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Cheika wants creative player contracting
Adrian Warren
28th January, 2015
3
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Adrian Warren
28th January, 2015
3

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has revealed the Australian Rugby Union are looking at more creative contracting to try and stop the talent drain overseas.

A number of players including James Horwill, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Scott Higginbotham and Sekope Kepu have already announced they will be heading offshore after the World Cup, in what looms as potentially the biggest block of senior Wallabies to head overseas at one time.

Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver reiterated on Wednesday he wanted to retain the stipulation that restricts Wallabies selection to players turning out for the five Australian Super franchises.

Cheika isn’t looking for that to be axed or loosened, but is trying to find alternative ways of halting the exodus.

`”It’s more about how we approach contracting,” Cheika told AAP at the Australian Super Rugby launch in Sydney.

“We’ve been talking the last few days about how we can make that more creative, which is what we should be good at in Australia, and making something out of nothing.

“Some of those talks have been going quite well, so hopefully we’ll be able to attack the contracting piece a little bit differently going forward so that we’re not feeling like we’re getting attacked by other country’s teams taking our players.”

Cheika didn’t want to elaborate on the creative measures being explored, but Pulver confirmed the process was well under way.

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“We have a dedicated player contracting group chaired by Mark Sinderberry and with representation from the Super Rugby clubs and the Australian Rugby Union, so we are absolutely open to any creative ideas.” Pulver said.

“There are some fundamental things that we don’t want to tamper with and the big one is whether you pick Wallabies who are not playing in the domestic rugby season.

“I still retain the view that if you open that up you risk having a Super Rugby competition with no profile and not a lot to offer for fans.”

Pulver stopped short of predicting a Wallabies win at the World Cup, admitting their performances had not been at an acceptable level.

“Yet I think we’ve got a playing group and a coaching group coming through that can make a real point of difference,” Pulver said.

Pulver regarded the World Cup as a primary weapon to grab attention back for rugby, admitting football was “enjoying a moment in the sun”, with the Socceroos having a successful Asian Cup campaign.

He was confident in Cheika’s ability to juggle his dual roles of Wallabies and Waratahs coach.

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“I’ve worked closely with Michael for the last couple of months and he seems right on top of it,” Pulver said

After a tumultuous end to 2014 marked by Kurtley Beale’s two off-field indiscretions and the resignations of Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie and official Di Patston, Pulver was understandably hoping for a less turbulent year,.

“When you are in the world of professional sport you would like to think all of your players are going to behave superbly all year,” Pulver said.

“I think they are well educated in terms of the behaviours we want from them and I’m hoping we have a nice smooth year in 2015.”

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