The risk of losing star Wallabies like Israel Folau after the 2015 World Cup has prompted the Australian Rugby Union to change its rules to allow overseas sabbaticals.
The ARU board has approved the introduction of ‘flexible contracts’ for a select number of players who commit their future to Australian rugby on long term-deals.
From 2016, the ARU will have the ability to offer players the opportunity to play one season in a foreign domestic competition during a long-term contract.
In addition, players who represent Australia in sevens at the Rio Olympic Games will be allowed to play the 2016-17 Japanese domestic season without affecting their eligibility for the Wallabies upon their return in 2017.
Players like fullback Folau and halfback Will Genia are among the biggest targets for cashed-up foreign clubs looking for Test stars after the next World Cup.
The ARU has traditionally prevented overseas-based players representing the Wallabies.
But the new flexible contracts allow the national body and Super Rugby provinces to reward players deemed to be making a significant contribution to the code in Australia.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the new policy would help retain players long-term.
“We’ve recognised that in the context of an increasingly global market for rugby players that we need to take a more flexible approach to player contracting,” Pulver said.
“As such, we need to be proactive and adapt our policies to best serve the interests of rugby in Australia.
“By adopting a flexible contracting model, we’re creating a platform for our players to experience what rugby has to offer in Australia and abroad, all while maintaining their allegiance to Australian rugby over a long-term period.
“We’re confident this flexibility will encourage players to make significant long-term commitments to Australian rugby and help us to minimise the number of players who permanently re-locate to foreign leagues.
“Decisions regarding all flexible contracts will be made on a case-by-case basis, understanding that our key priority remains that the Wallabies and Super Rugby provinces have a strong and deep playing pool of talent available each year.”
What the changes mean:
– Currently, players aren’t eligible to play for the Wallabies unless they’re registered in Australia and available for selection over a full Super Rugby season
– From 2016, however, the ARU can offer long-term `flexible contracts’ to a select number of players
– Each Super Rugby team will also be allowed to offer one `flexible contract’ per season to a non-nationally contracted player
– The deal allows them to play one season in a foreign domestic competition while contracted to the ARU
– Players who represent Australia at the Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics will also be allowed to play the 2016/2017 Japanese domestic season without affecting their eligibility to play for the Wallabies upon their return
– The ARU will manage the contracts to make sure there’s a “sufficiently strong pool” of players available for Test selection each year.
Marty
Guest
I agree with Moore, he's probably my favorite Wallaby. Palu, not the best 8 in Australia, easily replaced by other players of at least similar level, apparently played against AB's last week but not noticed. 50% agree with you.
HarryT
Guest
It has already happened. Sorry Kev, it was my poor attempt at humour.
Bunratty
Guest
Ah....my 'name' stems from a horse not from an island :)
Bakkies
Guest
Bunratty Folk Park in Co.Clare, Ireland.
jeramiah
Guest
Can any Aussie tell me why the money spent on O'Connor wasn't used on mowen or even the second rower from the warratah this is what needs sorting and now talk of k hunt signing that'sall well and good but without decent forwards they go nowhere
Bunratty
Guest
:) Prerogative(s) of the Leader!
Bunratty
Guest
folk park?
Cole
Guest
This is the idea many of us have been advocating for awhile now. It allows our best to gain experience and extra money without having to do a Ben Mowen esq farewell to international rugby. This also imo weakens overseas comps as a team will only get the player for one season creating no continuity in the club's roster season to season exposing them for what they are cashed up clubs
The Bush
Roar Guru
Moore and Palu fit the bill.
Bakkies
Guest
An Australian style with forwards and a good flyhalf.
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly. Are you a fan of the folk park?
Bakkies
Guest
It already is mate
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
South Africa already does exactly this. One of the gripes I have is that South Africa should be penalized a percentage of Super Rugby split revenues because their teams no longer contain their top players. This costs NZ and Auatralia in gate and broadcast numbers because our teams front up with McCaw Read Nonu Folau Beale and other stars but South Africa allows it's stars to just play in Japan or France and increase those competitions value. There IS a clause in both Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship that all SANZAR partners MUST supply their best players. The June and November test windows also have this contractual clause. But South Africa, and now possibly Australia will both be violating this clause in Super Rugby by letting your top players play overseas and it will cost NZ money. Springbok teams are still full power thankfully. So how about the 2016 Super Rugby revenue split goes 60% NZ 20% Aus 20% SA Until Australia and South Africa decide to supply their top players they don't deserve an equal revenue split with NZ because only NZ teams keep the big names in.
Bunratty
Guest
Yep..... a direct dilution effect.
The Curl
Guest
Didn't Pulver rule this out jut a few weeks ago, or am I going round the bend?
Brett McKay
Expert
Done!
Brett McKay
Expert
And that would be one reason why I can't imagine we'd see too many players given a season off at the same time, AiL..
Brett McKay
Expert
I haven't changed my tune at all Simon. I've said for a long time that I would much prefer something like sabbaticals than to pick overseas-based players. "We all know that the overall policy will get blurred over time with Steve Tew style ” SBW special exceptions” being introduced by the ARU in the future – out of necessity or public demand." No, we don't know that at all. Don't confuse your own conjecture with widespread acceptance. And the contracting system hasn't changed, for the record. The only thing that has changed is the allowance for sabbaticals for qualifying players from 2016. Which I will agree is a good initiative..
Harry Jones
Expert
Smart. Hey guys, here's a shout out to Cheika by Argentine lock Manuel Carizza: "Daniel Hourcade has come in with a new style and his own set of beliefs. I believe his training methods and emphasis on a high-tempo game is most similar to the Australian style of play. From what I hear, Hourcade most admires Michael Cheika’s philosophy to the game. This is a big change for us Argentine players, as we are more used to a slower tempo with an emphasis on strong set-piece play, tactical kicking and defence. While it may take some time to adjust, in today’s game you cannot content yourself with the above elements alone as the modern game dictates that you get the ball and score tries."
Marty
Guest
imagine trying to lift him in a lineout, he is a big unit. be interesting to see how the Chiefs whip his brother into shape over the next year as he's taller and heavier. All the rule changes point to a faster game these days, it must be hard to keep up for these boys.