Australia 's tour of the United Kingdom has been thrown into chaos after the Japan-based trio of Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Sean McMahon pulled out on short notice to prepare for their club campaigns.
The absence of the former pair in particular will affect the Wallabies, who recently finished second at the Rugby Championship and are riding a five-win streak for the first time in six years.
The initial sentiment was one of abandonment and deceit, with Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos saying selectors "expected a more honest approach."
Fly-half Cooper took to social media and explained he was hurt by the decision to step down from international duty, concluding: "What's meant to be will be."
And "heartbroken" Kerevi, 28, has joined his team-mate in publicly defending his decision to withdraw, suggesting the full details are not known and that his desire to represent Australia isn't the defining factor:
"I’ve changed what I’ve wanted to write on this post many times," the Tokyo Sungoliath midfielder wrote. "I’ve felt angry, sad, confused, betrayed but mostly Heart Broken.
"I’m trying my best to let God take control instead of letting my emotions take over - But be careful, God has a way of bringing out the TRUTH one way or the other. He has his ways of Humbling us all!
"I thank my club @sungoliath_official for allowing me this opportunity during my holiday to continue to pursue that dream."
Australia could have triggered Regulation 9 of World Rugby law to demand the trio in question be available for international duty, but head coach Dave Rennie said the players had requested for that to not be the case.
Kerevi was one of the recalled players whose return to the team had an instant impact in improving their fortunes on the field, which included back-to-back wins over South Africa.
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The former Queensland Red waited almost two years between Test appearances after the Wallabies exited the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals to eventual runners-up England.
His return came as a result of Rugby Australia easing their Giteau Law selection policy, which previously permitted overseas-based players only if they held 60 caps and seven years of Super Rugby experience.
"I cherish my time in the Wallaby Gold and having this opportunity to again represent this country has been amazing," Kerevi continued.
"Most importantly my team mates who we grow with each day through the highs and lows & Dave and his staff for their efforts the past few months. It’s never any one players jersey! You need strong shoulders when you put that Jersey on because you carry the history of all the players of the past that payed it forward as I will one day leave it for the next. That time may be now and if it is I will forever be grateful to have had played a part in the Wallaby Journey.
"One thing, don’t ever question my love for it!"
The admission that the time to relinquish his Australia jersey "may be now" will set alarm bells ringing that supporters might have seen the last of Fiji-born Kerevi in the green and gold colours of his country.
Australia are set to hand another former star an international reprieve as Racing 92's Kurtley Beale—whose last Test outing was in that defeat to England in Japan—has been summoned by coach Rennie.
Fellow Top 14 talents Will Skelton, Rory Arnold and Tolu Latu are also due to link up with the national team ahead of fixtures against Scotland (Nov. 7), England (Nov. 13) and Wales (Nov. 20).
Hunter Paisami is Kerevi's heir apparent at centre for the time being, although there remain doubts as to whether any player at Australia's disposal can excel to the same standards in that position.
For now, Kerevi's focus will shift towards the rebranded Japan Rugby League One campaign, which kicks off in early January, with more details expected to emerge from a frantic week in the Wallabies camp.
