Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi have revealed the conflicting emotions behind their decision to withdraw from the Spring Tour, which has cast doubt over the future of their Wallabies careers.
Veteran five-eighth Cooper confirmed on Thursday he would remain with Japanese club, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, rather than join his Australian teammates for their remaining three Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.
That came after star centre Kerevi and fellow Suntory Sungoliath teammate Sean McMahon had also opted to remain in Japan.
"My growth as a man is being able to admit I'm hurt," Cooper posted on Instagram.
"It hurts that I won't be on tour to Europe with my teammates, especially after experiencing so much growth and overcoming challenges each week.
"I'm hurt that I couldn't please everyone and keep both my employer and country happy.
"But although I am hurting now, the happiness I feel from my journey to this point far outweighs the hurt.
"... This journey has no finish line and my efforts to continue to walk this path will not change... What's meant to be will be."
While Cooper had the blessing of his club to travel, he felt he owed it to them to commit to pre-season training given they signed him in the belief his international career was over.
An injury on tour would have also put his lucrative contract at risk.
Cooper's return sparked a five-match winning run for the Wallabies, but the 33-year-old's hopes of appearing for Australia at the 2023 World Cup are now in the balance.
Kerevi, who like Cooper had been a major factor in the side's improved form, admitted as much in a similarly emotional post.
"That time may be now and if it is I will forever be grateful to have played a part in the Wallaby journey," he said.
Clearly frustrated by the situation, Kerevi made it clear he remained a passionate Wallaby.
"Don't ever question my love for it," he wrote.
"I've felt angry, sad, confused, betrayed but mostly heart broken," he wrote.
"I'm doing my best to let God take control instead of letting my emotions take over ... God has a way of bringing out the truth one way or the other, he has his way of humbling us all."
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie on Thursday couldn't answer if it spelt the end of the trio's representative careers.
Rennie has called up UK-based veteran Kurtley Beale and also young playmaker Noah Lolesio to join the tour from Australia.
"He (Cooper) wants to be here, he wants to be a Wallaby, but he feels loyalty to his club. In the end he's made a decision that he feels is the right one," Rennie said.
