Australia's 'cynical attempt' to reduce Darcy Swain's impending ban

The presence of one Darcy Swain in the recently announced Australia A side for their three-game series in Japan has raised a few eyebrows on both sides of the ditch.

Swain received a yellow card in the Wallabies’ most recent defeat at the hands of the All Blacks for a dangerous breakdown clear-out and was cited after the match.

The widely held view is that Swain will be handed a ban for the offence that will keep him out of a set number of competitive matches in the near future. A ban of four matches or more would prevent him from playing any part on the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour, where they are due to take on Scotland, France, Italy and Ireland.

Having been named in the Australia A squad for their trip to Japan, Swain could complete three of his potentially mandatory stand-downs in October, limiting the number of matches he’s unavailable for when the Wallabies head north.

The decision to name Swain in the squad has understandably been met with some criticism on social media, given that Swain has been a full-squad member of the top Wallabies side for the entirety of the season. As such, many believe that he was not due to be named in the Australia A side until it became likely that the utility forward would be handed a ban.

Darcy Swain named in Australia A squad to play 3 games in Japan before Wallabies Spring tour. Looks like a cynical attempt to lessen impact of potential ban.

— Paul Cully (@paulcullystuff) September 21, 2022

I think I’ve now lost whatever respect I had left for the @wallabies. Their behaviour the past few weeks has been despicable

— Malcolm Wesley (@mmolver86) September 21, 2022

Absolutely shocking from @wallabies !

The irony! Seems a clear effort to time waste and reduce the ban of Darcy Swain!

But the @wallabies don’t time waste ?? https://t.co/r41fqBq4sh

— Brian (@Ringbrian88) September 21, 2022

Pure shithousery to name Darcy Swain fully knowing he's likely copping a big ban if guilty tonight https://t.co/w97APeT4Vo

— The Dropped Kick-Off Rugby Pod (@DroppedKickOff_) September 21, 2022

Quite daring of you to name that thug Darcy Swain when you know he’ll be banned from playing

— Malcolm Wesley (@mmolver86) September 21, 2022

Why was Darcy swain named in the Australian A squad that is travelling to Japan is this to cover his games ban

— Schimanski (@ThatSchimanski) September 21, 2022

There are some who believe that Swain’s selection is entirely above board and that he was always a chance to play for Australia A given the ‘depth’ the Wallabies possess in the second row.

Or maybe with other players back from injury he is not getting selected for the tour.

— BDC4171 (@Barnaby_Chivers) September 21, 2022

I don’t think it is unreasonable that might legit be sending him back to Aus A for more experience he clearly needs. Has potential but needs to focus his game and clean it up. Aus A is the spot for that not Wallabies.

— Bart Willis (@bartinoheat) September 21, 2022

Is cynical the right word? Lonergan, Frost, Pone, Neville all picked. Definitely strategic, but don’t think it’s outside realms of possibility that he was being picked Anyway

— rory shortball (@RShortball) September 21, 2022

Fox Sports’ Christy Doran takes a slightly different stance, believing it’s simply a smart move on the Wallabies’ behalf:

Tom Banks included in 34-man Australia A. His World Cup dream still alive.

He’s one of 12 capped Wallabies.

Darcy Swain in there as well. Smart play Wallabies given judiciary to come.

Young guns Teddy Wilson and Max Jorgensen (development) included, too.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) September 21, 2022

The outcome of Swain’s judicial appointment is set to be confirmed in the coming hours.