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Veteran NRL player finds a part-time job utilising his skills on the recommendation of his coach, and is very excited about entering a new chapter of his life while his playing days wind down.
Despite the blessing of his bosses, and with almost unheard of co-operation between current and future employers, there’s one small detail: his new employer is a rival code.
And that’s how the fight started…
I’ve often thought that my esteemed colleague David Lord’s use of the word ‘reactionary’ to describe the NRL management was a bit harsh at times, but I could be starting to come around the Lordy’s way of thinking.
On Thursday, the Brumbies sent out an email advising of a rather exciting announcement with regard to their coaching staff, and that it involved an NRL great.
Though I’d convinced myself that former Souths winger, Ziggy Niscot, was set for a code switch, current Newcastle Knights and former NSW hooker, Danny Buderus, was unveiled as a consultant “Collision Coach” for the ACT-based Super Rugby side.
Brumbies coach, Jake White, was there in the presser hailing his new signing:
“For the Brumbies, we are gaining some expert advice on the initial contact and first-up tackle which is an important part of the modern game. In 2012, our defensive record was one of the best in Super Rugby, but much of that was thanks to our commitment to each other and ability to scramble.
“I think with Danny’s help, we can make further improvements to our defence. I’ve spoken to Danny several times about the season ahead and he’s excited to be a part of the organisation. His record in rugby league speaks for itself and from what I can gather, he’s a fantastic guy off the field too.
“I’d like to thank the Newcastle Knights, in particular their head coach Wayne Bennett for being so accommodating with Danny’s services.”
Unsurprisingly, Buderus – looking resplendent in the Brumbies training kit – was pleased to start a post-playing life in area he knows plenty about:
“For me to be given a chance to start my coaching career with the Brumbies was an opportunity too good to pass up. Coaching is something I’ve always thought would be an interesting way to keep a connection with sport once I’d finished playing and this opportunity certainly allows me to start the ball rolling.
“While all of my professional experience has been with rugby league, I’ve got an interest in all sports and have followed the progress of the Wallabies over the years.
“The Brumbies have a young group of players with plenty of potential. Considering my own experience I’m looking forward to contributing to their program and making an impact on the way the boys tackle and defend.”
The plan is – or was, it seems – for Buderus to spend one day a week in Canberra with the Brumbies during their pre-season up until Christmas, and then in Buderus’ words, ‘we’ll see what happens after that’. Obviously, it is going to be difficult to still play and coach another team in another code in another city.
Except that by late Thursday afternoon, the NRL had decided to play fun police.
“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 said late on Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
Really?
So what’s really the issue here, is it the fact he’s found another job in a different code, or is it that he’s found another job in a different code while he’s still playing?
How is it any different to say, the Wallabies using current Sydney Swans Academy coach, Paul Roos, for a couple of coaching sessions under the high ball?
In fact, how is it really different to Buderus taking up a part-time off-season job as a landscaper, or as a brickie, or as an office lackey with a club sponsor?
And how the bloody hell could there possibly be salary cap issues for the Knights, as has been reported? Surely, this deal is less suspect than if Buderus suddenly became a Knights “development officer”? Will the NRL cover Buderus’ lost earnings now?
If the issue is the promotion of Brumbies sponsors, then surely it can be worked so that Buderus does the job in his own training gear. Or the Knights’ gear, given the two clubs have obviously spoken about the arrangement.
If the NRL really thought about it, they’d see that this appointment is actually a nod to the defensive techniques and methods used within rugby league. They would see that the game they derived from wants to learn from the game they’ve become.
Let the deal go ahead, it just looks petty to play ‘bovver boys’ on a deal that benefits all involved.