Why Id pick Cooper Kerevi and McMahon again in a heartbeat
It’s hard not to feel that Wallabies trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon have been trapped in the middle of an ad hoc Rugby Australia selection experiment and a fragile player release system that is rather loosely overseen by World Rugby.
There is a temptation to label the trio as loyal first to the yen and second to the Wallaby jersey on account of their withdrawal from the spring tour, a decision that should prevent them from being picked again.
Sorry, I’m not buying that. Perhaps once upon a time the accusation might have stuck with Cooper, but I saw the new version of Cooper put his head over the ball in some dark places against Japan in Oita last weekend. For mine, the No.10 is all in.
As for Kerevi, he doesn’t need to explain himself to anyone. His physical presence in midfield turned the Wallabies from cruiserweights to heavyweights in an instant. I’d argue there isn’t a more influential Test player in rugby.
The case with McMahon is perhaps a touch more clouded, but there is no doubt that had circumstances been different he would have put it all on the line against Scotland, England and Wales.
Instead, the three players have been put in the extraordinary position of having to be the bearer of bad tidings because none of the other parties - the Wallabies, the Japanese clubs, or World Rugby - really want to take responsibility.
There can be little doubt Quade Cooper has given his all since his stunning Wallabies recall.Credit:Getty
The game’s governing body has been absent from the debate about the trio’s decision to skip matches in a World Rugby Test window, even though the players felt under some sort of pressure - implied or otherwise - to stay in Japan.
When contacted by the Herald and The Age, a World Rugby spokesman said they would not be commenting, instead pointing to a process in which they would only get involved if Rugby Australia first tried and failed to resolve the issue with the JRFU.
In other words the ball is in Rugby Australia’s court. However, with Rugby Australia in ‘make friends and influence people’ mode as it tries to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup hosting rights, where is the sense in them taking such action? It would invariably involve annoying the Japanese clubs and/or the players. The smart play would be to say nothing and let the dust settle.
And, when it does, it is to be hoped that the players don’t have their cards marked. It has been well documented that Rugby Australia will look at its eligibility rules at the end of year. Whatever the outcome of that review, if they arrive at an outcome that prevents Kerevi, in particular, from playing for the Wallabies, it will be a spectacular case of shooting the messenger.
Wallabies big man Samu Kerevi may have become the most influential player in Test rugby.Credit:Getty
The bigger picture here is that the supposed sanctity of Test rugby isn’t as robust as we might like to think, although this is the oldest of old news to Pacific Islands nations.
The following is a story recently told to the Herald, and although there are significant differences to the case involving the Wallabies trio, it does highlight how deeply rooted the idea of ‘commodification’ has become in some clubs.
An Olympic gold medallist from Fiji wanted to play for the Drua in Super Rugby. However, a family member in Fiji signed a contract on his ‘behalf’ to play for a French club. Upset, the player did not want to go, so the French club threatened him with legal action unless he presented to training by a certain date.
Granted, the player’s family member did him little favour, but if you take a step back from this situation it becomes extremely clear how appalling it is. But, sadly, that is how some clubs - and we are not accusing the Japanese sides of this - view their players.
The Wallabies may now struggle against Scotland, England and Wales. Cooper’s increased maturity and Kerevi’s punch would have allowed them to get out of some tight spots. Three wins seemed like a realistic goal, but the Wallabies would now probably settle for two.
There may be frustration at that - anger even. But if there is, it cannot be aimed at the three players.
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