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Australia's 'cynical attempt' to reduce Darcy Swain's impending ban
The presence of one Darcy Swain in the recently announced Australia A side for their three-game series in Japan has raised a few eyebrows on both sides of the ditch.
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Swain received a yellow card in the Wallabies’ most recent defeat at the hands of the All Blacks for a dangerous breakdown clear-out and was cited after the match.
The widely held view is that Swain will be handed a ban for the offence that will keep him out of a set number of competitive matches in the near future. A ban of four matches or more would prevent him from playing any part on the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour, where they are due to take on Scotland, France, Italy and Ireland.
Having been named in the Australia A squad for their trip to Japan, Swain could complete three of his potentially mandatory stand-downs in October, limiting the number of matches he’s unavailable for when the Wallabies head north.
The decision to name Swain in the squad has understandably been met with some criticism on social media, given that Swain has been a full-squad member of the top Wallabies side for the entirety of the season. As such, many believe that he was not due to be named in the Australia A side until it became likely that the utility forward would be handed a ban.
Darcy Swain named in Australia A squad to play 3 games in Japan before Wallabies Spring tour. Looks like a cynical attempt to lessen impact of potential ban.
— Paul Cully (@paulcullystuff) September 21, 2022
I think I’ve now lost whatever respect I had left for the @wallabies. Their behaviour the past few weeks has been despicable
— Malcolm Wesley (@mmolver86) September 21, 2022
Absolutely shocking from @wallabies !
The irony! Seems a clear effort to time waste and reduce the ban of Darcy Swain!
But the @wallabies don’t time waste ?? https://t.co/r41fqBq4sh
— Brian (@Ringbrian88) September 21, 2022
Pure shithousery to name Darcy Swain fully knowing he's likely copping a big ban if guilty tonight https://t.co/w97APeT4Vo
— The Dropped Kick-Off (@DroppedKickOff_) September 21, 2022
Quite daring of you to name that thug Darcy Swain when you know he’ll be banned from playing
— Malcolm Wesley (@mmolver86) September 21, 2022
Why was Darcy swain named in the Australian A squad that is travelling to Japan is this to cover his games ban
— Schimanski (@ThatSchimanski) September 21, 2022
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There are some who believe that Swain’s selection is entirely above board and that he was always a chance to play for Australia A given the ‘depth’ the Wallabies possess in the second row.
Or maybe with other players back from injury he is not getting selected for the tour.
— BDC4171 (@Barnaby_Chivers) September 21, 2022
I don’t think it is unreasonable that might legit be sending him back to Aus A for more experience he clearly needs. Has potential but needs to focus his game and clean it up. Aus A is the spot for that not Wallabies.
— Bart Willis (@bartinoheat) September 21, 2022
Is cynical the right word? Lonergan, Frost, Pone, Neville all picked. Definitely strategic, but don’t think it’s outside realms of possibility that he was being picked Anyway
— rory shortball (@RShortball) September 21, 2022
Fox Sports’ Christy Doran takes a slightly different stance, believing it’s simply a smart move on the Wallabies’ behalf:
Tom Banks included in 34-man Australia A. His World Cup dream still alive.
He’s one of 12 capped Wallabies.
Darcy Swain in there as well. Smart play Wallabies given judiciary to come.
Young guns Teddy Wilson and Max Jorgensen (development) included, too.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) September 21, 2022
The outcome of Swain’s judicial appointment is set to be confirmed in the coming hours.
Comments on RugbyPass
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
35 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
35 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
35 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
10 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
35 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
21 Go to comments