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Cory Hill becomes the latest player to quit Wales' World Cup squad
By PA
Cory Hill has become the latest player to withdraw from Wales’ preliminary World Cup training squad. The former Cardiff and Dragons lock, who had been playing in Japan, was recalled by Wales head coach Warren Gatland following two years out of Test rugby.
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But 31-year-old Hill has pulled out of the squad to pursue a club contract opportunity outside of Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union said. “I am gutted to be leaving the squad, but an opportunity has come up and I need to take it for my family,” Hill said.
“Wishing the boys all the best at the World Cup, and I hope to be back in a Wales jersey in the future.”
Gatland named a 54-man group last month for the tournament in France later this year. Lock Alun Wyn Jones, flanker Justin Tipuric and scrum-half Rhys Webb, who have 291 Wales caps between them, subsequently announced their retirements from international rugby.
Cardiff prop Rhys Carre was then released from the squad after he failed to meet individual performance targets. It is understood that Gatland has no plans to call up a replacement for Hill, whose new club want him available for them during the World Cup period in September and October.
Hill made his Wales debut against Australia in 2016, while his 32nd and latest appearance came during the 2021 Six Nations against France. Gatland’s remaining second row options in his squad are Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, Teddy Williams and Christ Tshiunza.
Welsh rugby is broke. If you play in the system you don't earn what you could even 2hr flight away. But those clubs want you full time. Nz players face a similar dilemma but the reality is all black staus puts a premium on your value that only a lions cap might approach. The difference in right now money is clearly to great. We have lost and are losing talent as well but the machine keeps feeding replacements. Charles Piatau as it stands today would never have earned the money had he stayed, in coaching Pat Lamb same. He'll he earned More than Eddie or Gats. But those golden days are over. Thankfully for nz. But France and Japan are the model of corporate/ billionaire owners with a mind to rights and merch dollars that have the power right now. But they follow the us club sport/ UK euro soccer club professional model. God help us all if the US gets there shit together. With or without oil money.
Ultimately top players have a limited life span to earn that can end next week.
Imagine if you got told you have maybe fifteen years to make 90 % of you life's salary AND one injury could mean that is reduced what ever you current contract is worth.?? What would YOU DO?
OK, I'm confused. Surely the RWC falls within official test window? Therefore how does any club have the ability to do this? Isn't this exactly why the test windows were introduced?
But doesn't he already play in Japan?
His contract came to end at Cannon Eagles. With the salary cap reduced to 25 he was eligble for Wales but his new club don't want him to be available for Wales so have made it a stipulation of his contract