Pete Samu is an Australian, wants to be a Wallaby and is good enough to play for his nation.
That’s the straightforward view of Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, who will fully back his loose forward if he is granted clearance to represent the Wallabies against Ireland.
Samu’s fate is in the hands of New Zealand Rugby officials, who are mulling whether to offer the 26-year-old a temporary release for next month’s three-Test series.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had hoped a decision could be reached on Thursday, having named just five loose forwards in his squad.
However, the NZR remain tight-lipped on the status of Melbourne-born Samu, who this week signed a two-season deal to join the Brumbies next year.
He remains on the Crusaders’ books until the current season finishes in August.
Robertson said Samu would go with his blessing if cleared to wear green and gold.
“He’s going to be a Wallaby at some stage isn’t he? If that’s in June, good on him,” Robertson told journalists.
“He’s an Australian who wants to play for Australia. He’s good enough to be a Wallaby.”
Adding another dimension is the fitness of Samu, who exited last week’s win over the Hurricanes near halftime following a head knock.
Having played the past seven matches, he was left out of the Crusaders team named on Thursday to face the Chiefs in Hamilton this weekend.
The 26-year-old was unavailable to media at Crusaders training.
Robertson says Samu’s alignment with Australia won’t affect his selection chances at the Crusaders, who lead the competition and chasing hard a second successive title.
“If he plays well enough he’ll play. It’s not an issue at all – I think it’s just professional sport.”
NZ Rugby say they are entitled to block Samu because his contract commits him to New Zealand, who he is also eligible to represent.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says Samu would be a valuable acquisition if cleared, having watched him tear the NSW Waratahs apart only a couple of weeks ago.
“When we played him, he made a game-changing, momentum-changing run and he’s been through the Tahs outfit before, so it’s good to see him coming home,” Hooper told Fox Sports.
“He’s an outstanding ball runner, he’s got a very good broad game as well.”
Australia have a shortage of options at blindside flanker, with Jack Dempsey injured and Ned Hanigan unavailable until the second match of the series against Ireland.
If Samu’s clearance doesn’t come through, the No.6 jersey will likely fall to Caleb Timu or Lukhan Tui.
