Controversy has erupted around the Australian Union National Rugby team over the squad selection orchestrated by the gaffer Eddie Jones as the Wallabies are still struggling to come to terms with a shock defeat of 15-22 against Fiji.
This is the first time the Wallabies have lost to Fiji in 69 years, sending shockwaves through the Australian Rugby community. Questions have been raised over the criteria employed for team selection by the coach. Former players have been baffled by the Coach’s decision-making.
The reaction of the Wallabies community resonates with disappointment. However, it is noteworthy to know that Fiji is ranked as the World’s 8th-best team, one above Australia, and they also beat rugby giants England in the warm-up stages of the World Cup.
There is a sense of growing frustration around the Australian Union National Team, and the supporters and the veterans share a mutual sentiment about having their doubts and questions left unanswered by the Coach.
Former Test winger Drew Mitchell has expressed his frustration over the result against Fiji and the prior team selection for the said match. He has outrightly called for a public explanation from the team Coach over his team selection that has led the team to find itself in a must-win clash against Wales on Monday, 25th September (12:30 am)(IST)
Drew Mitchell Makes His Feelings Known About The Team Selection Fiasco
Former Test winger Drew Mitchell has expressed his frustration over the result against Fiji and the prior team selection for the said match. He has outrightly called for a public explanation from the team Coach over his team selection that has led the team to find itself in a must-win clash against Wales on Monday, 25th September (12:30 am)(IST)
Speaking to the Good, Bad, and Rugby podcast, Mitchell made his thoughts known. “Let’s not discredit Fiji for how well they played, but let’s also not disregard the fact that we shouldn’t be trailing against Fiji”
He couldn’t align with the need to implement a youth policy and left out long-time captain Michael Hooper and experienced playmaker Quade Cooper while playing a 22-year-old Carter Gordon alone in the fly-half position. Mitchell, who himself has featured in three world cups, was vocal about wanting Jones to explain his decisions publicly.
“We’re all sitting here scratching our heads, and a lot of the time, we can sit there and defend Eddie or the Wallabies because we can understand the logic in some of these decisions, but there’s none of it.”
He was also vocal about the way the Coach paid no heed to the questions and doubts raised by the fans and former players.
“Eddie sits there and goes, ‘Yeah, it’s my fault. I take full responsibility.’ What does that mean, though? Tell us, as fans, why have you not picked these guys? Because now we’re seeing the result of you not picking some of these guys.”
Mitchell, having featured 71 times for the Australian Union team, 2016 being his final appearance for the team, felt extremely disappointed with the current team’s preparation for the biggest stage.
Mitchell’s outburst drew reactions from the veterans of contrasting opinions. Former Wallabies Assistant Coach Raiwalui questioned as to why Mitchell believed the game could have been easily won. “It starts to get a little condescending…do our young men deserve that?”
Mitchell later apologized for his swearing and said he was tired and a “tad emotional.”
