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The Wallabies are going to have to change their policy on not picking overseas based players. Recent reports suggest NRL player Greg Inglis is searching for a cashed-up European rugby club to play for next year.
If he goes to France I would definitely want him in the Australian team.
He has a good three to four years of rugby life left in him and would be a bigger draw card than Israel Folau. Inglis is also a more experienced and I would say a better player than Folau was in league.
As more of our top line players head off the problem will be the same, whatever policy the ARU maintains. A good percentage of our best players will be overseas and Super Rugby will become a super breading ground for our young players, and even returning veteran international players who will have a lot of experience to offer.
Currently, French Top 14 teams buy up all the old former internationals. As more players in their prime make the move to France there will be an opportunity for Super Rugby teams to offer one or two-year contracts to unlock their experience.
This will be a negative if too many oldies are trotting around but I would expect young players to keep pushing through.
Rugby has now become truly international and unfortunately the money is not in our backyard.
We need to take advantage of strengthening our player base any way possible. For every player leaving there will be another youngster waiting for the chance.
If you look at soccer it is clear that smaller nations have been benefiting from this experience, like Switzerland and Belgium. Strong home leagues combined with a handful of their superstars playing in England, Spain, Italy or Germany benefit the national team.
These moves are good for Australia, and bad for France. It sounds good to me.
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.