The recent move by the Australian Rugby Union to allow players who sign long-term contracts to be able to explore short-term overseas opportunities has been a long time coming.
Even though they will not come in to effect until 2016, these ‘flexible contracts’ are a huge step in the right direction for the future of rugby in Australia.
I’m not a one club man, nor would you call me a journeyman. In my time as a professional rugby player, I have been at a total of three different clubs.
These days it’s not uncommon for individuals to spend time at a number of clubs, as lucrative contracts and opportunities to explore international options are too enticing to turn down.
Many people have a major issue with those who choose to take advantage of rugby’s profound international presence, and question where loyalty has gone in the game.
These people are not looking at the bigger picture. The benefits for the development of rugby across the globe, and at home, are far more valuable than the many euros being pocketed by our biggest stars.
The flexible contracts will hopefully help us keep a hold of our brightest stars, such as Michael Hooper and Israel Folau, which is paramount in developing the younger generation of Australia’s rugby fraternity. It also is a positive step financially, as advertisers, media companies and sponsors are much more likely to back rugby in Australia when the most marketable players are being held onto.
This is all before we reach the on-field benefits. Allowing players to venture abroad gives them a chance to experience a new culture, but more importantly a different style of rugby than they are used to.
Approaching a World Cup year, having as many players who have experienced playing in both hemispheres, in all sorts of conditions, as well as playing with and against other international players week-in, week-out rather than once every few years, means entering the competition the best prepared possible.
It’s easy for us living here in Australia to only focus on what the landmark ARU move will do for Australian rugby – building the younger generation and perhaps giving us a better chance to get our blooming hands on the Bledisloe Cup!
Having spent some years in Europe, I have seen the impact Southern Hemisphere signings make in their adopted countries, both on and off the field.
While at Ulster in Belfast, I was fortunate enough to share the field with South Africa’s Ruan Pienaar and Johann Muller, as well as John Afoa and Jared Payne of New Zealand. Selling tickets for home matches was never a problem when these guys were on the team sheet, and the increased younger generation present in the stands meant that participation in rugby at the grassroots level was finally reaching the heights set by the historically stronger provinces of Munster and Leinster.
There were always those few fans who saw only what was on the surface, labelling foreign players a waste of money whenever they made a mistake or failed to reach their ultimate potential in crucial games. But if these ‘fans’ were to attend training sessions and look at the busy schedules of the higher profile players, they’d see that away from the field they didn’t just have their feet up on the couch, counting their wads of cash.
When foreign stars sign lucrative contracts, they are aware of the many requirements attached, and that their legacy will be equally based on what they do off the field as on it.
They are required to play a role in the community, raising the profile of rugby, and increasing participation at all levels. This is even more important in developing rugby nations such as Japan, who are due to to host the 2019 World Cup.
There has already been a huge influx of Southern Hemisphere involvement in both Japan’s coaching and playing ranks, which has seen an increased interest from locals and media companies. Plus this has improved the current crop of Japanese rugby stars, with Shota Horie of the Melbourne Rebels an example of the Asian nation’s talent.
Following the moves made by nations such as South Africa and Ireland in recent years to allow their players to venture abroad and still be eligible for international selection, it was crucial that Australia followed suit.
There is the question of why wait until 2016 to make this available, particularly given league and AFL also offer lucrative contracts, which are enticing for players. However what these codes don’t have is the international exposure of rugby, the cultural experience available, or the potential to win an Olympic medal, with rugby to be included in the Rio Games.
These short-term contracts give players the chance to explore all options safe in the knowledge that the gold jersey, that’s the pinnacle of their career, is not lost forever if they choose to leave our shores.
Brett McKay
Expert
One season means just that Simon: one season. All the details are here: http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/12291/Australian-Rugby-Union-approve-changes-to-player-contracting.aspx "Why the wait until 2016 to sign one of these contracts?" Have a wild guess why they don't want to start this in a World Cup year...
Brett McKay
Expert
No Alvin, you're a bit off the mark. In your example of Israel, what this means is that he can go and play for a French club in lieu of the Spring Tests, play out the French season, and come back to the Waratahs by about Rd 5. It would work the same way if he went to Japan, only he would be back in time for the start of the Super season. There's no releasing by the overseas clubs, and players on these agreements playing overseas won't be picked for the Wallabies. Instead, it just means they become eligible again as soon as they return to Australia..
Brett McKay
Expert
Bingo Andy, you're quite correct. Players on these sabbaticals won't picked for the Wallabies while they're away, it just means that as part of a longer ARU contract, they'll be available immediately on their return...
AndyS
Guest
I think a lot of people are perhaps misunderstanding what the changes actually mean. My reading was that they do not mean that players will be selected for the Wallabies from overseas, only that they remain contracted to the ARU while they are away and are immediately eligible when they return. That is why the summary of changes incorporated the phrase " The ARU will manage the contracts to make sure there’s a “sufficiently strong pool” of players available for Test selection each year". That would not be necessary if everyone everywhere was available. It can only mean that while away the player is still gone, but not necessarily forgotten.
Old Bugger
Guest
Sailosi You lost me there but whatever you're smoking then how about sharing it...you asked "how can one be proud if your national team is successful???" That is where I would have thought pride would be given - when your national team is successful....obviously you are a club man - well so am I but in NZ, club rugby is the 4th tier for youngsters to begin showing their abilities and talent and not the top tier that seems to buy its talent rather than nurture it as you so strongly prefer.
Alvin Purple
Guest
Just so I understand how would this work in a practical sense. Say for example Israeal goes to France to play this year would he have to be released to play for the Wallabies on their European tour. Also when the Super Rugby season starts when would he come back for the Waratahs? I would have thought a lot goes into pre season training and missing this could put the Waratahs right behind the 8 ball if he comes back even for the first game. In the case where the club they play for say in France makes the final would they want him back or is it just the chance they take by signing these players?
Sailosi
Guest
How can one be proud if their national rugby team is successful. The majority of time your just beating up on underdeveloped unions.
Old Bugger
Guest
Sailosi If you are in France then good onya cos what you ask for is exactly what's happening - the clubs are winning but the french national team is losing.....nah, you can have it. Still, those bloody froggies can be cunning buggers going around letting the world think all is lost and then come within a whisker of winning the RWC....
Old Bugger
Guest
FU Unless there is a fully fledged global season played by all at the same time then it is not a global game but merely numerous competitions played in different countries across both hemispheres.
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly there isn't much worse than a unhappy player stink up a team with his managing stirring up all sorts of speculation surrounding their movements. To sustain a pro career you need to keep playing. If you aren't there is no point in being blindly loyal and eat in to your career. That's why there are 60 odd Irish players floating around outside Ireland getting other opportunities to play and earn a better income. With so many internationals in the three major provinces it's very easy to get stuck in a rut trying to break through by playing in A fixtures over a number of seasons. Some hang around in to their mid 20s playing B&I Cup despite other offers on the table. That's mental .
hog
Guest
The problem Football United is that 99.99% of ARU resources go in to funding the Wallabies. And the Wallabies are then suppose to fund grassroots, but how can you do that when all you have left is 0.01%. The whole structure of Australian rugby is upside down and unworkable. That is why the code is broke and a sad 4th in the code wars. And nothing will change until that situation is addressed.
Sailosi
Guest
Wouldn't that be a beautiful thing.
AlanKC
Guest
I think the days of valuing "playing for your country" over "playing for financial gain" are well and truly over and in the ARU's case they need to find a way to have the best 15 players on the padddock for the biggest games (especially if it means that more of the better athletes stay in Union rather than going to League) before the paying public completely give the game away.
Sailosi
Guest
I don't care about the national team. I want to be able to watch and support my local pro team for 20 weeks a year. I want them to become one of the best teams in the world and I don't want a persons birth place to be a determine factor in who can represent my team. I want kids from all over the world to dream of and have the opportunity to represent my team.
Bakkies
Guest
The soccer players are on contract to get transfer fees for their clubs. On occasions their old club is still paying some of their wages to get rid. Been over this several times before. Rugby players are generally free off contract players. No one sane enough wants to see club players in Rugby sign a new deal with their club then buzz off the next season to a rival club (which can be the case as there aren't as many pro leagues) forcing a significant pay out.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Imo there are pros and cons in allowing/not allowing your wallabies to play club rugby overseas. But at the end of the day, the question goes beyond rugby, its a philosophical one, a moral one: do you really want to prevent your young players from doing what they want, which may be play overseas, experience a new culture and yes, in some cases, make more money? Solely based on that, my answer is let players do what they want.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
I think the change by the ARU board with the inclusion of 1 overseas season "sabbatical" in each 3 year contract is a step in the right direction into the brave new world of international competition for rugby talent. If was a player manager I would be asking the ARU the following? When the ARU talks about a 1 season sabbatical do they really mean 1 year? When a player signs a 3 x 3 contract then you would get effectively get 2 "seasons" overseas. Does this mean you could potentially have 2 years at the start, end or in the middle of a 6 year deal and still be eligible to play for the Wallabies? Why the wait until 2016 to sign one of these contracts? Why can't one commit to a long term contract now and have the first sabbatical now? If this could be implemented then the Wallabies would have more dept immediatley, especially in the forwards, in time for rest of 2014 and World Cup in 2015.
Don
Roar Rookie
Correct Andy. On Japan; we should be encouraging our players to take up the contracts offered by Japan ahead of European clubs. Ideally we want to assist Japan become a stronger Rugby nation and facilitate their entry into S15. By encouraging Japan we also get a monetary spin off with increased sponsorship income. The other thing that should be implemented that no one seems to want to talk about when they compare Rugby with Soccer is that Soccer clubs receive compensation by way of transfer fees for players moving. IMO if players get approved for a sabbatical there should be payment made to the S15 team and the ARU.
hog
Guest
We can only hope, Owen :-)
Football United
Guest
The ARU would disagree with you now, the threat of key players leaving is real enough otherwise they would never have conceded to sabbaticals. The money there is only going to go up while it is at best stagnant here and bar a serious change in market forces, this will continue until the cash on offer is more attractive than a Wallabies jersey. My "agenda" is that instead of the ARU conceding this and working on a strategy to help Australian Rugby adapt to this now and in the future, they are pillaging the grassroots to fund elite players with unsustainable top ups just to keep them here. As for the differences in standard, saying it is simply inferior is simplistic. The Super Rugby season is nowhere near as strenuous as a european season and player rotation doesn't play as much of a part. Throw in the threat of relegation and the season becomes more about consistency for all teams across a 26 - 30 odd game season. Plus there are more teams for players to spread out to so off course the average strength of teams won't be as good as Super Rugby seeing how Sanzaar nations on only have five per team but the top European sides like Toulon, Saracens, Leinster and Munster are no worse than the top Super Rugby teams.