I realise that, was more just having a dig at the arrogance of his manager. That said, his week in week out gig is the Waratahs, he still has to perform there - he will no doubt get auto selected in initial Wallabies squads but still then has to get selected in the match day squad. Personally I think that will happen pretty quickly off his own merit, not because of his contract.
On that side it’s true. But if there are 20 players out there on top up’s that aren’t in the RWC squad. Why are they getting top ups?
Are top-ups for the length of a contract, or are they reviewed at certain intervals? Anyone know? Does seem like a concerning stat.
Yeah pretty sure it’s length of contract. Each time a player gets signed up with a top up it’s a dual contract with the Super club and RA.
It’s a reflection of the leeway that Jones was given from Rugby Australia more than anything else. A competent organization would have had some checks/ balances and asked questions.
I disagree there, whatever you think of Jones' selections the coach should never be forced to pick a player they don't think is up to it just because they're on a top up.
How many players on top would have come in if Rennie had picked the squad? Hooper, Lolesio, Swain, Holloway maybe?
Arguably players on top ups like Vunivalu and Uelese would've been left out, so it wouldn't have even shifted the needle that far.
I’m in the fortunate position of being able to benefit from hindsight. Players like J Gordon and Swinton have top ups and would likely have been picked for the World Cup under Rennie. The Wallabies performed better when these guys were getting picked.
Gordon should never have had a top up, he hasn't ever played well enough at international level to justify it. Swinton would've been unlikely to make the squad given how little rugby he played at super level.
Along with Neville, Samu, Wright and as Eastman said, probably Swinton. A fair number of the rest would have been through injury.
