I don't think we, as fans, always expect players to return too fast from injury, but the history of Wallaby selections over the years indicates the coaching staff do.
I'd say it's just a product of our depth. Kerevi at his best is by far and above our best 12 (and perhaps best player)- hence the need to get him back in the squad ASAP. We don't have the midfield riches that NZ or SA do. Look at Lukhanyo Am's initial non-selection on injury grounds. FFS we took an injured 19-year-old to France.
But fans rioted when Cooper & Hooper weren’t picked for those exact reasons
Yeah, the Cooper and Hooper fans, sure. Those were two correct decisions imo - the real issue was that Jones then failed to include another fit No 10 in the squad. McReight did good replacing Michael.
Its the double standard that makes no sense.
Who's made the announcement for the presser - RA or Eddie? if it's RA, I reckon he's staying. Coogee Oval sounds like a bit of a sentimental location though, maybe for a farewell.
I mostly agree Ghost. I wasn't suggesting the Wallabies would have made the finals with a fit backup 10, just that the failure to take one was a bigger issue than leaving Quade behind. There were many reasons for the failed operation including playing Petaia at 13 when he clearly didn't understand the defensive aspects of the position, and consequently adopting a defence pattern in the backs that did not work, overtraining the team which led to injuries to our most important forwards, adopting a game plan that saw us work with around a third of possession, failing to replace injured players in the squad, etc etc.
right now
