He’s glad to be home for it but Drew Mitchell doesn’t see a bright future for the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.
The Wallabies winger is excited about playing for French club Toulon in the inaugural edition of the tournament this weekend at Suncorp Stadium.
But with so much packed into the rugby calendar already, and a plenty of top-line stars missing among the 14 teams involved, Mitchell is skeptical as to if it will stick around for the long-term.
“There’s just not enough time, there’s too much footy already as it is,” Mitchell said.
“People aren’t sending full-strength squads.
“I don’t think there’s room for a permanent thing.
“I think a one-off like this is exciting, but I don’t think there’s enough room in the year to keep adding things in.
“Then you’re going to start getting injuries from players and not being able to back up for Tests because of the workloads are getting too much.
“But I guess money drives everything.”
Toulon have left Matt Giteau, Ma’a Nonu, Liam Gill at home, but still boast a strong squad including former Wallaby James O’Connor, Japanese international Ayumu Goromaru and Fiji’s Olympic gold medalist Josua Tuisova.
For Mitchell – who says they haven’t trained specifically for the tens and doesn’t know how seriously they’ll take it – it’s a golden opportunity to finally have a run after a difficult period with groin and hamstring injuries.
“We’re 30-odd weeks into our season and we finish in June. We just happen to have this one week off with the Six Nations,” he said.
“I guess it’s a break, but ideally you’d like to be having your feet up. A few of us haven’t played so much, so it’s a good chance.”
Most Australian franchises have included the majority of their big guns but many star All Blacks are missing, because of a clause in their contracts that demanded a mandatory 12-week rest period for players who toured the northern hemisphere.
However, the involvement of retired greats like Chris Latham, Lote Tuquri and Stephen Larkham as wildcard players adds intrigue and should ensure a light-hearted vibe for the two-day knockout, created by the same company behind the NRL’s Auckland Nines.
It’s anticipated a crowd of around 30,000 will be present for day one.
Paul
Guest
As opposed to "Rugger", the never was..
puff
Guest
Cynical P, your one liner is precisely that, extended negatively. Drew’s opinion appears a little over valued, like his rugby form, fitness and games management. The gent is more than happy to collect a pay cheque but in the same breath, rubbishing the promoters proposed intend, before the event commences. He is part of the problem rugby is inheriting, not the solution. He needs to return to France, relax and enjoy a few garlic fogs legs.
Manic
Guest
This is why you are the most overrated player to play rugby! You lost us the Webb Ellis, so your views are not worth the paper it was written on!
bert
Guest
It is just one catchpenny too far.
soapit
Guest
to be fair no ones printing articles about what you think of it tho. its bad press and pretty unprofessional when he's taking the cheque for this years event.
Rugger
Guest
Drew who...a has-been.
Sam
Guest
I don't think Larkham would do it on purpose, of course not. I was just pointing out that such an uncomfortable scenario is not out of the question. You are right that injuries can happen at training or in trial matches. This is neither of those things though. At the risk of stating the obvious... there are 5 less players on the field for each team, for starters ;-) It is a fun piece of entertainment and I hope it is successful in it's own way. But I can understand why, for the most part, it has not been well supported by the top tier. That is more or less what Drew Mitchell is saying.
Celtic334
Guest
I think it'll last if correctly managed. Perhaps rotate it around the different venues. As for those of you saying there isn't room in the schedule, that might be true for drew at Toulon however here in Australia the domestic schedule is rather short in comparison with the other codes. The only ones who are over played at have a cluttered schedule are the 10-12 wallabies who play 8+ tests a year. The majority of the rest would play less than 20 games a year. That's less than 6 months of playing. Ultimately I think we will see it become more along the lines of what the 9s are and missing a host of stars but that's alright the concept will still allow for exciting try's etc.
mzilikazi
Guest
Yes, I wonder how successful the 10's will be. Not a recognised or well developed version of the game, like sevens. Also wonder if numbers will turn out to see teams lacking their top players...not that I blame the teams for not sending their top men....they don't need extra time on the field in these days of very intense schedules. Am going myself, so will be interesting to see how it all turns out.
Phil
Guest
Sam,do you really think a person of Larkham's status in the game would do something like that? All this talk about what if a player gets injured etc is crazy.A player can easily get a season ending injury at training.Look what happened to Cubelli?Does that mean you do away with trial games?How do you get players match fit?Surely playing 10 minutes each way in a few games is not a bad way to ease into the season.
Garth
Guest
Ducos sports has been bitching about the lack of ABs in the 10s side from NZ. Screw Ducos. The players need their rest and 10s is a frigging gimmick. A 7s tournament series with the Super teams, perhaps 5 tournaments (one per country) interspersed throughout the SR season, with the teams comprising of players from the wider squad that don't get regular game time would be a better idea. This would also make a nice addition to the IRB 7s as a lower tier and would make inter-hemisphere "club" championships a possibility.
Sam
Guest
Imagine if Larkham, coach of the Brumbies, head highs a starting player from a different Super Rugby team and puts him out for the season!
Cynical Play
Guest
But the &'s already fills that role
Akari
Guest
Could the Tahs, Reds or anyone please sign him up and keep him away from the Brumbies? It sounds like DM is not happy with his current employer. If so, he should have said no and remained in France and possibly forfeit his pay for this weekend.
Stuart John Pearson
Guest
Tens is in its infancy at the elite level. Give it a chance you fools It is a counter for the Rugby League 9's. The way they are carrying on with its players it will die before the 10's do. .
Joe King
Guest
Can't wait for the 10's. Breath of fresh air and a great start to the season. But do understand about too much rugby for the players. Hopefully, the push to move the RC back to July will go through, finish SR end of June with a shorter season. And fix SR structure so that the majority of games are within conferences so as to stop too much crazy travel. Then they could fit these kind of innovations like the Brisbane 10's in easily.
DanFan
Guest
And it is a dead end tournament. No matter what you thins of 7s, at least the 7s is a meaningful series leading to a World Cup and an Olympic games.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Why oh Why do they think another bloody rugby competition is both merited and worthy??? And DM is right, it wont last long as the NZ sides wont be sending full strength teams just before the SR starts, that is insane and inane which the risk of injuries....let it die after 1year...
Cynical Play
Guest
If I was a coach, I would use it only to run my B team, let 'em get some field time. If one of my stars played and picked up a Cubelli-type knee injury or worse, it would be totally not worth it. It will never have the atmosphere of the 7's as the 7's bring out the national pride and costumes/songs/etc. Seeing and hearing the Kenyan supporters dance and sing at the 7s is a highlight.
Mac
Guest
A valid point has been made by Drew, but he isn't the only player and Sevens exist with out concern of Super rugby, internationals etc. This variation will be fun, includes more talent and ability than Sevens and has its place. I do think it will grow but, a new group of players will fill the spots as it develops. It wont grow to be a Sevens or 15's scale but none the less a place for people to develop and get exposure and possible make a living.