The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and national team coach Eddie Jones on Monday voiced their support for embattled Wallabies’ skipper George Gregan ahead of this weekend’s final Tri-Nations match with New Zealand.
There have been calls for Gregan to get the axe after a season of indifferent performances at the helm of the Wallabies, who have lost their last four internationals — the longest losing sequence for over 20 years.
Weekend newspaper reports cited unnamed sources indicating that the 32-year-old was about to be pushed into retirement by the selectors.
Jones, a long-time supporter of Gregan, said that while there has been considerable speculation over the scrum-half’s future, there was no reason why he should not be selected for the Wallabies’ European tour in November.
”George has received an enormous amount of criticism over the last month, and in turn there has been considerable speculation on his position in the team and future in the game,” Jones said in a statement.
”At this stage there is no reason why he would not be selected on the [European] spring tour.
”Like every player in the squad, his performance during the winter season will be reviewed and evaluated, but he is the current Australian captain and the right man to lead the team through this next period of time.”
ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said the criticism and speculation surrounding Gregan was disappointing for a player of his stature.
”George will play his 114th Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, equalling [England prop] Jason Leonards record of 114 Test matches for England,” Flowers said.
”His leadership has been unquestionable since taking over the captaincy in 2001 and through this difficult period more recently, as well as over the next period of time, George is the right man to lead the team.”
Flowers said there would be no further comment from the ARU on the speculation regarding Gregan’s future.
The Australian team, beset by injuries and withdrawals ahead of the New Zealand Test, is to be announced on Wednesday. – Sapa-AFP