Time to crack open rugby's 'can of worms' as ex-Wallabies call for change after record loss
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A trio of former Wallabies are urging Rugby Australia to cast the selection net wide in the wake of Sunday's (AEST) record loss to Argentina.
Australia's slim Rugby Championship title hopes went up in smoke in Santa Fe after letting a 20-3 lead slip to lose 67-27 to Argentina in an embarrassing and extraordinary match.
It was the most points ever conceded by the Wallabies, who fielded just one overseas-based star in winger Marika Koroibete.
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World champions South Africa, meanwhile, are picking heavily from players in Europe and Japan while the Pumas are almost entirely drawn from foreign clubs.
"They're the best 23 players in Argentina," Stephen Hoiles said on Stan Sport's Between Two Posts.
"Have we got the best 23 players in Australian rugby at the moment, or are some of them still based overseas?
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"We've always been about protecting Super Rugby because that's our product. That product isn't working for us at the moment and we're not picking from overseas.
"I'm not saying one player in particular would make a huge difference, but Will Skelton, if you got him - South Africa, do it, Argentina, do it.
"We're doing what New Zealand does. We're not New Zealand. Just because the All Blacks keep the All Blacks in New Zealand rugby, we shouldn't have to do what they do."
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Giant lock Skelton plays in France and captained Australia at last year's Rugby World Cup.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt spoke with Skelton about playing in this year's Rugby Championship but it didn't come to fruition.
His presence would undoubtedly boost Australia's maul defence and punch with ball in hand.
Hoiles said others should be considered.
"Hand on heart, I reckon Liam Gill and Sean McMahon are still good enough to play for the Wallabies," the former loose forward said.
"Just because they're in Japan, they're sight unseen. (Carlo) Tizzano's been really good. But when you lose (Fraser) McReight - where's our next three or four?
Harry Wilson of Australia reacts as he leaves the field. Getty
"Sean McMahon's playing at the same level as (Springboks star) Kwagga (Smith), but we don't even get a chance to look at Sean McMahon."
Schmidt has consistently said his preference is to pick players plying their trade in Australia but his hand may be forced to do otherwise.
"It's a can of worms that we're going to have to open up and eat at some stage," former Wallabies back Morgan Turinui said.
Joaquin Oviedo of Argentina scores a try. Getty
"We've been told that bringing guys in doesn't work because of cohesion and this and that. Well, Argentina are actually a really good example of someone we compare ourselves to, because they've not got much in the terms of their national comp.
"They have local rugby but all of their best players are overseas. All their best players come from many different clubs and come together and can put 60 odd points on the Wallabies."
Ditto for South Africa, Turinui added.
"So there are countries that are doing it... I think we've got a decade of work ahead of us," he said.
"I want to see that that last 30 (minutes against Argentina) was an aberration. That's not who this Wallabies group is. I still think there's a long way to go in terms of consistent winning performances."
Former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps, meanwhile, urged the team and their supporters not to panic in the wake of the shock result.
Australia are 4-3 under Schmidt this year and Phipps said the previous win over Argentina in La Plata showed what was possible.
"I think we all knew this was going to be a little rebuild, right? So we we just can't panic at the first dusting off," Phipps said.
"I can say to those guys it is so easy to get flogged by Argentina when they're on that roll... so I don't think we should panic.
Argentina celebrate at Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez Stadium. Getty
"We're allowed to be disappointed as fans. But let's not panic. Phenomenal the way they closed out the game last last week."
Australia's next assignments are against the All Blacks in Sydney on September 21 and Wellington on September 28.
"We're going to keep getting better and the Bledisloe is coming up and if there's a time for for them to lift after a disappointing loss, it's definitely those two games," Phipps said.
