George Smith - Will / Should He Play Against The Lions?

[Gnostic]

I just hope the ARU and Robbie have expressed interest in George playing. That has to happen first for Smith to sign with the ARU and drop his Suntory contract. Smith isn't going to end his lucrative contract on the chance he'll be selected. If he hasn't been approached then shame on the ARU and Deans because Oz will be stronger for his presence in the squad. It appears as though he hasn't even been sounded out which is poor IMO

That illustrates my point just as well Paradox. Ethically I have a big issue with the ARU approaching Smith to play. If he wishes to play for the Wallabies he must, terminate, or seek a release from his Suntory contract and sign at least for 2013 with the Brumbies. He must make these decisions before the ARU can contemplate picking him. The minute he has done so he should be eligible.

My argument regarding his eligibility has all been about the precedents that the ARU has set with previous players. My arguments are that the ARU has compromised itself and now must act with the utmost integrity and be totally open about the proceedures. Anything less and the ARU risks being held in further contempt as their integrity and processes will be even further undermined, if that is possible.

 

[Paradox]

That illustrates my point just as well Paradox. Ethically I have a big issue with the ARU approaching Smith to play. If he wishes to play for the Wallabies he must, terminate, or seek a release from his Suntory contract and sign at least for 2013 with the Brumbies. He must make these decisions before the ARU can contemplate picking him. The minute he has done so he should be eligible.

My argument regarding his eligibility has all been about the precedents that the ARU has set with previous players. My arguments are that the ARU has compromised itself and now must act with the utmost integrity and be totally open about the proceedures. Anything less and the ARU risks being held in further contempt as their integrity and processes will be even further undermined, if that is possible.

Good post Gnostic but the ARU are going to look like hypocrites when Burgess gets selected. I suspect this is on the cards.

Anyway, I doubt we'll see George Smith playing for the Wallabies again.

 

[Sully]

Why Burgess has terminated his contract.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

 

[Paradox]

The NZRU selected SBW for the All Blacks knowing he'd only play a handful of tests. If Smith signed with the Brumbies for 2013 and ARU till the end of lions series, would anyone have an issue with that? Obviously he would need to end his current Suntory contract and have another ready to go post Lions series.

 

[ACT Crusader]

The NZRU selected SBW for the All Blacks knowing he'd only play a handful of tests. If Smith signed with the Brumbies for 2013 and ARU till the end of lions series, would anyone have an issue with that? Obviously he would need to end his current Suntory contract and have another ready to go post Lions series.

No entirely true. As an NZRU contracted player, there were efforts by the NZRU to convince him to stay on and continue with rugby.

Obviously when Nasser and SBW told them how much money was on offer in League, they knew they wouldn't be able to match.

 

[Joe Blow]

Seems as though he is now eligible

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-...-and-irish-lions/story-fndptwp4-1226622006215

 

[Dan54]

Well Joe, will wait to see if Suntory have allowed him to sign with ARU or not first, seems there is a little presumption there that Suntory have released him for Wallabies as well as Brumbies. He isn't still signed with ARU only Brumbies from what I can understand.

 

[kiap]

If selected for the Wallabies in the test window, the clubs have to release him as per IRB Reg 9.

 

[Sully]

Did Smith ever officially retire? If not he's available.

 

[Dave Beat]

Jake White and the Brumbies are being pro active trying to retain Smith.
Whilst all i read is that the ARU is sitting on their hands doing nothing.
Watching this transpire, or reading it the way it reads is as frustrating as watching the Wallabies over the past 2 years. Whether it being in the board room, or on the padock I don't see any positive play.

Yeah, I'm a Smith fan so I'm bias.

 

[kiap]

Did Smith ever officially retire? If not he's available.

Well, Smith recently stated publicly that he wants to play in the tests.

If he'd previously made a declaration signing that away then surely he would know the incongruity of that.

Difficult for at least 12 months from the date of any such declaration, in any case.

 

[Joe Blow]

Is it not a requirement for all Australian Super rugby franchise contracted players to be eligible for Wallaby selection?
I don't think you can just say "I'm retired from test rugby" as they do in cricket. If you are playing Super rugby and they select you then you turn up.
I assume that someone will have a chat with Smith, he will say he wants to play and Deans will not select him.

 

[Dave Beat]

Deans is possibly the problem.
George dealt, is dealing with it his way.
QC (Quade Cooper) dealt with it his way.
Attending a world cup with one specialist 7, and constantly kicking away possession.
Number of trys scored last year.
??

 

[kiap]

I don't think you can just say "I'm retired from test rugby"

It can be done via a signed declaration (not saying it has happened in this case, obviously).

Here are the international retirement clauses in Reg 9 .....

9.29​

If a Union having exercised its rights pursuant to this Regulation is informed that a Player is not so released and/or is unwilling to participate on the grounds that they have retired from International Rugby then the Player shall be required to confirm his retirement in writing to his Union and sign a declaration. Such declaration will include an affirmation that the Player fully understands the consequences of his decision to retire and that the decision has been made on a voluntary basis and in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation 9. A declaration will also be required from the Player’s Rugby Body or Club confirming that it has acted in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 9 in connection with the Player’s decision to retire from the International Game.​

​

9.30​

If a Player does retire in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 9.29 above, the Player shall not be entitled to play for that Union for a period of 12 months from the date of written confirmation of retirement from the International Game being received by the Union save with the prior written approval of both the Player’s Union and the IRB.​

 

[Slim 293]

Seems as though he is now eligible

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-...-and-irish-lions/story-fndptwp4-1226622006215

George Smith to play out season with ACT Brumbies, now available for selection against the British and Irish Lions

• by: Jim Tucker
• From: The Courier-Mail
• April 17, 2013 12:00AM

AN extended clearance to play on for the ACT Brumbies should now make George Smith an irresistible target for a Wallabies comeback against the British and Irish Lions.

Smith's Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath last night gave the crucial all-clear for the 110-Test great to be selected for the three-Test series if the Wallabies want him.

Sources indicate that the Australian Rugby Union has been playing a shrewd waiting game to see if Smith was even in the country in June-July before showing official interest in the champion flanker.

Smith, 32, was only on loan to the Brumbies until their May 31 clash against the Hurricanes before a key decision yesterday by his Japanese club shifted the goalposts radically.

Suntory told Jake White they can utilise Smith's services until the end of Super Rugby in early August after overtures from the savvy Brumbies coach.

The mouthwatering spin-off is that Smith is now physically available for the three blockbusters against the Lions on June 22, June 29 and July 6.

Last month, Smith said there had been "no direct or indirect conversations with the ARU.''

That may soon change. It's not that the ball-pilferer supreme will nudge young guns Liam Gill and Michael Hooper out of the picture for the Lions series. He will be a weapon in tandem for the Lions to fret about.

It sets the scene for a fascinating Gill-Smith duel in Saturday night's Super Rugby showdown between the Reds and Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

Those concerned about the bending of the ARU's long-held rule of not allowing the selection of overseas-contracted players might now accept a loophole.

Smith will be playing almost a full Super Rugby season which is commitment enough for a special exemption because it is no longer a "quickie solution'' to David Pocock's injury.

Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie backed the ARU's cautious approach on Monday by saying players "can't just cherry pick'' through seasons when there are also Rugby Championship and tour Tests.

Most significantly, Smith has proved he's lost none of his impact.

The next move must come from the ARU to usher in an ace and a hard man who can help swing the Lions series.

 

[jay-c]

is there anything jake white wont do to benefit australian rugby?
i swear if he wins the s15 with the brumbies im gunna vote for him for australian of the year

 

[cyclopath]

I must be naive. I read that as saying it has only just come to pass that he can even be here when the Tests are on. Which was the Brumbies' problem to sort, as they had the agreement with Suntory. So now, the ball has landed in the ARU's court, so they can have a hit, if they want.

 

[qwerty51]

Me too cyclo, it's stage 1 of 2 complete. He's still not eligible.

 

[Dave Beat]

I had thought Sharpe had formerly announced his retirement, but he was called back - how does that fit in with the above clauses that were referrenced.

 

[qwerty51]

Sharpe's ARU contract last year would've ended 31.12.12, his retirement would be a verbal, "don't pick me".