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Ben Mowen’s sudden departure from Australian rugby is a disaster for the ARU. No amount of spin or counter-argument will disguise this fact.
Losing a potential World Cup captain – in his prime – is the ultimate slap in the face for an organisation that refuses to move with the times and can’t see the inherent contradictions in some of their actions.
The ARU does not permit overseas-based players to be selected for the Wallabies. Even greats like Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau and George Smith, who could still offer a lot, are not allowed to wear the green and gold as long as they remain in the northern hemisphere.
Yet the ARU are happy to chase league stars to fill talent voids within the Wallabies.
Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers, Lote Tuqiri and Israel Folau are the most notable NRL converts to flourish in international rugby.
Quade Cooper, Radike Samo, Will Genia, Digby Ioane, David Pocock, Stephen Moore, Sitaleki Timani, Mike Harris, Joseph Tomane and Cooper Vuna are among some of the recent Wallabies to be born overseas, yet Australian born players overseas can’t wear Wallaby gold.
A professional rugby player has a very short time-span in the game. That’s why many players leave Australia early to make bigger coin in Europe.
Why is this problem for the ARU? Why are the limits of trade so strident?
In football very few of the Socceroos are based in the A-League yet they can still represent Australia. Has domestic football suffered as a result of this?
The Australian Rugby Union doesn’t have the talent base to simply ignore overseas based players.
The Wallabies have lost 17 of their last 21 games against the All Blacks.
In Super Rugby, the Force have won 36 of 113 games and never made the playoffs. The Rebels are even worse with 12 wins in 48 games. These two franchises have been propped up by average or ageing Kiwis like Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson and Jayden Hayward.
Worse, the ARU don’t have a domestic competition outside of Super Rugby. Why would you stay?
South Africa have realised the folly of preventing players chasing overseas coin.
Francois Louw, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Brian Habana and Morné Steyn are just some of the current Springboks who have spent time in Europe recently. In 2013 their results were the best they have been since 2009, 10 wins in 12 games.
In New Zealand the NZRFU was forced to agree to a ‘sabbatical’ to keep Ma’a Nonu and Daniel Carter in the All Blacks. New Zealand went 14-0 in 2013.
For attention in winter Australian rugby has to compete with the NRL and the AFL; in New Zealand and South Africa rugby rules.
The best chance for Australian rugby to flourish is to field the strongest possible Wallaby XV.
Only then will rugby start to make some serious inroads in the winter-code battle and maybe the Wallabies will start winning more.
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.