Wallabies face daunting UK tour as Japan based stars feel “hurt” and “betrayed”
Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi have both taken to social media today to address their withdrawal from the Australia squad in order to return to their Japanese clubs.
The pair, alongside loose forward Sean McMahon, have pulled out of the Wallabies’ Tests against Scotland, England and Wales, leaving Dave Rennie’s squad in a precarious position.
All three have been called back into the Test fold this year following various absences, with Cooper and Kerevi starring in the side’s resurgence in the back end of the Rugby Championship. There will be a gaping gap in the midfield now that Rennie will struggle to fill. Both players spoke out about this ordeal on Instagram on Thursday, with Cooper saying he is “hurt” and Kerevi saying he feels “angry, sad, confused, betrayed.” The centre also seemed to be withholding what he truly wanted to say.
Cooper wrote: “My growth as a man is being able to admit I’m hurt. It hurts that I won’t be on tour to Europe with my teammates, especially after experiencing so much growth and overcoming challenges each week. I’m hurt that I couldn’t please everyone and keep both my employer and country happy.
“But although I am hurting now, the happiness I feel from my journey to this point far outweighs the hurt. I am so thankful to everyone, from my club Hanazono Kintetsu Liners for allowing me to play for Australia again, to Renz and the Wallabies staff for inviting me in to what proved to be an incredible atmosphere and for all your efforts the past few months but most of all to my teammates and brothers. We challenge each other to be better each day and as a result we saw enormous growth both as men and as athletes. Thank you for making the last few months possible. This journey has no finish line and my efforts to continue to walk this path will not change…”
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Kerevi wrote: “I’ve changed what I’ve wanted to write on this post many times. I’ve felt angry, sad, confused, betrayed but mostly Heart Broken.
“I’m trying my best to let God take control instead of letting my emotions take over ..
But be careful, God has a way of bringing out the TRUTH one way or the other. He has his ways of Humbling us all!
“I thank my club Sungoliath for allowing me this opportunity during my holiday to continue to pursue that dream.
“I cherish my time in the Wallaby Gold and having this opportunity to again represent this country has been amazing. Most importantly my team mates who we grow with each day through the highs and lows & Dave and his staff for their efforts the past few months. It’s never any one players jersey! You need strong shoulders when you put that Jersey on because you carry the history of all the players of the past that payed it forward as I will one day leave it for the next. That time may be now and if it is I will forever be grateful to have had played a part in the Wallaby Journey.
“One thing, don’t ever question my love for it!”
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