Wallaby captain George Gregan announced on Tuesday that he would opt out of Australia’s four-Test tour of Europe in November to concentrate on preparing for next year’s World Cup.
Gregan, the world’s most-capped international player with 127 Tests, said his decision to miss the tour was based purely on the opportunity to get ready physically for the World Cup.
”I haven’t completed a solid block of physical training since 2000, so having the opportunity to rest from the spring tour will give me a chance to make some good physical gains leading into a World Cup year,” Gregan told reporters.
Coach John Connolly said Gregan’s decision did not signal the end of his Test career, but refused to guarantee him a place in the World Cup squad.
”We understand from George’s perspective that he wants to go out on a high after the World Cup and is focused on getting into the best possible shape to give himself the chance to perform at his best next year,” he said.
Connolly said that he was happy with Gregan’s form through the nine-Test series this winter.
”I think he’s had a very solid year for the Wallabies and has led the team pretty well.
”Having said that, no one is guaranteed a place in the team [for next year]. The tour will be important for a number of players, as will next year’s Super 14.”
Gregan cited his Brumbies and Wallaby teammate Stirling Mortlock as an example of a player who has flourished after a period of extended training.
”If you look at Stirling, he definitely had one of his best years this year after getting a full pre-season of training prior to the Super 14,” said Gregan.
”Having that chance to complete two months of physical training is very rare these days and it really rejuvenated Stirling’s career.”
Connolly said Gregan would remain on stand-by for the tour if injuries persist in the halfback ranks.
”At the moment we have some injury concerns at the scrumhalf position and we will wait and see on the fitness of [Sam] Cordingley and [Josh] Valentine over the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Mortlock, who captained the Wallabies when Gregan was benched for the second Test against England earlier this year, is now expected to lead the squad for the Europe tour.
The tour includes Tests against Wales on November 4, Italy on November 11, Ireland on November 18 and Scotland on November 25.
Critics in the Australian media have been campaigning for Gregan’s removal as the team’s scrumhalf after a recent run of indifferent form, but he has made it clear he plans the World Cup to be his swansong.
Last month Gregan became Australia’s leading Test captain, passing predecessor John Eales’s previous record of 55 Tests, when he led the Wallabies to a 20-18 victory over South Africa in Sydney. — AFP
