How do the ARU ensure the best Wallabies stay in Australia, while making certain that the remaining players in the Super Rugby competition are well paid enough not to leave?
Where does the ARU get the money to financially compete to keep its best Wallabies playing in Australia and from being plundered by cashed up French and UK clubs?
I wrote a similar article a year ago suggesting a revised model for the ARU to adopt. The ARU is having more difficulty in protecting the game in Australia, because it’s current model is too grandiose as the financially strapped ARU does not have enough money to do everything.
The ARU’s biggest brand and the biggest money generator is the Wallabies. It’s obligation is to protect this brand at all costs.
The simple fact is the ARU cannot afford to keep the whole squad together. This position will only to deteriorate as the gap between the money in Australia versus the big money available overseas is only going to widen.
The lure of a Wallaby jersey is important, but clearly there is a price on that too.
I am thinking of the most recent departure of Kane Douglas, but Ben Mowen and Digby Ioane also come to mind.
So what should the ARU do?
I think it is time to consider tweaking the current Wallaby eligibility rules.
Why not allow a player having played 50+ Tests for Australia to be permitted to play overseas and still be eligible to be selected for the Wallabies.
This will keep the bulk of the Wallabies playing in Australia in the Super Rugby competition building the all-important combinations, as well as keeping an eye on their workloads.
The other benefit to the ARU is it would free up their cash reserves from having to pay the most expensive top ups for the top 10 players of a squad. The ARU could shed the cost of many of the top 10 top ups and reduce this squad down to say 25 players or have 50 players on less money. It would be interesting to see how the numbers work.
The other benefit is that the Wallaby selectors would have the luxury to choose from the best talent onshore and select the overseas Wallabies if need be.
I think this would maintain the strength of the Wallabies and maintain the international standing of Australia as the competition for the best players heats up.
I also think by providing a goal to those players and managers approaching 50+ Tests would keep them in Australia longer and for less money.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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