Phil Waugh goes on about engaging with grassroots and growing the game by getting supporters to connect with their local clubs. You take players away from the pinnacle games of the season so they can play a nothing game against Portugal overseas which no one will watch or really care about. You are playing for Australia A it is not really representing your country. That comes when you play for Australia in a test match. This is a trial game where the team name is Australia A. It could be Barbarians or even Wallabies 2nds.
Clubs work for the whole year to reach the pinnacle of their competition and then this gets pushed onto them. What a joke.