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.
Ian Noble
Guest
Read my posting. The door is closing on the non EU journeyman. Financial constraint and the heavy investment in academies plus incentives to reduce non EU players is impacting heavily. Unfortunately it will probably hit the PI players more than the "marquee" players from the 3Ns.
Timmypig
Guest
Nobody seems to have factored in the utter financial disaster facing many Eurozone nations, and the UK too. If another of the PIIGS eceonomies tanks and puts their hand up for a Greece - style banking bail out, the coffers are empty ... Will the lure of playing in Europe remain as strong with the Euro & Sterling plummetting? I don't know, just throwing it out there.
scarlet
Guest
There are also restrictions on the number of foreign born players that can turn out for UK based clubs. It is the natural ebb and flow of commercial life. If it is such a problem then let the local Union top up the centrally contracted players pay packets or innovate. Play more games, broaden the competition, maybe create a Asia Pacific club competition as something of a feeder mechanism, or create a revised Super 15 by splitting the existing structure and involving Japanese, PI, Argentinian and Asian regional franchises. That way you would broaden the TV audience and also the revenue stream. The world is evolving increasingly rapidly due to globalisation, free(r) trade and technology so the game has to evolve and innovate. I don't think that we can legislate to stop player movement so back solve from the problem to find an innovative solution. If cash is the answer then how do you find more cash? It's not as simple as that but its a start
Peter K
Guest
hahahahaha. You state The vast bulk of them were born in NZ or came out as small children as part of the big wave of immigration since the 70s. The exact same can be said for the majority of NZ born but not bred players in the australian system. So many kiwis have emmigrated to oz, it is not a matter of cheque book and buying it in. You mention Cooper, what professional team did he ever play for in NZ? None. Not the same situation at all. Its not predatory behaviour just normal commercial behaviour. It is up to the unions to increase transfer fees to reflect the expense that the union made to train and develop these players. It is also against the interests of english and french rugby that so many of their own players cant get in due to the number of foreigners. It wont be long though that they will put barriers in place for non eu players getting in.
The Colonel
Guest
There's no doubt the continuing player exodus is hurting NZ rugby. Someone described it the other day as the annihilation of "middle management". All the back-up players have gone, leaving behind a tier of old timers, very top tier players and newbies coming out of the age ranks. An estimated 70 first class NZ rugby players are plying their trade overseas. Many of them would slot nicely into a Super 14 franchise. A handful would be seriously considered for the All Blacks - Hayman definitely, Nick Evans quite possibly, Aaron Mauger an outside chance and perhaps Rico Gear. The worst thing, though, is the emigration of promising players with good NPC and Super 14 records before they have even had a chance to try out for the ABs. The latest such example is impressive Hurricanes (and former Crusaders) lock/blindslide Michael Patterson, just turned 25 and heading for the big bucks on offer up north. I'm all for free trade, but this is predatory behaviour by the northern hemisphere clubs. There should be a limit to the overseas players thay can poach. And don't give me the lecture about NZ and Polynesian players. The vast bulk of them were born in NZ or came out as small children as part of the big wave of immigration since the 70s. But the more worrying instance of economic and sporting imperalism is the drift of NZ rugby talent across the Tasman, extending all the way down from the head coach (Robbie Deans) to a host of talented players in the Super 14, such as Quade Cooper. One could argue that Australian rugby, lacking the depth of talent of NZ, has simply decided (like the northern clubs) to just open its cheque book and buy it in. All legal. All completely above board. But just a little bit off.
tommy l
Guest
Rugby in the SH is falling behind not only because of the competition, but because the amount of matches played by each team is significantly less. Super teams can't supply a sufficient amount of money to run teams because Super teams play 13 matches a year, when NH teams can be playing up to 26 not including the heineken cup which can include an extra 9 matches. Teams in SH can't compete money wise with NH when they have wealthy investors that don't have any commitments to regional unions preventing them from earning money. Rugby in Ireland isn't that weak compared to Italy and Scotland. Average crowds for thier magners league teams are much higher than those in Scotland. Wales having rugby as their national sport have an ability to survive through government funding and local support although their teams also have lower average attendance than in Ireland.
sheek
Guest
pothale, In football, how do the smaller premier leagues survive? What do the do to keep their heads above water? I imagine the best Irish players are in England & elsewhere, but does the local league manage to survive? I say this with a view to what might happen in rugby union. Also, interesting to note that traditionally, there are always only 2-3 clubs that dominate the major premier leagues in Europe, & consequently, it seems the same clubs are appearing in the Champions Cup. For example, in England its always either Manchester Utd, Arsenal or Chelsea. In Italy, it's always either Inter Milan, AC Milan or Juventus. Is there anything from football's experience to prevent RU going down the same path?
Derm
Roar Guru
Added to that is further news out today that some Irish players centrally contracted will have their salaries cut by up to 50%. Those nearing the end of their career `re facing sever cuts in their salary from next season. Gordon Darcy, Peter Stringer, Shane Horgan and Marcus Horan are among the names mentioned. On top of that, the IRFU intends to reduce the number of central contract players from 30 to 21 who they pay directly. Basic salaries will drop from €200,000 to €120,000 as the IRFU faces up to the reality of paying for Lansdowne Road redevelopment. Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara, and Stephen Ferris will also face substantial pay custs next year after the RWC in the Southern Hemisphere. Commitments to provincial development and staff are also being cut back. This could truly be the end of the golden age of Irish rugby as playing talent drifts abroad to play in other countries and potentially play for other countries. Is it any wonder that Leinster were so lacklustre in their Magners League final this evening conceeding to Ospreys who lifted the trophy this year.
Jerry
Guest
McCaw hasn't had a sabbatical or played in Europe. He's also indicated that if he does take a sabbatical it would be to take some time off rugby completely rather than playing overseas (rather like Ali Williams had planned to before his achilles injury made it a moot point).
sheek
Guest
Yeah, this has already happened with Elsom (AUS), McCaw & Carter (NZL), & Matfield & Smit (RSA). It might be a case of if "you can't beat 'em, then join 'em". Better to lose a player for two years rather than the remainder of his career.
Ian Noble
Guest
The world of professional sport is in the NH is changing. As a result the opportunities for players outside the EU will inevitably reduce. Rugby in England has a salary cap and the RFU has instigated financial incentives for clubs to increase the English qualified in their match squads to over 15 out of 22. The increasing volume of young professional English players coming through the academies means they are now moving into the senior squad, plus the improving standard of the second tier Championship is increasing the pool. There will always be the demand for the "marquee" player, partly because of the continuing need to market the game, but the open door policy is closing. There are only 3 Clubs in the EPL that make a annual profit, Leicester, Northampton and Bath. Next year Top 14 in France brings in a salary cap of 7M Euros, which must also impact on non EU players. Soccer in England will also change as directives from EUFA will force change and reduce non EU players in match day squads. On the financial side, in the last few days EUFA have issued another directive about the financial structure of football clubs with the threat that if they don't adhere to the new directives they will be banned from EUFA competitions. It could hit clubs such as Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City et al, in the EPL very hard. These directives will impact on players salaries etc as the debt in the EPL is £3BN and is generally considered to be unsustainable.
Coach Ed.
Roar Rookie
Rugbyfanatic Coach Ed here. Thanks for the feedback. You are in a tight spot as is every parent with sons in a similar situation. I guess their are no guarantees and the hardest part is making the decision. However, once that decision is made, no matter the outcome, as a family you all have to go along 100%. The son must never feel that he has to justify the (his) decision, but rather as a family, "we take the risk together". In that way, if it does not work out, he will always have your support. I have seen some players' careers go horribly wrong, often due to bad luck and years later these kids are still hurting. We, as parents and coaches, never want scars to develop. It is a sport and somewhere, fun and excitement should still play a part. Good luck.
Coach Ed.
Roar Rookie
Hi Sheek Coach Ed here. The problem is complex and maybe we should, as individual countries, look at setting up a system of contracting players early in their careers with a clause whereby we allow them to go overseas, but with the blessing of their home unions. This trip North is then for a stipulated period of time. In this way, the home union could then negotiate with the player to return on reasonable terms. It just means the "loyalty" factor is not compromised and parents and players could make informed decisions with their unions. It will limit the infighting and scrummage to contract players that you might not need, but do it just in case. It will also give players more "my country was good to me and I am going back" feeling. What I am trying to say is the three Southern Hemisphere Unions should set up an operation like international businesses do. You apply to work in Spain or Germany, and the company sends you for say, two years. Maybe something like that... who knows?
Derm
Roar Guru
Hmmm - but he still could be right. France is the place to develop, play good rugby and earn very good money. Doesn't matter where you come from - SH or NH. Top 14 is now the premier rugby league in the world.
Alders
Guest
He was being genuine I think. Sometime Fitzsimmons is miles off the mark but on occasion he is spot on. Same with many of the football writers. There is one in particular but I can't remember his name. Anyway, he just provides constant drivel. He argued that the white population were getting the bug in South Africa. Firstly, who would honestly ignore such an event. Two, they are probably much more likely to be able to afford it.
scarlet
Guest
In many ways the same problems are faced by soccer globally with the UK Premier League pillaging player stocks worldwide with huge chequebooks. This is leading to some financial crises within the game and complaints in the UK about a lack of home grown players, but it has also created a crucible for talent and talent development. Union is now professional and the genie is well and truly out of the bottle, never to return. Accordingly the money gravitates to the largest markets where sponsors distribute their product. With the best will in the world there will always be more corporate funding in a market of 300 million (the EU) than there will in say 21 million in Australia. More money in sponsorship allows higher wages and an entirely different business dynamic at club level, without even taking in to account the fact that a large number of European clubs are privately owned by very wealthy me who want to win. The money is here to stay, it is bigger in Europe and there will be no change to that unless the local dynamics are changed by the local union. Therefore, unless the SANZAR unions stump up more cash to provide salary equalisation the player drain will continue to ebb and flow. Ambition, greed and location will all play a part. It's all about the money with the tribal loyalty of Club, State and Country often taking second place. If the Unions pay players more they will discover greater loyalty!! Funny that. I am not saying that it is right, simply that those are the facts.
Farqwar
Guest
Sorry, I have no idea what you mean, I will assume it is some witty Peter Fitzsimons style comment that only he understands!
sheek
Guest
PK, Do they still learn to bite off ears, poke eyes completely out & rip scrotums apart over in France? Back to our super comp, while we're losing only the fringe players at present, the worry is we might begin losing the better players unless the serious home issues are addressed. I'm disappointed we can't bring back the the best 100 rugby union players (if in fact there's that many) plying their trade in Europe & Japan. Just imagine the depth they would add to the domestic premier rugby comps, not to mention a possible rebirth of the ARC. But with those players overseas, any thought of a national comp at present is a pipe dream only. Expanding our player base is so critical. Do that & we might then eventually provide a national comp like ANZ Cup & Currie Cup to bring in extra revenue, which in turn will hopefully keep players in Australia. While the situation isn't critical at present, we can't afford to be complacent about the future. We continue to mimic football in many ways, & professional players will definitely follow the money.
sheek
Guest
And I was worried I was being conservative saying 100 of our best footballers are off-shore...!
Max
Guest
Hmmm I think you should try not to think so much.