- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
I was horrified after reading last week’s article that suggested Israel Folau may take up a lucrative French deal after the World Cup next year.
In only his second season in professional rugby, he’s become arguably the best fullback in the world, and probably the best Australia has produced in its 115-year history.
That’s a big call after barely a dozen Tests, but he’ll be in the Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible if he sticks to Australian rugby.
Bill Pulver has already quashed speculation that the ARU may bend the eligibility rules for a player like Folau, so if he chooses to leave, that’s it. We lose the most exciting player and respectable role model since George Smith, just like that.
It would be a huge blow to Australian rugby if he left, there is no doubt about that, but I’m convinced that a French move would benefit Australian rugby in the long run more than it would cost us in the short run.
Folau was a mega-star in rugby league, so much so that the AFL paid him a truckload of cash just for the publicity, and if he does go to France, he’ll probably be the highest played rugby union player in the world, on possibly the biggest contract ever offered to a player.
Imagine those headlines resonating around rugby league circles. Israel Folau becomes the highest paid rugby union player in the world. It would certainly make the next generation of rugby league stars think twice about their career path.
With five Super Teams and an upcoming NRC, the development pathways are improving, so there’ll be even more opportunities for the next Folau to have a crack at the 15-man game. If we can get them into the NRC before they’re a household name in league, the ARU won’t have to pay a fortune for such talent.
I’d go further and say the ARU should turn this into an opportunity by allowing non-Super Rugby players to remain eligible for Wallaby selection after 50 Tests. At a minimum, that’s five seasons and a World Cup for Australia, which is pretty decent service before being given the option to chase fromage and still represent your country in a truly international game.
Compare that to a game where representing your state of origin is a greater challenge and honour than representing your country, and rugby union starts looking like a good choice when European cash is added to the equation.
As we’ve seen in the under-20s, the Northern Hemisphere is closing the gap between their standards and the big three of the South. Australia doesn’t have the same passion for union as our Kiwi and South African friend, so the ARU need to seize any opportunity they can to get the best Australian talent available into a gold jersey.
In the short term, we may prematurely lose one of the greatest players in our lifetime to France, but if that can be used as a catalyst to attract new talent into the NRC, Super franchises and Wallabies, then in the long run, we may well be better off.
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.