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Under-pressure Wallabies coach Dave Rennie could well be heading to a showdown with Rugby Australia, with the governing body considering tightening their Overseas Selection Policy ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Ahead of the Wallabies’ final Test of the year against Wales last month, Rennie said he would sit down with the RA board to “try and sell a case” around getting an increase to the three overseas picks they are currently able to call upon at present.
Rennie, who has a 38 per cent win record after three years in the job, said he wanted “insurance” in case there was a spate of injuries in a position.
For instance, if there were to be a series of injuries at hooker or the second-row, Rennie might want to stiffen up the area. But that would mean the Kiwi coach might have to move away from his three preferred overseas picks, who shape as Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete.
But rather than give Rennie more rope, The Roar understands the governing body is considering tightening the Overseas Selection Policy further.
Two crucial factors are shaping the thought process.
First, Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby just reaffirmed their commitment to the Super Rugby Pacific competition through until 2030.
Given the breaking of bread, RA is intent on making the competition as strong as possible and loosening the eligibility laws, which could see more players push the boundaries and head overseas believing they might earn selection, would likely be to the detriment of the tournament.
RA have also looked at the data from 2016 and 2017, where Australia’s Super Rugby sides struggled on the field, and there was a clear correlation between the form woes experienced in the domestic competition which flowed onto the national side.
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie wants the flexibility of being able to call up more overseas based players. Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
Secondly, it is debatable whether the performances from a number of the overseas based players picked for the Wallabies were better than the stocks plying their trade in Australia.
While Cooper and Kerevi combined brilliantly during the second half of the 2021 Rugby Championship, others haven’t quite set the world alight.
Questions remain over Cooper, too. He might have won six Tests from as many appearances since returning in 2021, but he has only played three international sides since his marvellous return against the Springboks on the Gold Coast.
Yet, that return came on Australian shores where the Wallabies have historically matched up well against the Springboks. Indeed, Noah Lolesio, who has taken a backseat with Cooper and Bernard Foley returning over the past 18 months, led the Wallabies to a win over the world champions at the Adelaide Oval in August.
What’s more, there is a thought that had overseas players been eligible and called upon throughout the year, youngsters like Nick Frost and Mark Nawaqanitawase, who were two of the finds of the season, most likely would not have been given the same opportunities to shine.
Shaping the decision making is the British and Irish Lions series in 2025 and the home World Cup in 2027, with the two showpieces events crucial opportunities to bring disillusioned rugby fans back on board.
RA wants to lure as many players home as possible, believing the carrot of playing in one or both campaigns is an opportunity most would cherish. Having a strong Super Rugby Pacific competition is considered crucial in helping the momentum of the showpiece events.
Quade Cooper (C) and Marika Koroibete (bottom) are in Dave Rennie’s World Cup plans. Photo: Jono Searle/Getty Images
The two events alone will likely see an estimated $100 million flow into the RA coffers, while private equity could yet supercharge the governing body’s hopes of powering pathways, improving coaching, replenishing grassroots and ensuring the best talent is playing in Australia.
The governing body’s thought process will likely be supported by the influential states, who desperately want as much star power to sell to its fans.
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.