The Melbourne Rebels’ recruitment campaign will move up a notch after the Australian Rugby Union relaxed its stance on the new Super 15 franchise’s player transfer deadline.
The Rebels, who last week announced their first and only signing in former England five-eighth Danny Cipriani, successfully argued to the ARU board that the restriction on signing Australian-based players was unfair.
The ARU, eager to avoid another Western Force poaching frenzy, had set a May 31 deadline but on Monday announced that deadline for all provinces would be brought forward to March 15.
It has also provided the start-up franchise with the additional concession of an extension for reaching its working capital requirement, which is part of its licence agreement.
That will ease pressure on the privately-owned Rebels, who are reportedly seeking an additional $6m in private equity.
Investors have been waiting to see what kind of team the Rebels recruit before they commit to the franchise.
“The sooner we get moving in announcing key signings of Australian players, the sooner we can put together a financial proposition to build the brand of the Rebels so it was imperative that that changed to assist us,” Rebels chief executive Brian Waldron of the date change.
“In essence this gives us 11 months to put together a team to run on the park and also to get the necessary funds together from a commercial and sponsorship point of view.
“I came out of last week’s meeting with John O’Neill absolutely confident that the ARU was supportive of what we were trying to do and this confirms my belief.
“They want us to be successful, they want to help us be successful and at the same time ensure the existing provinces are protected where possible.”
ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill said players announcing midway through a season they would be switching to another team the following season was still a concern.
“However, weighing up the interests of the four existing Super Rugby provinces that wanted a level of protection around player retention, and the interests of the Rebels who want to fill their playing roster for 2011, we have come to the conclusion that the March 15 date is the best balance for all parties,” he said in a statement.
“It was never going to be an exact science and after assessing the current situation, this is the best way forward.”
The Rebels’ wish-list includes five Wallabies – ACT Brumbies centre and former Australian skipper Stirling Mortlock, NSW five-eighth Berrick Barnes, Western Force flanker David Pocock and NSW prop Benn Robinson.
The Rebels are waiting to hear back from former league Test star Mark Gasnier, who is playing rugby in France, after the ARU tabled him a formal offer.
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Altona Rebel said | February 23rd 2010 @ 6:00am | Report comment
On March 15 the first news will be Stirling Mortlock signs a two year deal with the Rebels.
Going to see my Bookie, this is the easiest Money I’ll earn this year
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | February 23rd 2010 @ 9:28am | Report comment
You could be right……that leaves 13 at the Brumbies for Two Dads, and hopefully we can convince Mark Gerrard or JOC to come play fullback.
AndyS said | February 23rd 2010 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Lay down misère you’d have to think, given todays thinly veiled hint by Fagan!
formeropenside said | February 23rd 2010 @ 7:42am | Report comment
What a disaster for Australian rugby. Now the existing States (and “provinces”) have to scramble to keep the talent they have, suddenly with 6 weeks less to close the deal than otherwise.
Hopefully Queensland, Australia’s greatest rugby nursery of true talent, can keep those players it wishes and avoid a repeat of the Force fiasco.
Thanks for nothing ARU.
Altona Rebel said | February 23rd 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Think you might be wrong with the reds formeropenside, they look like the only Australian team on the up and players will want to stay because they know there is something special about to happen. With players like Copper, Horwill, Genia, Hardman, Humphries and Hynes the Reds are going to be a Power again in Australian Rugby. I think the Tahs and the Brumbies are the ones to watch out this time.
Justin said | February 23rd 2010 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Well if they havent signed players by now then that is very poor management. This was always going to be happening this year , its just a few months earlier than originally planned.
Remember the existing teams already have players, the Rebels, who will be starting from a long way back, have just signed their first!
If you think the Rebels are getting a leg up have a look at what the AFL is doing for their new teams. The ARU isnt even in the same ball park!
Harry said | February 23rd 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
The ARU have buggered it up again. The Rebels will now start pestering players to sign for them and it is only week 3, of the competition.Suggest ARU be made to import some talented officials from SA and New Zealand to bring some sense back into running rugby in this country . These 2 countries don’t have the same nonsense disrupting their teams nor will they favour Aussie teams [ Waratahs and Brumbies in particular] with all teams having the same rights.The ARU gave the Rebels permisson to import 10 players yet MacQueen says he wants to favour Australian players so he will upset the present teams to achieve that. Offer the same terms to the Reds and Force. If O’Neill wants bums on seats he has got to have a better approach to the supporters.
Hammer said | February 23rd 2010 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Justin is right – the answer’s simple each team should have or needs to ensure they signed up …. the Rebels and ARU have been put in their place in no uncertain terms by the NZRFU in respect to the attempted poaching of Mark Hammett as the Rebels forwards coach next season .. and I expect that this is a line in the sand in respect to other attempted poaching raids
this is going to cause a massive mess again to Australian rugby – i expect all of the current 4 teams to be severely weakened by this … and while I’ve no doubt the Rebels will have a reasonable starting 15 on paper – the depth will be the issue – perhaps it’s a good job the conference system is in – it may just mask the standard of rugby on display …