Putting family first is the why Ben Mowen is leaving Australian rugby, but it’s also the reason why rival No.8 Wycliff Palu is staying put.
Incumbent Wallabies captain Mowen revealed on Thursday he would leave Australia at the end of this year and play in France.
He felt he would spend more time with his wife and young daughter in one country than he would travelling with the Wallabies.
“It must be be a pretty big decision to walk away from captaining your country,” said a surprised Palu at Waratahs training.
“If I was captain of Australia, I wouldn’t be walking away like that.”
Palu has invariably been linked to overseas clubs whenever his contract has come up for renewal in the past.
Just last year there was talk he would have a rugby sabbatical in Japan, before he ultimately committed to two more years in Australia.
Asked why he opted to stay at home, Palu said: “I think family and, stuff like that.
“I wanted to leave something behind, not just in Australian rugby, especially NSW, because they have done a lot for me and I just want to give back to the game before I head off.”
When it was suggested Mowen’s departure would remove one obstacle to his World Cup selection in 2015 Palu said: “I’m not thinking too far ahead.
“It would be disrespectful to these (Waratahs) blokes here.
“I’m just going to try to have a good season with the Tahs and go from there.”
Palu missed most of last year’s Test program with a knee issue.
The injury-prone forward said his body was feeling good as he enjoyed the benefits of a full pre-season after missing the Wallabies’ Spring tour.
“I think it was the best thing to happen to me to stay back and do a full pre-season,” Palu said.
One more Test appearance will give Palu his 50th cap, a milestone he said would be pretty special.
“I think it’s taken me 50 years to get there – that’s what it feels like,” Palu joked.
He said prize recruit Kurtley Beale was settling back well into the Waratahs after returning from Melbourne.
“Like he never left really,” Palu said.
“Just the spark he has around the group is awesome, so it’s good to have him back.”
pick & go..!!
Guest
"the ABs always smash the crap out of him, thats why he goes missing when he plays them." Name one AB that has smashed the crap out of him?
MARTO
Guest
+ 1
kiwi blogger
Guest
I can think of plenty of other forwards with better grunt and muscle - Lawes, Launchbury, Bekker, Etzebeth, Messam, Retallick, Whitelock, Read, Richie, Parisse, Lobbe....and they stay fit.
flying hori
Guest
Packs need balance and Palu provides fearful defence and world class muscle - ha ha ha who the hell is fearful of Palu, the ABs always smash the crap out of him, thats why he goes missing when he plays them.
pick & go..!!
Guest
+1 Dmac... I have never understood the criticism Palu gets? In the forwards the work in the tight must be won before you have the luxury of playing wide. Players like Kieran Read have always had that luxury of playing with some of the best tight forwards in the World. Which gives him the freedom to roam out wide.
pick & go..!!
Guest
+1 Dmac... I have never understood the criticism Palu gets? In the forwards the work in the tight must be won before you get the luxury of playing wide.. Something Kieran Read has always had, playing in a team with some of the best tight forwards in the world.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He killed it in the first test, the best player from either pack. Will be over the moon if he can stay fit and healthy - is an absolute legend.
Hawko
Guest
And where was Higgers all this international season? That's right, injured after about 16 Super rounds and off for surgery/rehab.
Mattjoe
Guest
Packs need balance and Palu provides fearful defence and world class muscle - the casual observer might take it for granted but oppositions don't like playing him and his team mates rate having him in the trenches very highly Higginbotham is firey, more athleticbut not yet as solid. Id have them both in the match day team - maybe even on the field at the same time
Dmac
Guest
Higgenbotham has done nothing to show he can step up yet.
Dmac
Guest
Stats-wise he did a lot of the hard work in those games. Those who want a wider game from their 8 don't appreciate that. I'd love to see him play with tight forwards actually doing the tight stuff, which he didn't get in those lions games.
PeterK
Guest
if he is so past it then how come he came second in votes to Hooper despite only playing half the games? He played very well in the first 2 Lions games.
PeterK
Guest
I am sure he could string games together on that basis, he would minimise physicality like Mowen did.
PeterK
Guest
Palu is far far more physical than Mowen. Since Mowen does not go as hard then of course he can play a lot of games straight. Like Gregan avoiding contact at the end of his career to prolong it.
Markus
Guest
Had a contract offer in Japan withdrawn after failing a fitness test. Played with Toulon briefly (but as the Toulon captain is fellow number 8 Joe van Niekerk, I don't think Rocky got much game time) and is now signed for Narbonne in the French division 2 competition.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Personally I find it refreshing to hear his comments about loyalty and giving something back. Onya mate! ;) Here's hoping that Michael Cheika can rev him up to become an absolute beast and weapon at the Tahs in attack & defense. Staying fit and healthy would be a good start. :(
pick & go..!!
Guest
Marto, I don't think Palu has ever got injured 10mins in? & Saying Higgers can already do what Palu does is laughable. Tah Man, What it comes down to is this. When all players are fit is Mowen 1st choice 8? The difference is Mowen chose to leave to set his family up financially.(which is not a bad thing) while Palu always chose to stay & fight for his position.(Palu has always been offered big$$$ off shore, but that ship has probably sailed with his two year signing with the tahs).
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
"stringent fitness and health levels to get a contract in Europe or Japan"? Where's Rocky playing? :(
flying hori
Guest
Guys like Migic Sponge have no idea what they're saying, Palu is wasted space, always injured, Higgenbottom to fill and hold the reins for a long time to come, more explosive and dynamic and plays more games then Palu
MARTO
Guest
Palu does get over-rated IMO. Far too often he seems to play like he weighs 20kg less than he does – slowing down, instead of accelerating, into contact. Lets be honest here, are we willing to put him in the team then to get injured 10 minutes in. We have so much depth in the backrow and i am damn sure that Palu can't do anything that Higggers can already do.CLIFFORD has had his day, when 100% fit he may be up to it ,but that was some time ago..