Some of the Wallabies’ biggest headline acts will put pen to paper over the coming days, as Rugby Australia puts their proposed contracting model to the side to secure the futures of their stars.
Up to a dozen players are likely to be signed before the new year, with Brumbies captain and Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa, who captained Australia against Italy in November, moving closer to a deal that will secure his services until at least the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
Alaalatoa’s retention shapes a significant boost for the Wallabies’ long-term strategic planning, with the experienced prop a strong candidate to captain the team permanently in the future.
Allan Alaalatoa, who captained the Wallabies against Italy, is moving closer to a long-term deal with Rugby Australia. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Fellow front-rower Angus Bell, 22, is another inching closer to a long-term deal. As is Rebels forward Rob Leota, who is set to sign through until the Lions series.
Reds duo Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott are others who look set to sign through until the Lions series.
The signing bonanza comes as RA accepts its proposed contracting model is losing momentum and, as such, intends on putting in a clause to allow players to sign under the current model and move to the proposed model should they eventually get it across the line.
“It [the proposed contracting model] sort of stalled, but I think it’s now back into ‘let’s just get deals done under the current model’, and that’s the most important thing,” one source said.
Andy Marinos has been attempting to usher through change in the contracting model. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
All year RA has been working towards a new contracting model, which will allow the governing body more control over its players of national interest and, at the same time, even the talent pool across each of its five franchises.
Should RA get its proposed model off the ground, approximately 35 players would sign deals with the governing body and not with the respective franchises.
By doing so, it would open the possibility of players being allowed to choose where they want to play at a later date.
RA would also have a greater say in advocating for a certain franchise should one franchise be stacked in a position and another lean in an area.
But with all the stakeholders eagerly awaiting news of the much-talked-about private equity deal, which could pump anywhere from $100-200 million into the game depending on whether they venture down that route now and/or how much the governing body decides on selling off, all parties have been at a standstill.
In addition, the Brumbies, Reds and Waratahs particularly have raised reasonable questions of how they would be adequately compensated for losing homegrown talent and whether the governing body is best placed to make judgement calls on where players are best suited.
As one source said, “The clubs pushed back hard.”
“I don’t think RA was trying to achieve that,” he added.
Another said: “To be honest, there’s not much difference in the contracting model.
“It’s more about how you look at the value of nationally contracted players. That’s the reality.
“At the end of the day, there’s still a salary cap, it’s just about trying to make it fairer and reducing the salary cap for teams that have got exceptionally high numbers of Wallabies compared to the Force and Rebels. That’s the major difference.
“Fundamentally it’s not that far from where we are now. It’s about keeping the players for longer in Australia.”
Wigeye
Guest
The roarers cant unite the coaches cant unite the state unions cant unite the state mafia splinter groups muckracking in the shadows cant unite Rugby Australia cant unite or Ignite, What's been the the main reason the uncoachables have been uncoachable for 20 odd years..... When Will it be looked at ? ..when the authors stop quacking and shakeing in their boots.
Chufortah
Guest
Wow… props peak at around 29-33… he has a technical issue that will be watched, but if you’re condemning him now to ‘useless’ category then I think it’s a bit premature. Hope I’m right and you’re wrong… but by your rationale you would have written off Larkham, or perhaps Steve Waugh or any other great player who had issues early in their career?
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
and Harry Wilsons foot work.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
A question which is relevant but is not on topic. A problem with Folau was that his contract didn't allow his employer to invoke disciplinary provisions. This was because disciplinary provisions weren't in the contract and as such it was quite untypical of usual employment contracts. But the contract was the standard Wallabies contract, the unusual form of which arose out of player union power. (I think I have this right). I assume the contracts nowadays are a bit more real world?
Chuck a Wobbly
Roar Rookie
Indeed, if you lose a Rugby world cup final by 1 or by 60, it is still a loss.
Geoff
Guest
G, Rennie will select kerr barlow or phipps before he selects another Qld Red, ala Genia,
Pisda Chastna
Roar Rookie
I`ll break it down for you Don, Lynagh was flyhalf from 1986 to 1995.Larkham was flyhalf from 1997 to 2007 Barnes was flyhalf from 2008 to 2010. Quade 2011 to 2013. Foley 2014 to 2019. How are you supposed to fit in other flyhalves? and Gitaeu Toomua and Christian were primarily inside centres at test level.
Pisda Chastna
Roar Rookie
I blame O'Connor for the Italy loss too.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
There were more Brumbies in the forward pack the week before when we beat Argentina 41-26. But I'm guessing that's only relevant when the Wallabies do badly right? The backline, particularly Wright and Petaia were by far the worst part of that performance anyway. Go read Nick Bishop's article on O'Connor in that match and look at how rarely he did anything at 10 and how frequently he attended rucks that had already been won. That might give some clues as to why he was dropped. And yes, I know, McKellar the puppet master pulling the strings blah blah blah...
Jim
Guest
Maybe RAs hope for PE investment isn’t /wasn’t all about the cash but using PE to break the states stranglehold on rugby in Australia. I very much doubt PE would want to invest with the current model in place.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Exactly Scotty - My fear with he centralized contracts is that we end up like Ireland... I'll take the rewards at the national level but won't accept all the talent playing for one club as they do for Leinster.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
JOC was the scape goat for the Argie game... Our pack (mostly Brumbies) was torn apart and somehow the 10 is the blame for a poor showing? I wonder who the forwards coach and Rennies number 2 is the head coach of????
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
you forgot the best performing loose forward in super rugby (Wilson) who needs more time to work on his foot work.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hi Objective Observer - your question of Does anyone really truly honestly believe that coaches at an international level will prefer players from one team/area? Yes.. the answer is 100% yes especially when the number two is the head coach of one of the super rugby sides. He is bias for 1 reason: He knows the players and what to expect from those players. McKellar is part of the decision-making process for the style of game the wallabies play (remember the best maul in international rugby comment) and he will want his players to execute that game plan. And lets not forget the blatant NSW selections of the guy who bleeds baby blue Cheika..... But lets be honest... if Brad Thorn was given the Wallabies gig he would be picking his favorites from the Reds.
No Arms
Roar Rookie
Rugby doesn’t mean what it used to in this country so if there really is big private equity $$ on offer take it!!
No Arms
Roar Rookie
What a mess…. That’s certainly what it looks like – a bunch of clowns taking over a year to ‘hopefully’ create a model that works. I swear if they disband the whole of RA, let players go anywhere and choose the best 23 Aussie players in the world then we may have a chance
cs
Roar Guru
Must say I can't imagine being convinced that central control of any aspect of the provincial teams would be a good thing. Seems to me that it would inevitably undermine the responsibility and accountability of provincial coaching. Hands off RA, I say as a Tahs supporter. While I'm here, I agree with many criticisms of DR and his coaching team, but also think the Wallabies are in a better state of repair than the disappointing win/loss record suggests, especially when we include missing players such as Kerevi and Koroibete. A strong world cup challenge is by no means out of the question. I go to into xmas with hope.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
What?
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
The term "national interest" is no doubt twisted and distorted, until it serves the "self interests" of the clubs :stoked:
AndyS
Guest
Indeed. As I'm reading it, unless all three are getting top-ups, there is nothing much that would change in terms of warehousing. Given that (presumably) it would likely be the best one contracted, you'd absolutely expect pushback if RA tried to get him to move as the only one they could influence.