The NRL has blocked Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus from taking up a coaching role with Super Rugby club the Brumbies.
Earlier on Thursday, the Canberra-based franchise announced the 34-year-old would travel to the nation’s capital once a week to assist the Brumbies as their “collision coach”.
His new role in teaching tackle-specific skills was described as his preparation for life after football as he enters his final NRL season with the Knights.
But the NRL weren’t willing to authorise the position with their cross-code rivals, given salary cap conditions apply to all currently-contracted players.
“Neither Danny Buderus nor the Knights have sought permission from the NRL to enter into a third party agreement as his playing contract requires and as the club is required under the salary cap rules,” NRL interim chief executive Shane Mattiske told Fairfax Media.
“It is hard to envisage any circumstance where an agreement could be approved that allowed a current NRL player to promote another code competing in the same market as an NRL team.
“The announcement today which saw Danny at a press conference in another code’s training gear underlines potential issues.
“We will be seeking an immediate response from the Knights and, as much as we respect Danny’s intentions, we do not see any way in which the proposal can be pursued.”
Buderus earlier described his decision as a golden chance to get a start in the coaching ranks.
But Mattiske said Buderus has access to a range of programs provided by his organisation and the players’ association to increase opportunities away from the game.
“In conjunction with the RLPA, we provide a range of specialist services to assist players in maximising off-field careers and these are all available to Danny and all players,” said Mattiske.
Buderus has played 242 games for Newcastle and was the last NSW captain to win a State of Origin series – back in 2005.
Bakkies
Guest
I don't have a link handy but you google will bring up a host of recent links about it. The ACT election was just held and the Government as an election promise mentioned that they will contribute to UC development (which will benefit the Brumbies and other sports). The Brumbies are a community team despite the alleged distancing from it under Friend and Rea. White has followed the Macqueen principle and made them get out and about rather then sitting on the lounge playing the XBox after training. From reports the players always eat together, go to the movies together (in an article about Ben Mowen his partner said he would go to the cinema with about 20 of his team mates), the captain who is an outsider has made an effort to fit in and now the players are there full time to play club Rugby (some of the blokes that have moved from Qld in the past like Chisholm lived in Canberra year round).
Bakkies
Guest
. duplicate post
Nostradamus
Guest
Brumbies seem like a community team whereas the waratahs seem like a franchisee (eg McDonalds). Maybe this will change but do you have a link to UC funding...
Bakkies
Guest
The Brumbies have got a mostly raw squad with the big money earners AAC, Giteau, Elsom, etc plus a few full timers from the old coaching regime gone (Finegan, Young, Marsh, etc). Laurie Fisher is basically doing the forwards job that two coaches were paid to do under Andy Friend/Tony Rea. Rea didn't have the Rugby background so he needed a lot of specialists. White/Friend/Rea recruited a whole heap of rookies/unknowns to replace the players that left. The bulk of them would still be on peanuts compared to what the Tahs and Reds would be forking out for their squads. Though the Tahs don't publish their membership figures, I say the Brumbies would have more members/season ticket holders. The marketing overheads wouldn't be as high either as the Brumbies coexist against teams like the Raiders rather then seeing it as a code war. The Brumbies also have ACT Government funding and it looks like they will be part funding the new proposed training centre at UC. There hasn't been the big turnover at board level in comparison to NSW and Queensland. The Brumbies have only really had three CEOs (Sinderberry, Rob Clarke, Andrew Fagan) and they are passionate Rugby people. They wouldn't be squandering money either. The management have always managed to generate a profit and have never been bailed out by the ARU unlike NSW and Queensland. Due to the small catchment and population there wouldn't be high development costs for the grassroots either that the big two would require.
NF
Guest
Players do have a right to promote themselves but to another code while under contract to Buderus's current code is ludicrous.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
The joke here is the salary cap and third party endorsements. Surely players have the right to promote themselves in the off season?
Red Kev
Guest
Incredible that Jake White is naive enough to think that he didn't have to check his contract, shows his lack of understanding of the Australian rugby landscape - in South Africa rugby would have the juice to smooth that over, not here.
nitejet
Guest
Absolutely ludicrous proposal to start with.Looks like a dodgy way around the salary cap.And can anyone explain how Hunter Sports didn't know anything about this?Another PR disaster for the Tinkler organisation.
DJW
Guest
What's this guy thinking? Has he no pride for his club? Parading around in another teams colours, and from another code?????? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If he had gone through the right channels advising the NRL of his plan,think he may have had a fair case. It is not as if a part time coaching position in another code,is a PR exercise or advertising stunt,as he is really behind the scenes. Although some may argue, its's like working for Woolworths and teaching Cole's employees marketing techniques at night.Bit of a conflict.This is BTW the same Jake White, who a few years ago had a shot at rugby league culture. I believe Wally those types of attempted tackles are frowned upon in rugby league.Shoulder charges on their last legs. Perhaps you should have had a shot at John Muggleton former Eel's player and Wallabies defensive coach.
Wally James
Roar Guru
Incredible to think Buderus and Newcastle didn't realise the NRL would ark up over that one. But on another note, do we want any leaguie tackling influence in Rugby? Grapple tackle, headlocks, shoulder charges, chicken wings. I mean... really.... do we need it?
Crockycrocky
Guest
Still want to know how our Brumbies have all of a sudden got cash to have the extra consultant coaches they 'need'. NRL have just announced they've blocked it BUT apparently we could have afforded it. Does the Brumbies accountant know something that we don't? Has the proposed redevelopment gone thru and been sold to a developer? C'mon Brumbies CEO it's great that you are able to support all of Whites proposals but how are you funding it?
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
The Brumbies paraded him in Canberra today, but it's unlikely that the Knights or the NRL will permit this appointment to go ahead.