Douglas deserved Wallabies callup: Cheika

Departing NSW Waratahs lock Kane Douglas deserved the chance to play for the Wallabies this year, according to his coach Michael Cheika.

The Wallabies second rower will play his final game for NSW in Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Crusaders before joining Irish powerhouse Leinster, a team previously supervised by current Waratahs mentor Cheika.

While he was undoubtedly one of the best Australian locks in the Super tournament, 14-Test Wallaby Douglas missed out on selection for the recent three-match series against France.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has made it clear he is unlikely to select players who will be unavailable in the near future because they are heading overseas.

Cheika said he was more than pleased with how Douglas has performed this year.

“I think that he’s really improved this year and I think it’s a real shame he didn’t get the chance to play for Australia as well,” Cheika said on Tuesday.

“I think he deserved it.

“He’s going to be sorely missed by the (NSW) team when he leaves, that’s for sure.”

Leinster start their competitive program in early September, but Douglas has yet to get a release date from his Australian Rugby Union contract.

The big lock could still theoretically be available to play when the Rugby Championship starts next month, if McKenzie’s attitude softens, or an injury crisis hits the locks.

“I’d love to get the opportunity… I’m still contracted to the end of the year, so I’m sort of unsure of my release date,” Douglas said.

“I’m here and available, so if they need me, call me.”

Douglas said he has only had a brief conversation with with Cheika about Leinster.

“It’s got into finals time, so I haven’t really wanted to think about it,” Douglas said.

Cheika swiftly replied “I was telling him the contracts over there are really easy to get out of!”

Douglas’s older brother Luke, a forward for NRL club Gold Coast, won’t be able to attend the final, as the Titans play a couple of hours earlier in Townsville.

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