Wallabies’ selectors under fire after humiliating defeat by Samoa - Rugby News
The Wallabies’ selectors are under pressure by Australian national media after claiming a humiliating defeat at the hands of Samoa. International Rugby Board (IRB) number 10 ranked Samoa left the world No 2 Australian side l*****g their wounds in a season
opener test on July 17, at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. The underestimated side of Samoa overcame the Wallabies with a comprehensive margin of 32-23 after a one-sided match. The Samoan players enjoyed a 17-0 lead during the first-half and grabbed an upset victory
against the Aussie side.
Australian selectors, including the head coach Robbie Deans, are being given a tough time by the local media after the astonishing defeat. The Australian media has slammed the decision of Wallabies’ selectors of resting key players from the season opener
test and declared that Robbie Deans’ side was ‘arrogant’. Deans made a strange decision of resting Wallabies star asset Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Kurtley Beale and David Pocock for the particular match.
The decision has cost him Australian rugby’s worst defeat with no solid arguments to defend his stance. The local media was outraged at the poor performance of Australia and stated that such a humiliating defeat before the Tri-Nations Cup has exposed their
lack of preparations. The Australian writer Wayne Smith talked about the Wallabies approach in the field and said, “The Wallabies may be second on the International Rugby Board rankings and the Samoans 10th but that does not excuse all the liberties the Australian
team took in this match, both before the kick-off and after it.”
An opposing player, Danny Leo, told the media on July 18 that the Wallabies had fanned the flames by underrating the Samoan players. Leo further said that, ''There was probably a bit of underestimation on the Wallabies' part. We were quite offended by that.
We used that to fuel the fire. Everyone came out firing. Pacific Island teams have always had great success coming in as underdogs, we thrive on that.''
The Samoan side was delighted with the upset victory against Australia and their Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi hailed his team for their splendid win.
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