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.
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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.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Good topic and conversation starter. I’ve long thought and am still surprised no super rugby side has had the forward-thinking to build ‘sister club’ relationship with a Japanese club where these such sabbaticals can take place. Let’s face it, based on what I’ve seen from Japan and saw during the Super Round, the gap in quality of rugby between the two leagues is enormous. The Kiwis are starting to lift the Aussie teams. I think this season the results will still be a little one sided to the kiwis but the gap will Shrink and next year with a proper competition it will shrink even further. Can Oz rugby support 5 teams going forward with the player drain, now that is the topic to be discussed perhaps more so.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Get Rid of the artificiality of the whole system. Pick the Beat Aussies where ever they are playing. is not working.. look at us compared to the Kiwis. Let all Rugby players know that there are greater channels to be professional than just 5 teams so we can compete with the 17 teams of the NRL
Ozrugbynut
Roar Rookie
Yes absolutely. Anything at all to ensure they remain eligible, given only 3 non contracted players can be called upon. To many of the best wallabies options playing OS. Look at the calibre (in Australian terms) of who we might be leaving out and that should indicate any and all options should be on the table.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hi Jim. You win today. Please get yourself a drink of your choice and celebrate.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I fear that they cannot be taught :crying:
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Jacko… you dirty Kiwi. Keep your ideas to your self. I’m sorry.. that was harsh. I hate it when we fight.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
At least we are not playing goon of fortune with these kids… or is that something we need to teach these kids?
Frankly
Roar Rookie
RA need to be pragmatic. Australia do not have the means to compete with salaries in the North Hemisphere. Super Rugby is going to lose players to them. It would be preferable to have Australian players playing in Japan rather then europe because the season is shorter, so it is better for player welfare. Tokyo is only 1 hour behind Australian EST, so games can be watch at a reasonable hour in Australia. Sabbaticals will have Australian players, that would otherwise be lost to SR and the Wallabies, playing in SR 2 years out of every 4, and eligible for the Wallabies. It would also improve player depth in Australia as there will be more opportunity. There will be stronger pathways and it will stop rugby talent going to the NRL and even attract would be NRL players. It would lift the profile of the game in Australia. NZ, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga would also benefit from a similar arrangements, while making SR even stronger as there will be less player in Europe. Perhaps allowing Japan into the Rugby championship is a carrot for their cooperation. With Fiji players playing in Japan or in SR, the Fiji national team will be even stronger with less in europe, and there will be definite cause to have Fiji in The Rugby Championship.
Jim
Guest
My wife took a sabbatical (she called it "going to her parents for the weekend") and didn't come back. Something to do with the other guy being richer, creating more opportunities, being more in touch with his feelings, whatever that means, and finished by calling me a dinosaur. Sadly I think ARU will suffer the same problem.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I feel that the sabbatical is a worth while option to trial and could actually be good for player development. Not a bad thing learning how the opposite play and kinder supports the marketing of Rugby being a global game. The difference seasons are an issue but you think you could build player workload management into the contracts and have players going both ways. I am sure the northern teams players would like to try super rugby as an experience as well.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Is that recycled rubbish Ken? As a few on here use cheap waste in their comments.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I like love my Johnie Walker, a great friend that provides a balanced view. I am over 35, and just like fine wine I am ageing well even though I do not like wine.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Haha Im the co founder of the TTCLPF Ken..... :laughing: :laughing: Often has a few more FFFFFs in there.....
Malo
Guest
Just embrace the Japan club game as the Super game is finished as per the Death Knell of this Super Melbourne no crowds shows
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Jacko he does not realise that Roar Rugby is also known as the “Trans Tasman celebration of Love Peace and Friendship”.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
That is just rubbish Ken… I don’t believe you
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Some of his posts on another article are juvenile. Why go to all the trouble to hate on rugby. Dont get it.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Ferret, there are also those of us who can post rubbish without even a drink on board. Sober rubbish deserves more credit.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Jacko, this young fella should make some investments now - while he still knows everything.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So you are under 12 and not allowed to drink JAF?