Rebels want more Wallabies

wouldnt be a surprise if berrick barnes came back from Japan and played for the rebels.

I really like Carter, his physicality in contact and in particular his ruck cleanout have really improved out of sight in the last couple of seasons. He is carrying an injury at the moment so I'd want to see him come back from that before we put him in an even more physical environment. I would also like to see him take over the lineout calling when Mowen moves on at season's end. This year I think Simmons, Horwill, Douglas and Jones are the front runners for the lock positions in the Wallabies with the option to move Fardy in (although I'd leave him at 6) and Skelton bringing up the next tier (I'd also leave Skelton to keep developing, he really needs to lift his fitness and keep refining his technique, got away with losing his feet a bit on the weekend). For me, Carter is the next cab off the rank after the above group and I back him to make that next level in the next year or so based on his improvement so far.

Rebels could look at trying to get either CL or Toomua to move from the Brumbies.

I would really like to see more Rebels vying for Wallaby selection - apart from anything else its healthy for Australian rugby. But I don't think the picture looks good in the short term: Luke Jones deserves a call up to the Wallabies bench. Higginbotham may even lose his spot, with Hodgson, McCalman and Palu all putting pressure on 6/8. Burgess is likely to get a call up at some point, especially if Genia and/or White are injured. Apart from them, its difficult to pick Rebels who would press for test selection this year.

NT should be tapped for talent. Pity the Brumbies link didn't last.

@ PeterK : talking of developing talent, it seems Bundee Aki will go to UK (Ireland?) as a "recruited development player." so maybe in 3 years (?) he will play for ireland :) in footy there are rules against poaching. thus Barca cannot trade for the next 15 months in transfer windows. but many other sports / games are less regulated in that regard. for example the talking point in England these days is a young sprinter , who may qualify due to his present country is not exactly a country :)

The franchise in question would have to have more money available than the ARU can offer for that to be a possibility. Players aren't going to be content sitting around outside the matchday 22 if it is costing them a chance at Wallaby selection.

Tassie is a significant and successful feeder to the AFL. Clearly there are skills and talent available. Tassie could represent a new untapped market for talent. Support for the stuttering code in Tassie could reap real returns. However can't see the Sydney-centric ARU thinking that far out of the square sadly.

JONES is at least another 12 months away from being a Wallaby. He is far from battle hardened. My beef is that St. Kilda has two fine players also from Manly being a prop and a 7 who should be playing Shute Shield but are running around playing what is third grade rugby in Melbourne because the Rebels will not allow them back to Sydney on weekends These players are outside the game 23 and will only get a start in the game day squad if there are multiple injuries.

thats different, you do not have a salary cap BUT instead you limit a franchise to the best in each position, that way the best players represent and not sit on the bench. The ARU could put this in place.

Genia still has a beautiful pass. Best in the country. If the defence give him even a hint of an opening he cut them open and score for sure. He's extremely dangerous. Every team shuts him down. They must. His kicking is crap. His defence and general work rate are both great. With Genia, Cooper and Toomua, the WB have the basis for a very sound attack. Especially with Folau lurking. Just need a pack to hold its end up.

Was only here two years but just being born here satisfies the IRB eligibility criteria.

Players like SBW?

Jez ur thoughts on Sam Carter? any chance or needs more time?

They are professional Rugby players who ply their trade in a global market place seeking best remuneration for their services like a lot of other professions. International selection is incidental to their decision making as it's not guaranteed . Why should the rules for Rugby players be different than those for CEO, coaches and assistant coaches etc. Are you suggesting there should be some type of restraint of trade imposed based on nationality? Any sports organization that actively takes into account race, class or nationality in terms of recruitment doesn't deserve the word professional in their title (not withstanding any laws/regulations/agreements or protocols to the contrary) Restricting your place of employment to one country is plain stupid in the age of the global economy. How many people on this forum have only ever worked in one country ? Stop being hypocritical you have and you have my sympathy if you haven't. As usual it's just a small vocal minority.

After birth what was his period of residence in Australia? If he reaches the minimum period he acquires citizenship automatically regardless of the nationality of his parents. Assuming neither parent is a citizen I mean you can acquire citizenship without being born in Australia if either parent is a national , citizenship by descent.

With no salary cap in the place what's to stop richer franchises buying the talent and stockpiling it? At least one one club can dominate the playing stocks. Pro comps have salary caps for a good reason .

It's a pity Tassie doesn't have a presence in the NRC then Coleman is proof there's talent out there.

@ jeznez : H' Botham was calling and took more than others. I see a pattern; like when Mowen calls he gets more to himself and same for Horwill. there is no issue in that if ur the 2nd row like Matfield, but when a loosie keeps getting the ball most of the time it limits the next options IMO. BTW, i think OZ shuld look to life without Palu sooner

I have an idea. Give contracts to foreign born and bred players from NZ, Pacific Islands and Southern Aftica and then call them Australian. it is much easier just to poach other countries' players then develop our own. Oh wait, that's what all Australian teams do already. Oh well, it's not like rugby is going anywhere in this country anyway.