Snubbed Paul England-bound

[Burgs]

Nice going Knuckles

Snubbed Paul England-bound

By Jim Tucker and AAP
May 15, 2007

DISILLUSIONED Australia stalwart Jeremy Paul is set to quit Australian rugby to join an English club rather than cop another slap in the face in the World Cup countdown.

The 72-Test hooker is believed to be seeking an immediate release to pursue playing plans in England from July after his shock non-selection in a 37-man squad of Wallabies contenders which is gathering today for a camp in Sydney.

Paul, 30, had always planned to finish his career in the homeland of his English wife Sophie but had scheduled the move for after the World Cup's conclusion in October.

Paul has every right to feel he is on the outer of Australia's plans for the cup.

Not only have Queensland's Stephen Moore and New South Wales Waratah Adam Freier been picked ahead of him for the camp, but project hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, 21, is also likely to attend.

Paul's form was superb over the final month of Super 14 for Brumbies when his side was playing in virtual sudden-death games each round.

[Evie]

This not how JP deserves to see out his Australian career... he should be in that World Cup Squad, a big part of the Brumbies winning their last 6 game straight was JP finding form. Interesting to note that most people (journos and punters alike) were tipping a Brumbies front-row for the Wallabies and only one of the guys made the 37-man squad.
I thought we wanted to win this World Cup...

[prop53]

At least now he knows how Henjack feels.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

What is going on for christs sake? Has anybody got the hand on the wheel at the ARU at the moment? Dont blame Paul one iota. We pride ourselves on professionalism in sport. Everthing we touch is turning into a turd at the moment, im lining up Knuckles in the crosshairs. I feel a loss of direction through a weak board, is giving him free rien cause he is the Grand Poobah, and after Eddie, they would choose any bugger.
I hope Knuckles is right, cause im a serious non believer at the moment.
Hope im wrong.

[Jess]

I honestly don't know what the heck knuckles is thinking! JP deserves WAY better than this! He has experience and form and I really don't know how this could be overlooked.

It's a world cup for goodness sake! It's not an experiment!!!!

[JediKnight]

No JP, no Tai......do the Wallabies really want to be competitive at the RWC?!

Maybe Canberra is suffering from not being on the East Coast......NSW & Qld = Wallabies?!

[Evie]

They don't appear to, Jedi.

As was alluded to in todays Canberra Times he has just been announced as Gloucester's new signing (a 3 year contract at that) but not til after the World Cup so maybe he hasn't totally given up quite yet *crosses fingers*

[GIGS20]

I think I'll put my money on the 'Boks unless this is some mystical plan which magically transforms into a cup winning strategy like a rabbit being pulled out of Connelly's............hat?

I'm sure you get the image......sorry!

[Burgs]

I fear any hope is somewhat south South of his.........hat.

[Goldmember]

I'm gonna call the Australian World Cup squad the Warrabys from now on

[Jess]

'Warr-a-bys that is who we be' (to the tune of the waratahs lame vodaphone song)....

fits nicely.

[Flamethrower]

The best part of this whole World Cup mess and Warraby squad is that we can't be dissapointed. If they fail we can all laugh and say Connelly is a moron. If they win we will all be surprised. It's win win for the fans

[Jess]

Kind of like the last world cup I guess...

No one expected us to even make the finals and it all came together at the last minute and we were all pleasantly surprised.

Though I don't remember the build up being this chaotic.