Grey upset after being dropped for South African clash

8.45pm

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 1 hooker 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.

- NZPA