super play offs then he would not have asked them to rest players.If the so called Brumbies fans don't turn out regardless of who's playing,then it means they don't really care if they stay in the comp or not.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Brumbies can't make the finals AND they are playing the bottom team that is resting 17 players. Cheika hasn't known that long that the sunwolves players were rested.
Fionn
Guest
I do know it, but I believe that had that's been the case they would have forced the franchises to start a week earlier. Also, I'm still not sure that RA would order the Brumbies to do it. Cheika could ask them to but does not mean they would do it. Also, also, if they were doing it then I doubt they would only force the Brumbies to do it.
piru
Roar Rookie
If my grandmother had wheels...
PeterK
Roar Guru
Fionn - I believe you are a supporter of the nz model of central contracting. Do you realise that if that were the case then RA in this case would direct those players to be rested.
PeterK
Roar Guru
considering 8 brumbies have been selected Sio, Folau, Alaalatoa, Arnold, Pocock, Powell, Kuridrani and Banks. 2 are suspended. Cheika has no issue with Powell, Kurdirani and Banks playing (points to none of them being in the 23 or at least not starting). I would allow Pocock to play since he needs more match time. It would be fair to rest Sio and AAA as a compromise or only play them last 20 mins rather than a whole half.
Fionn
Guest
No, you're speaking nonsense. If the Waratahs were saying 'fans, we need a huge crowd, come out this Sunday to watch! Oh, but we're resting Hooper, Folau and Beale - they're not injured, we're just giving them a little rest - but you should still come!' then there is no way on planet earth they would get the same number of fans attending the match as if those three played. Also, I haven't checked the maths but is it even mathematically impossible for the Brumbies to make the finals of they win every match with a bonus point and other results go their way?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
"I note that’s you haven’t replied to my above comment" Because its crap. And this discussion has run it's course. You obviously consider having a full strength side against the Sunwolves B side as more important than a reasonable request to give 3 players a rest in a lead up to a test match.
Fionn
Guest
There is also zero chance of the Waratahs folding. Interesting that Cheik hasn't made the same request of the Reds. Eh? And yes, I know your excuse about people complaining about favouritism but tough. I note that's you haven't replied to my above comment. Pretty clear that the decision to rest three of the Waratahs' biggest stars would impact spectator numbers. Treating the fans with contempt means the fans won't pay their money to attend.