The inclusion of Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon for the remainder of the Wallabies’ spring tour appears increasingly unlikely, with the duo reportedly set to miss the U.K. leg of the tour and remain in Japan with club Suntory Sungoliath.
A foxsports.com.au report on Tuesday said the duo had not travelled to Brighton with the remainder of Dave Rennie’s squad, suggesting negotiations with Suntory had stalled after Wallabies officials had opted for the diplomatic approach when it came to securing the release of its Japan-based stars.
That contingent also includes Quade Cooper, who did play in the Wallabies’ 32-23 victory over Japan, though Rennie had offered a firm “yes” when asked whether his fly-half would be on the plane to England.
A Rugby Australia spokesperson told ESPN they could shed no light on the situation, while attempts to reach Wallabies management garnered no response, which is not unexpected given the time difference with Britain.
McMahon’s Instagram story appeared to suggest he, at least, remained in Japan as of Monday night.
If Kerevi has played his last Test for 2021, the Wallabies’ hopes of victory against Scotland, England and Wales will take a significant hit such has been the centre’s impact since his return to the international arena.
The former Queensland Reds captain was a key figure in each of the Wallabies’ four Rugby Championship wins, firstly over South Africa on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, and then Argentina in the closing two weeks of the tournament. His hard-running and ability to get Australia on the front foot allowed Cooper to play with greater restraint.
But Kerevi’s absence in Oita on the weekend was telling, with Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau combining for just 27 run metres between them, with Cooper often finding himself in heavy defensive traffic as a result.
It is believed Kerevi had been made available for the Japan Test by Suntory — given the match was outside the designated window the club was within its rights to deny him the opportunity — but given he was yet to fully recover from an ankle injury, Wallabies staff erred on the side of caution.
Rennie had, prior to Saturday’s win, spoken of trying to build relationships with Japanese clubs, that Australia did not merely want to enforce “Regulation 9” when it came to the Wallabies’ change in direction on the selection of overseas-based players.
While the findings of a review into changing the Giteau Law are still to be revealed, there is nothing stopping the Wallabies from demanding the release of both Kerevi and McMahon under Regulation 9 which can be enforced during designated international windows.
When Suntory first signed Kerevi and McMahon, the duo was not eligible to play for the Wallabies under the detail of the Giteau Law in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
That situation has clearly changed however and while the club may have been happy for both players to participate in the Rugby Championship, any Wallabies involvement over the next four weeks would eat into Suntory’s preseason for the Japanese Top League, which kicks off Jan. 7.
All three players have however spoken of wanting to do right by their Japanese clubs when weighing up any decision to play for the Wallabies. Given the ongoing discussions Rennie mentioned last week, Tuesday’s report suggests Kerevi and McMahon, at least, have heeded Suntory’s reservations and will now instead set themselves for the club’s preseason.
The situation revives memories of the “club vs. country” struggle, which has often hamstrung Pacific Island nations at this time of year or at the World Cup when teams have attempted to influence players from refusing international selection.
It is relatively new ground for the Wallabies, however, which is perhaps why officials had first attempted the diplomatic route of securing the availability of Cooper, Kerevi and McMahon.
The potential loss of Kerevi may present the opportunity for Izaia Perese to make his Test debut, with Rennie last week indicating he would be “a chance” to face Scotland on the back of two further weeks’ familiarisation with the Wallabies’ structures.
Australia are otherwise fighting an injury crisis at fullback with Reece Hodge having suffered a pectoral injury against the Brave Blossoms on the weekend.
With Tom Banks already sidelined, the Wallabies may turn to either Andrew Kellaway or Jordan Petaia at fullback for Saturday week’s Test against Scotland, while it is expected the squad will be bolstered by further reinforcements from Europe.