In a warning sign for Australian rugby to get their ducks in a row sooner rather than later, Waratahs hardman Lachie Swinton is set to sign with French Top 14 club Bordeaux.
The Roar can reveal that the 26-year-old international back-rower will leave Australian rugby following next year’s Super Rugby season.
Swinton was offered an extended deal with the Waratahs and a Rugby Australia top-up, but without a director of national rugby in place, nor a Wallabies coach to negotiate with, and other back-rowers like Rob Valetini and Rob Leota already signed on long-term deals, neither party was in a strong position to try and retain the back-rower.
In the end, Swinton couldn’t turn down an offer worth more than $500,000 – around double what he would have received by staying at the Waratahs.
Waratahs and Wallabies back-rower Lachlan Swinton is set to join Bordeaux. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Swinton’s pending departure is yet another warning sign for RA not to dither on key appointments, particularly with the NRL swarming and other clubs in France and Japan circling the likes of Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
While the 194cm, 113kg blindside flanker has had a chequered career to date, with injury and discipline slowing his development and output on the field, Swinton had the potential to develop into a Marcos Kremer-type figure.
Indeed, he became the first Wallaby to be sent off on Test debut in 2020 when a Television Match Official intervened to stop play after All Blacks stalwart Sam Whitelock was hit high.
But his half-hour cameo of strong carries and crunching tackles offered the Wallabies a new sense of physicality that had been missing for years.
“I thought Lachie made a big statement in the 30-odd minutes that he was on the field,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said following the rising forward’s debut.
“Everything that we asked of him bringing a bit of edge; what we know about tackle, around clean, around work-rate, he was massive.
“He’s pretty disappointed (with the red), but he made a real announcement on the international stage.”
Former Waratahs captain Michael Hooper shakes hands with Lachlan Swinton in Sydney. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Now, just as Swinton was starting to find his feet after missing the majority of 2022 because of a nerve injury in his shoulder and a six-week ban this year, the popular Waratahs forward is set to leave.
It comes after two strong performances for Australia A, where he was one of Jason Gilmore’s best against Portugal, and the Barbarians during their six-week tour of the United Kingdom, which put his name up in lights in the northern hemisphere.
Laurie Fisher, who was an assistant for Australia A and the Barbarians, said he was impressed by Swinton’s development and application throughout the two-month tour.
“Swinno was excellent for Aus A and the Barbarians,” Fisher told The Roar.
“He brought his usual good work rate and a bit of sting in defence, but additionally [he] worked on trying to be less combative in his carry game, finding space rather than faces.
“His desire to look for contact in defence doesn’t need to crossover into his carry game and he’s a better footballer when he focuses on timing, evasion and space on carry rather than seeking out contact.
“I found him to be a good pro, always well prepared physically and tactically.”
In other news, Waratahs second-row recruit Miles Amatosero has played his last match for Clermont and is set to join his teammates next week.
Brumbies playmaker Noah Lolesio is also on his way back from France after a short-term stint with Toulon.
The French club wanted Lolesio to stay for another month, but it was decided that it would be in his best interests to push his case at home ahead of next year’s crucial Super Rugby season.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No it doesn’t. It may mean they don’t have to work to get paid what they signed for but there is no guarantee of a wallaby spot. They need to work for that and their next contract
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
A guaranteed contract means a player doesn't have to keep working hard to retain his Wallaby spot. The Wallabies have suffered with journey men who never get better for the past decade or more. Overseas clubs aren't offering Wallaby contracts so not sure what you are talking about.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Spot on Phantom. Im really looking forward to Dmac having a decent run.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
RM was a very good SR player in a fantastic team. A poor test player when the pressure went on.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
That aint my opinion and its not the opinion of many. RMs WC stats are average at best. He was a fail at this and the last WC. Im so happy RM is leaving. He is a poor mans Carlos Spencer. A poor mans Quade Cooper. I, and many other NZ rugby fans , wont miss him. Foster got it wrong and RM failed again.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I would have actually thought this benefits Oz Rugby. He goes to Bordeaux for 2 years and gets some good coaching. Comes back in time for next World Cup hopefully a decent player. At moment, he’s no loss.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Meafou played NRC before Shute shield so not sure how it produced him…
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Shute shield just keeps producing stars such as Meafou and half the super players and all the coaches
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Oh yeah ..Think our Antipodean colleagues underestimate just how big rugby is in SA ..If a chocolate manufacturer or airline want to come on board they better bring big shekels and dont try dictate policy or you are gone…..Sharks in a dilemma … Big money from the USA backing em via a local Durban boy who made a fortune in the America…John Plumtree now head coach ..A Kiwi but we see see him as a local…..Big name players all over the place …So whats up? There for sure is a headline coming here ….Aside They have Holllywood bets ( a local South African concern ) as one of their headline sponsors ….A disgusting company ….Like I said …Watch the press..
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Not sure if you saw the value of rugby unions in terms of brands. Report came out about a month ago. SA has massive financial clout and whereever they are that competition does well financially. SA teams have had a slow start but the Sharks have a massive issue, new coach same problems.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
The URC numbers are just so impressive since SA added some spice and continue on an upward trajectory Brendan..No longer can be viewed as the cinderella comp in Europe but indeed can stand as equals now ..So far this year s SA teams must come to the party ..Very poor start ..Historically slow starters in the short history of the tournament but this is the worst ..SA fans no less demanding than any other in the world and will soon start asking serious questions ....World Cup is over ..Today matters more.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Was reading the Scottish financial report for 22/23 and the two Scottish club's income is up 20% since 2019 and is expected to grow another 4% this year (Scottish teams play 4 less games then they did in 2019 aswell which makes it more impressive). Compare that to what the OZ SR teams are generating compared to 2019 and it could be a 20% drop. Until SR is treated like a league that must grow its revenue. It doesn't have to be expected to stand on its own but must generate income.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
the person who signed off on his $500k wage know they will be sacked if they make bad buys. I am sure they have looked at all the stats and the couch believes he can fix the fixable things.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Funny when tackles become cheap shots and when they are misfortunate events and shouldn't be red. Did he go in to hit him in the head or was he just not low enough.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
But what is the difference between getting into the Scottish v Australia squad when both are at about the same level all WC cycle. if he was good enough to get into Scotland why not Australia.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
If we go off the Women's Rugby announcement we have a global calendar for the men. For the Women they have a fixed international window that is world wide (just like the men) and then they have regional test windows for regional test competitions (6Ns and RE Championship in March-April, P4 at a different time). If you are a Wallaroo or Fern and a club offers your $100k to come play for them but it is subject to you being available for periods when they lose other players for test are you going to sign it or not. When test teams can't pay players or offer fix income, players will go elsewhere. Only T1 & T2 nations holding up the global calendar is the 4 SANZAAR ones and two of them have asked for the RC to move to the Feb-Mar window when most other regional tests are played. So really only two nations that matter don't want a global calendar and are stopping it from happening.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Release windows also cover the RC and 6Ns but in weeks that the player is not playing he is to be released back to his team. It is why Argentina and South Africa do deal where the play is with them for all the RC but might only play in 2 of the 3 EOYTs. In regards to leverage its all about the money. Swinton is being signed on $500k because he will be available in November and Feb-Mar when other players will be away on test duty. Why would you choose to play a few games for Oz and earn $100k and be away from your partner/kids when you can earn $200k more with your club. Club Rugby pays the biggest portion of the player's wages which is why more are going to France for a fixed income than hang around for maybe a few caps that also may not come leaving you stuck on just your SR wage.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
RM has the best kicking game of all the AB 10s so that might be why he didn't do it. Its not like BB or DMac had a kicking game to rival it. RM was picked because he was a better game manager than BB and that was down to his kicking game. If other 10s with better kicking games were around he would have. The DMac who was not deemed good enough to see out the Ireland game and only got a few minutes v SA in the final is now suddenly the best and does not need to improve. RM stays and he would have to have been better to start.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Coles is definitely not on that list. A mouthy nuisance certainly — like Fitzpatrick 25 years earlier — but not even remotely a hitman.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I reckon he has the ability to make a great no 6 and a big loss to Oz rugby. We lack the 'enforcer' mentality that other top sides have and Swinton has that. He also has good lineout skills, tackles hard and frequently and starting to make good ground with ball in hand. His misdimeanors are exagerated after that red card in his first game. Anyway good luck to hime; I hope he returns.