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Selection calamities for the Wallabies have dominated discussion this week, and we’re sure you have plenty of questions and opinions on the whole situation for this week’s edition of Coach’s Corner.
For the first-timers: every week, Nick Bishop, The Roar’s resident rugby expert, answers all your questions from the rugby world in his column.
Miss the latest issue of Coach’s Corner? Catch up right here!
A week out from the second match of their Spring Tour against Scotland, the Wallabies suddenly find themselves in a sticky situation.
With Quade Cooper joining Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon in opting out of the European leg of the tour, Dave Rennie is short-staffed at the most inopportune time. Making matters worse, their Japanese clubs’ hardline stance on their players, and Rennie’s reluctance to enforce ‘regulation nine’ rules, looks set to make planning for the World Cup in two years’ time particularly fraught.
What did you make of the replacements – in particular Kurtley Beale, drafted in from the Top 14 for his first Test since 2019? Agree with the selection, or is the Cooper situation a strong reminder to Australian rugby that picking international players can be a risky business?
>> Check out the new-look Wallabies Spring Tour squad
Along with Beale, Noah Lolesio has been sent an SOS to join the squad from Australia, with Rennie forced to return home for backup number 10 options despite wanting to avoid it. It means Lolesio gets the spot many felt he deserved on the trip to Europe after all.
Elsewhere, two of the Wallabies’ upcoming opponents started their preparations in vastly different ways… albeit against vastly different opponents too. Scotland were far too good for Tonga, with hat-trick hero Kyle Steyn and debuting winger Rufus McLean stealing the show – both players the Aussies will need to watch out for. Elsewhere, Wales were flattened by the All Blacks to continue their recent form struggles.
Like what you saw from Scotland and Wales… or did you spot a chink in the armour that the Wallabies can exploit when they lock horns?
We’re sure you’ve got plenty of questions for these and many other topics for Nick this Friday. So get asking in the comments below and, of course, check back in right here at The Roar to see the answers.
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.