SYDNEY - Nathan Grey has spoken out after being dumped from the Wallabies' Tri-Nations rugby squad only a week after agreeing to come to Australia's rescue for the test against England.
Grey was not the only major name missing from the 26-man squad named yesterday, with Australia's No 1hooker Jeremy Paul also omitted for the series opener against South Africa in Cape Town on July 12.
While the dropping of Paul is a major wake-up call, putting his World Cup aspirations under serious risk, Grey was hoping that old-fashioned loyalty would be rewarded with a Tri-Nations berth.
"I'm filthy, I'm really disappointed. I thought I might have done enough to at least remain in the Wallabies squad."
Grey was last week handed the most unenviable and demanding of roles when asked to play first five-eighth against England after Elton Flatley was dropped.
Under trying circumstances, Grey handled the pressure solidly and could not be held accountable for Australia's historic 14-25 loss in Melbourne.
Grey's position was always going to be under threat with Stephen Larkham and Flatley returning to the squad.
"I never thought I would hold down the five-eighth spot but I at least thought that I might have had a crack at inside-centre," said Grey, who missed out to Steve Kefu and Morgan Turunui.
"I was relatively happy with how I went against England. I know I could have gone better but I wasn't exactly disappointed with my performance. I thought there may have been a spot somewhere for me in the squad," he told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
Grey said when Wallabies coach Eddie Jones contacted him to tell him of his non-selection, Jones explained he had been disappointed with the player's defensive performance.
"Now what I've got to do is use the Sydney club premiership as my platform to show I deserve to be back in," Grey said.
