OWN CORRESPONDENT, Brisbane | Tuesday 2.30pm.
THE selection of former Springbok skipper Tiaan Strauss in the Wallaby team has been criticised by a powerful Australian rugby club as sending a mixed message to local players.
Strauss was on Monday named as a reserve forward in the Australian team to play Ireland in Brisbane on June 12. Brisbane rugby union club Souths have drafted a letter to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) protesting Strauss’ selection, implying it cost their in-form forward Mark Connors a place.
Strauss has fulfilled the International Rugby Board’s requirements to become a dual international but Souths questioned the contribution he would make to Australian rugby after he retires from the game.
Strauss, who played 15 internationals for South Africa before taking up a lucrative rugby league contract in Sydney in 1996, said he was prepared for the backlash following his selection. “There were always going to be some people that criticised it but I know that my future is here,” Strauss said on Tuesday.
Strauss received his permanent residency last week and the backrower said he had no plans to move his wife and two young daughters back to South Africa.–AFP