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Former Australian coach Bob Dwyer believes the post-World Cup exodus of stars from the Wallabies could help to unearth the next Michael Hooper.
However, Dwyer says it is “beneath our dignity” for the ARU not to consider overseas players for Wallabies selection and should change their policy immediately.
Sekope Kepu and Nic White are the latest Wallabies to announce they will leave Australia after this year’s World Cup tournament.
NSW Waratahs prop Kepu has signed a three-year deal to join French Top 14 club Union Bordeaux-Begles, who last month unveiled the key signing of Adam Ashley-Cooper.
And Brumbies halfback White will link with French rivals Montpellier on a two-year contract.
NSW strike weapon Ashley-Cooper announced his intentions in December on the same day ex-Wallabies skipper James Horwill signed off on his move to English side Harlequins.
Horwill’s Queensland teammate Will Genia has been linked to a post-World Cup move to English club Bath.
The latest news sounded alarm bells for ex-Wallabies skipper Phil Kearns who believed Australia’s Super Rugby clubs should beef up their teams by launching their own international raids post-World Cup.
But 1991 World Cup-winning mentor Dwyer had faith in Australia’s player depth, saying Hooper was an example of the quality player that could emerge to fill the void left by the departing Wallabies.
“We might lose top level players after the World Cup but I am certain we will bring other players through,” he told AAP.
“There are more very good players than we know about.
“An example is Michael Hooper who just a couple of seasons ago no one knew anything about.
“He became a world class international player (in the injured David Pocock’s absence) and subsequently the Wallabies captain.
“I think there is enough proof there that we have enough very good players if we could just expose them to the right level of competition.”
But Dwyer said it was time for the ARU to follow South Africa’s lead and consider overseas players for Wallabies selection.
“We ought to do it immediately,” he said.
“I think it is arrogant to say ‘if you aren’t going to play in Australia we are not going to select you’.
“I think it is beneath our dignity to make such a call.
“I think we should be saying ‘we want to support you in your career development in every way we can’ and make them available for Wallabies selection.
“South Africa do it – if it’s good enough for them how come it is not good enough for us?”
Meanwhile, Kearns said South African lock Jacques Potgieter’s success at the reigning champions NSW Waratahs showed what could be achieved if Australian Super Rugby teams launched more poaching raids.
“Maybe we need to look overseas and drag some of them back over here,” he told Fox Sports TV.
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.