The Brumbies have defied Wallabies coach Michael Cheika by naming three of their stars at the centre of a tug-of-war between club and country to play this weekend.
David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa are in the starting XV for Sunday’s Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves at GIO Stadium.
The ACT team has been firm about having their best available for the clash since the request came through from Cheika via email a day before they played the Bulls in South Africa last week.
It’s a different approach to Melbourne’s with Rebels coach Dave Wessels admitting Will Genia could have returned from injury against the Blues on Saturday but he wanted to help the Wallabies out.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the saga had been a distraction for the club and the players but believed it was important to take a stand for rugby in Canberra.
“Once I returned to Australia (from South Africa), I got in contact with Michael and we had a discussion,” McKellar said.
“We both understand each other’s positions and in this instance we can’t come to an agreement.
“It’s about winning a football game but also making sure our members, supporters and stakeholders get to see the best version of the Brumbies every week.”
An email was sent to Brumbies members last week, warning the club “may no longer exist” if attendances don’t pick up.
The club has promised to donate $5000 each to three Canberra charities if they reach their targeted crowd of 15,000.
But Cheika has insisted the national team needs to be put first, saying he had made a “common-sense” request, and the Brumbies will draw a big crowd no matter what.
The first Test against Ireland is six days after the Brumbies take to the field and Cheika believes the short turnaround will affect preparations to play the second ranked team in the world.
Tom Banks, Joe Powell and Tevita Kuridrani were all named in the 33-man Test squad but Brumbies coach Dan McKellar wasn’t asked to pull them from the team.
Lock Rory Arnold and promising young hooker Folau Fainga’a are missing the game through suspension but were still picked in the Australian squad.
BRUMBIES: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Andrew Muirhead, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Lachlan McCaffrey, Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Allan Alaalatoa, Connal McInerney, Scott Sio.
Res: Nic Mayhew, Ben Alexander, Richie Arnold, Tom Cusack, Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera, Andrew Smith.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Should be a fun day Fionn, we will be there for sure. Pleased that we ignored the request from Cheika at such short notice, and before anyone complains that I’m putting club before country, yes I am, because I support Wales, and will be cheering on my fellow Celts, Ireland, in the upcoming series.
concerned supporter
Guest
Paul D, You seem to begrudge the energy, marketing, gimmicks? that the Brumbies are displaying in promoting Sunday's game. Are you aware that last years Test Match in Canberra drew less than 15000? 14,229 16/09/17 Rugby Union Test Match: Wallabies v Argentina The Marketing & Promotion by the then ARU was abysmal
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Nah mate I’ll be in Melbourne for the week. Shocking timing for the Wallabies Test, but great timing for the State of Origin. Pretty pumped to be heading along to the MCG for it. Hopefully the Brumbies continue their form from South Africa. It’s been positive. If they do, the Sunwolves will struggle.
Deny a request.
Disobey is not really what they did though. You disobey an order from your boss, you ignore a request.
Fionn
Guest
I think they panicked after only getting 5,000 to the match against the Rebels (as they should panic). I actually have no issue with Cheika requesting. It is in his and the Wallabies' interests to have them their earlier in his eyes, so of course he can make the request. However, there shouldn't be an expectation that the Brumbies will just say yes. It should be good as long as we don't lose now... Will you be attending the Brisbane test?
Fionn
Guest
Apparently it was too complicated to understand
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah apologies Fionn my comment was a little tongue-in-cheek. But it does seem like a strange home game to target. The Sunwolves would be well down the list of crowd drawing teams. But I guess it is a Sunday. My 2 cents on the issue? I have no problem with the Brumbies knocking back the request. I’d be annoyed if the request was sent out at the start of the season and they said no. But Cheika and his team needed to get onto this earlier. Oz teams don’t really have the luxury of resting players. But if they have to, more notice would be nice. Hopefully you get a nice day on Sunday.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Yep. Considering 5 first choice brumbies missing as comparable to over 17 first choice Sunwolves as comparable is right up there with the rest of your logic in jusifying your opinion that the Brumbies are more important than the Wallabies. And while we're at it, none of that has anything to do with your inherant bias against Cheika.....
Fionn
Guest
a) and if the Brumbies play without Faingaa, Arnold, Alaalatoa, Sio and Pocock (5 of their 8 starting forwards, and all of their Wallaby forwards) it won't be the proper Brumbies will it? b) no, I didn't. I implied it would be a much smaller number without them.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
a. The Reds actually played the Sunwolves. The Brumbies are not. b. You have said it. Several times. You just said it right there above.
Fionn
Guest
a) I don't think anyone gave them much of a chance against the Reds either either. When you don't take teams seriously and treat them with disrespect that is when upsets happen. b) no one has ever said that. c) there are not many home matches in a SR season. The Brumbies have been awful all season and are only just starting to play well. Pretty contemptuous towards the fans to not try and give them the best show they can offer.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Right because; a. The Brumbies are a real risk of losing to the heavily depleted Sunwolves at home unless Pocock, AA and Sio play, and b. Nobody will show up to support the Brumbies if these 3 players dont lace up. If either of those things are even close to true, the Brumbies problems are too terminal to fix. And certainly won't be saved by a win or a extra couple of thousand supporters showing up on Sunday...
Fionn
Guest
You're right, that was petty of me. Sorry for that. I should have said, you've already explained the Brumbies are a special case, only they should have to rest their Wallabies (and by that implication risk giving up their last faint hope of making the finals and also of enticing fans to the match).
Fionn
Guest
'This hysteria of “they must play or the Brumbies will be no more” is so over the top its laughable.' No one has said this. What has been said is that they need to boost fan numbers or the club may fold. This match has been heavily promoted as a result. If the Brumbies decide to "rest" three of their top stars (including the crowd's favourite who was away last year and has been injured much of this year) why would the fans turn up when they're being treated with contempt? 'It's really important all you fans attend, this is a super important match for us, however, we're resting Allan and Scotty and Pocock, they're not injured, we're just giving them a rest, no, but seriously this is an important match and you need to come!' Is that really too complicated for you to understand?
Fionn
Guest
Yeah, because that extra half day in camp for three players is going to make such a big difference to the Wallabies' fortunes. RA knew the draw, and RA chose to schedule the first match in Brisbane as opposed to Sydney (where they could definitely have made it on the Sunday).
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Give it a rest Fionn. I've never said that.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
In fact, to be completely honest. I wouldn't even mind if the Tahs were rested this week in the interest of the Wallabies. I have followed the Wallabies my whole life from a young pup. Following the Waratahs is relatively recent. Never having pay TV means I didn't really watch much Super Rugby until 2012. I have no conflict as to what team is more important to me
Fionn
Guest
Good on ya boys. Really looking forward to getting down to the match on Sunday and seeing the boys play. You've been in some splendid form the last few weeks and hopefully you can keep it up and give the home fans something to cheer about. It has been a long and barren season.
Fionn
Guest
Piru, he's said already that the Tahs are a special case. You can't expect the Waratahs to rest players, only other teams.