Rugby Australia has sent a ruthless message to anyone thinking of signing overseas that you’ll rule yourself out of the Lions mixer if you put pen to paper with a foreign club.
Indeed, The Roar can reveal that days after Langi Gleeson signed with French Top 14 outfit Montpellier the regular Wallabies back-rower was uninvited to Joe Schmidt’s January camp.
It comes after Schmidt named Gleeson in a 40-man squad last month for the three-day camp at Olympic Park, which kicks off their Lions campaign.
In his place, The Roar can reveal Charlie Cale, the explosive Brumbies back-rower who made his debut against Wales in July but missed the second half of the year due to injury, was invited into camp at the last minute.
Langi Gleeson was disinvited to the Wallabies’ January camp. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The decision continues Schmidt’s ruthless approach from 2024, where no player signed to an overseas club or rival NRL beyond the Super Rugby season featured under the New Zealander.
It meant Wallabies like Izack Rodda, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Carter Gordon, Josh Kemeny and Izaia Perese were waved goodbye without a second thought. Their final memories in Australian rugby one of disappointment and disenchantment.
Gleeson, who featured prominently off the bench in Schmidt’s first season, is the latest to feel the hard line approach from RA. At 23, it’s possible he’s played his final Test for the Wallabies.
It’s a travesty given Gleeson has been picked by the past three successive Wallabies coaches in his only three years of professional rugby to date.
Now, Gleeson will be waved goodbye just as he starts to find his feet on the international stage.
Joe Schmidt’s Australian-first policy will continue in 2025. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The decision to farewell him weeks before a ball is kicked in Super Rugby is a clear attempt to strong-arm players considering leaving for riches overseas. Several are, including star centre Len Ikitau.
But the hypocrisy is strong, with Schmidt still contemplating his future despite telling the Australian rugby community he would let them in on his plans by December. Should Schmidt decide against renewing his contract, how would he view his own decision to move on?
Schmidt might well stay beyond the Lions, but he’ll also demand the best part of a seven-figure deal. Gleeson will only get half that number.
It’s an extraordinary message to send in what shapes as the biggest year in Australian rugby in more than two decades.
