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I read with interest the comments from New Zealand about the player exodus to the Northern Hemisphere. It was suggested that loyal players remain whilst money grabbers travel. But I beg to differ.
Let me quantify why. In South Africa for example, we have had players going to play in France since the late 70s. Guys like Carel du Plessis, the great Springbok wing, who would probably have played 100 Tests had the country had different political policies.
In the amateur days, players in France were given a flat to live in and a car to share. Food was paid for and a small expense and entertainment budget was supplied. They all returned after the season ended, except a few like Nick Mallet, who eventually did return after six or seven years. Both these players ended up coaching the Springboks.
With the advent of professional rugby in 1996, the players were like crocodiles at a buck feast. The young turks thought they were entitled to millions. The club scene was in turmoil. Today it has settled down somewhat at club level, but it is still money driven.
Which brings me to the current crop of travelers. We can divide them into three categories: 1. Current Test players, 2. Young Up and Coming players, 3. Provincial players.
Most of the top Test players that have left their country to play in Europe are, or were, near the end of their careers (some exceptions like Frans Steyn).
Who can blame them? They have achieved their goals and through years of hard work, built up a name and now are getting good money to entertain in their twilight years. Guys like Marshall, Umanga, Rush, Sowerby, Latham and Smith. Brilliant players. They have paid their dues to their own countries. Good luck to them. But alas, these are not the guys that people complain about!
It’s the up and coming players everyone freaks about. How can they be so selfish? We taught them everything they know? They have no balls or backbone? Traitors – shoot them all!
Sometimes it is hard to swallow when another country “steals” your young players. Half of the England cricket team is South African. South Africa lost them. Truth be told, probably none of them would have been internationals in South Africa. It’s your own fault if you lose a player. It is not about loyalty. How many loyal players retired with regrets? Probably thousands!
To back this up, look at a few success stories. Mike Catt would probably not have made the “C” Springbok team throughout his career in South Africa, yet in England he flourished. Jono rolled him, yet he became a great after that little incident. Kevin Pietersen would still be a provincial player. Navratilova, Sharipova, Seles, they all played better after going to America where the setup was better at the time. So unless you can satisfy the youngster and their father, they will go.
With provincial players, look at it as their job, because the players do. If you can earn a salary of 100% more at another company, would you consider it? Please don’t say: “No, because I am a loyal person.” Crap, you’re an idiot.
Human nature is to better yourself, to want more. When you leave a company after 30 years, with your watch, who really cares? Your old buddies are also retiring; the new CEO couldn’t give a rat’s about ex-employees. The same applies to the rugby player, except, it’s worse.
When a player is injured, he is forgotten in a week. Unless he was a great, he is confined to a paragraph in history, if you look really hard. Rugby is an egotistical game. Rugby players, when relating stories of their glory days, are always better than they actually were (excluding the guys on TV week in week out) and were often a part of the “best” team in the school or the club’s history. Often, they were in the 3rd team.
Young players of today are in a hurry, for both glory and money. What is their primary objective when they start out as a professional player? To make a provincial side and then the national team.
Once they are in the provincial side, their dollar mind starts working. It’s like going into management. They start thinking about becoming the CEO or in this case, their international career. Suddenly, three years have passed, no call up. I am going nowhere he thinks.
Although he earns a good wage, he is getting older and in provincial rugby, getting older is experience without the pay rise. So now, he is the fifth best scrumhalf (still good) in the country and Marshall or du Preez are the best and they are only 21 or 22 years old. Future, what future?
Loyalty, yes that is still in my mind. Suddenly the agent arrives: “I have an offer from Europe for you” (How much? Not which club or where). “Twice what you get now!” Geez man, that’s awesome. What will my coach think, and the fans… how much did you say? Who would not consider it?
Definitely not a young guy of 25 whose career could end in a second through injury and who is not an international. If he hangs around, maybe he will get one Test without a contract. His father tells him, his agent tells him, and to his credit, his own logical mind tells him, “go for the money and the experience and enjoy yourself. You still have a bed to sleep in when you get back.”
In Europe he joins a very professional setup. Professional sport in Europe is streets ahead. He plays for Sale or Stade de Frances and every week he is treated like royalty. Spectators don’t knock him, like at home, because he is not a local. He learns about new cultures, meets new people in a new environment and all the while, is earning pounds. Two seasons and his house back home is paid for.
I would have loved it if I were 25 again. But alas, I am too old, and forgotten, but don’t get on your horse because I am old school and have no regrets. Too many great sporting memories to dampen my spirit.
So guys, the bottom line is that the “traveling rugby player” is here to stay. The only way to stop it is to ask the government if you can get more for your dollar at home. Maybe they will grant you your wish and then all the worlds best players will come to your country.
Or, then again, maybe the All Blacks will win the World Cup in 2011.
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.