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Samu opens up on 'disappointing' Wallabies axing under Cheika
Wallabies star Pete Samu has lifted the lid on his axing from the Australian national squad by former head coach Michael Cheika in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup.
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Samu missed selection for the World Cup after being dropped from the Wallabies by Cheika despite the latter successfully advocated for the loose forward to return to Australian rugby from the Crusaders in 2018.
Prior to that, Samu had spent five years playing first-class rugby in New Zealand for the Christchurch-based Super Rugby franchise and Tasman in the NPC.
Born and raised in Melbourne, the 29-year-old loose forward had struggled for professional playing opportunities in Australia before making the move across the ditch.
That move proved to be a fruitful one for Samu, who helped the Crusaders clinch back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2017 and 2018 before going on to make his test debut against Ireland on Australian soil three years ago.
His maiden selection in the Wallabies came in spite of the fact he played his club rugby abroad, which is an indication of how highly-regarded was by Cheika, who helped lure Samu back to the Brumbies ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby season.
When that campaign kicked off, Samu had nine tests to his name after establishing himself as a key Wallabies squad member the year beforehand, but he didn’t feature at all for Australia in 2019.
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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Samu said he received no communication from Cheika or the Wallabies about his sudden omission, which ultimately robbed him of the chance of playing at that year’s World Cup in Japan.
However, according to the Herald, Cheika was left dismayed by Samu’s decision to attend a family wedding instead of a Wallabies training camp earlier that year.
As a result, Samu wasn’t considered for selection by Cheika for the remainder of his five-year tenure as Wallabies boss, which came to an end when Australia were bundled out in the World Cup quarter-finals by England.
Samu labelled the manner in which he was dropped as “disappointing” as he reaffirmed his decision to choose family over rugby as the right one to the Herald.
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“It was pretty disappointing, and I didn’t get much comms around that. It was a big deal [missing out] but being home … it worked out. I got to spend a lot more time at home,” Samu said.
Former Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans has leapt to the defence of the Springboks in the wake of heavy criticism aimed at their conservative style of play. #Springboks #RugbyChampionship #TRC2021 https://t.co/RpPQfD6DMh
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“I’m always about the family first. If I was to pick footy or family, it’d be family. If that’s the reason why I got shafted then yeah, I don’t know what to say about that.
“Being at home it was always good to be around family. It didn’t work out on the footy field, but it was a real positive being back at home and being around family. I’d love to play at a World Cup at the back-end of my career.”
Since Chieka’s departure, Samu has re-established himself as a core member of the Wallabies set-up under new head coach Dave Rennie.
Since coming onboard as Australian boss last year, Rennie has handed Samu a further five tests, most of which have been off the bench as an impact player.
That will change this weekend, though, as Samu will start his first test since last year’s Bledisloe Cup-opening 16-all draw against the All Blacks in Wellington when the Wallabies face off against Los Pumas on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Clayton McMillan on:
– Warren Gatland
– Losing to the Highlanders
– Josh Ioane and player recruitment
– Long-term plans for the Chiefshttps://t.co/zYKkthIOPP— Tom Vinicombe (@TomVinicombe) October 2, 2021
Not only will it be just his fifth start in the green-and-gold jersey, but it will also be the first time he has started a test at blindside flanker.
Normally a No 8, Samu will line up in a back row comprised of in-form loose forwards Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini, while returning Japan-based star Sean McMahon will provide cover off the bench.
Those names reflect Australia’s depth and competition for places in the loose forwards as they eye their fourth win on the trot, a feat they haven’t achieved since their seven-test unbeaten run in 2017.
If the Wallabies are to replicate their last successful run during the Cheika era, Samu is likely to play a prominent role in doing so.
“[To beat Argentina] we’ve just got to stick to our game plan and make sure we’re playing in the right end of the field for most of the game,” he said.
Comments on RugbyPass
Yet, according to Jake White and other twonks who think better, Jenkins shouldn’t be picked by the boks. Daft.
3 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments