1
The England phonecall that was final straw for Christian Wade
Former England and Wasps winger Christian Wade admits his frustration with England selection got to the point where he didn’t even bother answering the phone to then head coach Stuart Lancaster.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wade, who was recently released by the Buffalo Bills after three years in the NFL, is now assessing his options in both codes as a free agent. The 31-year-old could yet return to rugby, despite exiting the sport exasperated by his lack of recognition at Test level.
Despite a proven ability as a tryscorer, Wade was continually overlooked by successive England coaching regimes.
Speaking to the ‘Giving the Game Away’ podcast, Wade says he was tired of the ‘BS’ reasons for his exclusion from the national squad, citing one such incident in the lead up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, that would prove a turning point in his mind.
England hammered the Barbarians 73 – 12 in Twickenham in the summer of 2015, with Wade scoring a hattrick of tries after running riot against the famous invitational club. Yet still it wasn’t enough for the Wasps flyer to break into England wider 50-man World Cup squad under Lancaster.
“We killed them. I scored a hattrick. And that was kind of our trial for the 50-man World Cup squad.
“After the game, as usual, no one was really saying anything to me. About two weeks later I had a call from Lancaster.
ADVERTISEMENT
“At that point I didn’t pick up. I was like why are you calling me? I listened to the voicemail he left and he said ‘Hey mate, good game the other day. Some good tries as usual. But we’re going to go with Rokoduguni for the 50-man squad because we want to see how he goes, you’ve had your opportunity.’
“In my head I’m like what do you mean? How can you go from somebody in the squad because I’ve had my opportunity.
“That’s why I didn’t pick up. I knew it was going to be some BS to be honest.”
Wade admits not making the home World Cup was the final straw for his England career.
“For sure. From there I was just like… if since a kid all you wanted to do was play for England, and that’s all they push down on us, play for England, play for England. But then to play for England is based on one guy’s decision about whether you play or not.
“Now I’m not knocking any individuals, but at the same time, what are you basing your selections on? If you’ve got somebody who is at the top of their game, killing everybody, making fans on the edge of their seats the whole game… this is stuff I’m just reading, I’m not trying to big myself up. I don’t even care about that stuff.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I just got to that point where I was like – I’m not going to keep trying to please this one man.”@ChristianWade3 speaks honestly about his mindset shift after being overlooked by @EnglandRugby. pic.twitter.com/UcsB4N0GRP
— Giving The Game Away (@GTGAMedia) June 10, 2022
“All I care is that if you’re the best player, that person should have the opportunity to show what you can do on that stage.
“I just got to the point where I’m not going to keep trying to please this one man because that’s not why I’m playing this game in the first place.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“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?
11 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.
9 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 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
4 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.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments