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Peter Samu's future is cloudy thanks to trans-Tasman bitching

1st June, 2018
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Crusaders player Peter Samu runs the ball during the 3rd round Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Canterbury Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, Mar. 11, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
1st June, 2018
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Rugby is the game they play in heaven, until the New Zealand Rugby Union, the Mitre 10 team Tasman, and Rugby Australia combined to make Peter Samu’s life hell.

This exercise is very simple.

Samu was born in Melbourne, he’s an Australian citizen, he wants to become a Wallaby, and has no ambitions to become an All Black.

He’s contracted to the Crusaders until the end of the Super Rugby season, and has signed with the Brumbies for next season.

The Kiwis are treading a different path.

Samu has also signed with Tasman for the Mitre 10 tournament in New Zealand from August to September, and New Zealand Rugby Union has also thrown Samu’s residency in New Zealand into All Black contention.

As a result New Zealand Rugby Union’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum has requested a $50,000 release from the Tasman contract to allow Samu to become a Wallaby against Ireland in the three-Test June window series.

But Rugby Australia has told Lendrum to stick it, Samu should be released for nothing.

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In doing so Rugby Australia has virtually told Wallaby coach Michael Cheika, who wants Samu in his squad, that the 26-year-old flanker isn’t worth $50,000.

Peter Samu

(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

As if Rugby Australia would know, seeing there are many times in decision-making the governing body doesn’t know if it’s Arthur or Martha.

So no-one is backing off, making Samu the unfair – and apparently unwanted – meat in the sandwich.

Only the Crusaders bosses Hamish Riach and Scott Robertson are genuine rugby men, with a sense of fair play.

CEO Riach said – “He’s Australian, he’ committed to the Brumbies next season, the Wallabies want him, and he’s clearly going to play for the Wallabies at some point.

“So we’re quite happy for that to be sooner than later”.

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Coach Robertson was of the same thinking.

“He’s going to be a Wallaby at some stage isn’t he?

“If that’s in June good on him, he’s good enough to be a Wallaby”.

The next step is crystal clear.

New Zealand Rugby Union should order Tasman to back off and release Samu immediately, and Rugby Australia should pay Tasman $20,000 as goodwill for letting Samu go.

Then an ugly and unnecessary Trans Tasman episode can be put to bed, Peter Samu can pull on a gold jersey, and Michael Cheika can smile.

That’s what should have happened a month ago.

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