Rugby Australia has slammed New Zealand Rugby's reluctance to release Crusaders flanker Pete Samu to the Wallabies for their June series with Ireland.
Samu's contract with New Zealand Rugby means they have the final say on whether he can go, a move their Australian counterparts believe goes against the spirit of the game.
Samu's impact doesn't go unnoticed, and it certainly hasn't with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
"We're keen to pick him in the squad," Cheika said of the Crusaders flanker.
Cheika's left a Samu-sized hole in his team because the NZR is playing hard ball.
"Some things are out of my hands at the moment, but I'm hoping they come into my hands by tomorrow," he added on Wednesday.
Newshub understands the ball is now in Rugby Australia's court, but they aren't happy about it.
The NZR is demanding compensation for Samu's services, at an amount which Australian officials have deemed substantial.
Rugby Australia won't hand it over unless he's selected to play outside the June test window.
Samu is Melbourne-born and played his junior rugby there.
After turning out for Tasman in 2014, his form was too hard to ignore, and he was rewarded with a contract with the Crusaders.
"He's going to be a Wallaby at some stage isn't he? And if they decide that's in June then good on them," said Crusaders coach Scott Robertson.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has seen enough to know he'd rather be playing with Samu than against him.
"He's a guy that adds a lot of different dimensions, and if you're reviewing him then it's hard to put your finger on how to stop him," Hooper noted.
NZR has put forward a proposal that would allow Samu to play for the wallabies, coming just weeks after they relented on their tug-of-war battle with England over Brad Shields
Shields' advice? Focus on the footy.
"You can let it affect you, or you can just leave it to whoever's taking care of it," said Shields. "Take care of the things you can't control and during that time you just need to focus on rugby."
Ultimately, Pete Samu's selection for the Wallabies makes a lot of sense. But it will come down to dollars as to whether NZR bosses let him pull on the green and gold jumper.
Newshub.
