- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
In my last article, I tried to portray a scenario of how we can keep talent in Australia.
As most of you responded, it’s almost a lost cause due to the thriving markets overseas and global appeal of rugby union.
Young talent is slipping through our fingers.
Only a week ago, Tom Banks was offered $1 million-plus to go to Japanese rugby. He is, without a doubt, a brilliant Super Rugby player, but hasn’t stamped his authority on the international stage.
It makes Banks a prime candidate for club rugby in Japan and/or Europe.
Although this is a concern, given fullback is a position in Australia where no one has nailed it down, we do have depth.
The larger concern is the age and the opportunity for younger players being lured offshore.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, the sabbatical has to come into effect, but not necessarily only for the big names, but for the youth.
In the past week or so, both Noah Lolesio and Fraser McReight have been courted with offers from overseas, Japanese rugby being the key lure.
These are the athletes we need to retain.
Rugby union offers so much more money globally than the NRL – it’s insane. And it’s the biggest threat to the code in Australia.
If you are young and receive an offer of $700,000-$1.3 million per year, you’d be crazy not to take it.
Both McReight and Lolesio are players of the future for Australian rugby. Both have had a taste of international rugby and are potential poster boys for the code moving forward.
However, neither are a lock for Rugby World Cup 2023, given the resources in front of them.
For Lolesio, he has the recently revived Quade Cooper and James O’Connor in his way, and Frasier has the Wallaby captain, Michael Hooper.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
They may make an extended squad for the World Cup, but would be unlikely to play unless injuries were to impact.
With this in mind, it’s a classic case of a sabbatical.
If RA were to allow them to sign with their respective Japanese clubs and pay them an additional $100,000 per year for two years, but secure them after two years for the Wallabies on perhaps $500,000-$750,000 for an additional two years, they are eligible beyond 2023 and, who knows, maybe have money to secure them on higher wages given the potential upside for RA with the Lions tour, Rugby World Cup and equity.
There is always an argument for injuries of course, however, this is a risk in any sport.
In the ’90s, players went overseas in their twilight to earn some reasonable coin. Nowadays, it’s too lucrative to ignore.
Stan Sport’s Sean Maloney joins The Roar experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones for this week’s edition of The Roar Rugby Podcast. Stream it here or like and subscribe in your podcast app of choice.
Rugby Australia needs to think outside the square: let them go for two years, back in Australia for two years. That’s a four-year investment. Given they have been produced through the Australian system over 5-7 years I believe it’s a risk worth taking.
Let the young guys go and explore, let them grow with international standard players from other countries.
They will come back better for it and the Wallabies may yet be world-beaters, given the depth of talent being courted offshore.
We clearly have the talent, we simply can’t compete.
Let the young guys enjoy rugby as a global game and encourage it, but retain them longer term. Let them know they’re wanted.
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.