0
Jim Morton
16:09 AEST Fri Oct 14 2011
Nathan Sharpe may forever be stranded on 99 Tests after Robbie Deans bravely overlooked the veteran lock for Sunday night's Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Deans showed there was no room for sentiment by dumping Sharpe from the bench for the high-pressure clash against New Zealand and replacing him with the younger, more athletic Rob Simmons.
And the coach gave "no guarantees" that the warhorse would be recalled to notch his century in a potential fairytale final or third-place play-off next week.
It could leave Sharpe agonisingly short of the milestone as 2012 could be his farewell Super Rugby season for the Western Force after initially being snubbed by the Australian Rugby Union for a contract top-up.
Deans admitted it was a tough call to lose his vast experience but explained it as a horses for courses selection, as his lateral defence would be challenged by the wide-running All Blacks.
The 33-year-old had also been dropped for the two Bledisloe Cup Tests this year as Deans preferred the greater mobility of Simmons and Dan Vickerman.
Despite the painful omission, Deans said Sharpe took the hard decision "very well".
"He's a class act," the coach said. "You would have seen this year we have very much had a horses for courses approach.
"We don't make these decisions lightly.
"But obviously in terms of sentiment ... those sort of considerations don't come into consideration.
"(Simmons) is athletic and has got a slightly different skill set to Sharpey.
"We anticipate a lateral challenge from the All Blacks; we expect they will use the ball side to side so that's probably the point of difference between the two players."
Sharpe was primed to become just the fifth Wallaby in Test rugby's 100 club, joining George Gregan (139 Tests), George Smith (110), Stephen Larkham (102) and David Campese (101).
The All Blacks, who were preparing to send an official letter of congratulations to Sharpe, certainly won't mind the surprise change by the sound of 90-Test hooker Keven Mealamu's assessment before the Wallabies named their team.
"One hundred Tests, you can't buy that much experience," Mealamu said on Friday morning. "It will be huge for them, we're lucky we've got 100 Tests on our side as well (with Richie McCaw)."
Simmons, 22, admitted he was disappointed for Sharpe but grateful for his immediate support.
"I do (feel bad)," the Queensland lock told AAP.
"I've definitely thought about it but everyone does what they can to get a another cap to their own name.
"It did cross my mind but I'm sure he won't leave the game without 100 games.
"Last week he was saying sorry to me and I was congratulating him and this week the roles are reversed."
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8360325
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by BeeJay
Bloody disgusted would be an understatement!!! Incensed would be short of the mark too!!!.........*&^%$#@!!!!!!!
