Tetera Faulkner re-signs with the Western Force

Maybe 'Twas, but I can't think of a player that negates the theory properly either. Elsom for examples went from season here straight into season there into season here. Personally I'm not surprised that blew him up. Even though Japan is different to England, I'm nervous about Jackpot bouncing back and forth. I'm not one that thinks losing Douglas was a disaster, but off the back of the he comments he made about how hard the tight work and training he been for him in Ireland, I'm now interested to see if that exposure to relentless hard tight five work would actually make difference to the Wallabies. I have the same interest in Mafu, Mumm, Kimlin, Timani, Pyle and LBum. I think pasting after pasting requires us to doff our hat to the north and acknowledge we can learns som'fin.

but far better off.

It's a fallacy. Mostly due to England having a stronger club system that provides more depth. I could be wrong but i don't remember us being continually dominated by Ireland, Wales and France in the set piece. We have had lows, and highs in this regard.

They'll come back worser for it.

Rodney Blake is a contra-example. Playing in the NH also did not do much for Elsom on his return to Oz. Or Vickerman. I'm having real trouble thinking of a forward who has come back from NH rugby a better player for it.

Just a passing thought, but if we are comfortable with the idea that the NH is so much better in the forward arts perhaps they should be thinking about two year educational sabbaticals for guys like this.

AndyS, I am skeptical of some parts of that story. My skepticism doesn't like with Longbottom's alleged side, but more so his manager's role in the contact with the ARU. For a person that works on commission, which is the better option for his manager? Clearly the higher paying UK gig. Perhaps I'm being cynical though.

Good on Tetera for his selection, and now with the Force. This can only strengthen Australian rugby (from a Tahs supporter)

Ouch Andy. If that's all true...

Chatting to someone who would know earlier this year, I got the impression it was about more than money. As he told it, Longbottom got a nod that he was "on the radar" start of last season, which was part of the reason his game stepped up. But then nothing at all...no feedback as to whether he was doing the right things, or whether there were things he needed to work on, just silence. Then along came the Saracens offer and when he tried to contact the Wallabies to see how they might feel about it and what his prospects looked like for taking the next step, apparently they didn't even return the call. Hearsay I know, but if true I can't say I wouldn't have reacted the same way.

"he's not the finished product", "he has potential", "good prospect for the future", "he may not turn out to be a world beating tight head", "he adds to our depth". And that exactly is why the ARU could not afford to offer anything to keep him. The ARU cannot afford to pay top ups for players outside the top 25. Plain and simple. Is Longbottom better than Ben Alexander? Form at provincial level says no. So for him to offer any value it would rely on him performing better at a higher level. That doesn't seem highly likely. you make comments about signing the next great wing/center but the fact as that these players bring interest that uncapped tighthead props do not. This interest is in the pursuit of greater viewers, which leads to more money, which leads to being able to retain up and coming players in the future.

Great news. Well done Tet. As for Keiran he'll be in white soon I'm sure or should that be UN sky blue?

Unfortunately they might play him in one test, just to make sure he never plays for us...

He already qualifies, that was one of his attractions for Saracens. It remains to be seen whether England would play him.

Agree absolutely, just needed to get losing Longbottom off my chest. Definitely don't begrudge him or his new club. Hopefully he returns in a few years a much improved player, also hope he doesn't qualify for England through a grandparent.

The fact he was signed by an English club for a high salary shows that while not the finished product, he has potential and worth investing in. In saying that, I don't begrudge him, his new club or the Force for his leaving. Its a professional environment. To me though, it shows that the ARU must do all it can to retain promising young props (and other tight forwards) who seem to be more valued overseas than here. If that means not signing the next great late 20's wing/center code hopper for an enormous amount than so be it. So the re-signing of Faulkner who looks to be a good prospect for the future can only be a good thing in my books. He may not turn out to be a world beating tight head, but he adds to our depth in a position that we are seriously lacking in.

Which shows their poor judgement. The force won games last year on the back of their scrum, much of this improvement down to the talent of Longbottom. In my opinion he was only behind Kepu in that department. As such he is not unproven and it is madness to let him go.

So paying unproven players high salaries is the answer? They weren't willing to pay because he had not done enough to impress any of the previous national coaches.

Exactly why we struggle in the scrum at international level. You'd think the geniuses would realise you need a solid scrum to do any good. Everyone raves about the backs during our "golden generations", but it's no coincidence we also had a strong scrum during those periods.

Longbottom went because the money offered could not be matched by the Force. The ARU either weren't able or weren't interested in doing a deal to keep him here. We don't value front rowers in this country. We prefer to through our money at backs.