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ARU eligibility rules makes Wallabies more attractive to rich European clubs
Date November 14, 2014 - 11:59PM
Chris Dutton
Sports Reporter at The Canberra Times
PARIS: Cross-code superstar Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup.
But the ARU's eligibility rules are inadvertently making Wallabies players more attractive than ever to European teams and former Test player Morgan Turinui believes a case-by-case approach can prevent an exodus. Several Wallabies are off contract at the end of next year and are already on the European radar, including Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and James Horwill.If they move abroad they sacrifice the chance to play for the Wallabies.
Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup.
Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images
But, according to Turinui who coaches in France, that makes Australians key recruiting targets because clubs know they will get bang for their buck without having to release players for international duties.
"The funny thing is that [the ARU] try to protect Super Rugby by not allowing them to play overseas, but they're making players more attractive to French clubs because they can't play for Australia," Turinui said. "The fact you know you've got them for the year every other national team has players released from club duties. In terms of availability, Australians are becoming more and more attractive.
"Money-wise, yes it's attractive. But if you're playing Test footy you won't earn more in France than you would with the Wallabies. If it was me, I'd make it case by case. It's not players disrespecting the jersey, it's a whole range of factors family, seeing other things, life after rugby."
Australia and New Zealand remain two of the only countries refusing to pick overseas-based players in their Test teams. It increases their value on the market while players from other nations require leave from club matches to play Tests for their country. There's no simple solution and the ARU has adjusted its rules to allow sabbaticals from 2016, but Turinui believes flexibility will help keep the Wallabies' top talent.
Turinui, who coaches at Lille, and former NSW Waratahs teammate Chris Whitaker, who is coaching at Narbonne, were at Wallabies training this week.
Folau is Australian rugby's greatest asset, but has been linked to a multimillion-dollar move to Toulon when his contract ends next year. French clubs will get a close look at the former NRL and AFL player when the Wallabies take on France on Saturday night.
Clubs are already licking their lips at the sight of the big fullback and France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said Folau would fit into the Top 14.
"Folau is a world-class player. He wouldn't have any problem to play in Top 14 and I think a lot of club presidents are ready to welcome him to their club. Folau should just adapt to play more games. Here the competition lasts 11 months and it would also be a big cultural change for him."
There has been speculation Horwill has agreed to join English club Harlequins while Genia admits he's considering a move to Bath. Ashley-Cooper, a veteran of 102 Tests, has already said he will likely move to France after the World Cup after a decade of service to the Wallabies. Ben Mowen shocked Australian rugby when he quit the Australian captaincy this year to sign a deal with Montpellier.
But former Test captain Horwill said the Wallabies jersey was still the highest prize in Australia.
"I've got a great amount of passion playing for my country and Queensland," Horwill said. "I'm lucky to have been able to do that for so long I don't think there's talk of a mass exodus. Each individual has decisions to make, but the Wallabies jersey is still the No. 1 thing. It's a prized possession. You're very lucky to be in this position and you want to make the most of it, you don't want to take anything for granted."
Quade Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani and Rob Horne also loom as targets while Christian Lealiifano turned down offers this year to stay in Australia.
The ARU has a strict Wallabies eligibility policy to protect the strength of Super Rugby clubs. But players including Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, George Smith and Digby Ioane now ply their trade overseas without any hope of playing for the Wallabies. The rules will be relaxed from 2016 to allow players to maximise their revenue with a one-off stint in France or Japan if they commit to a three-year deal with the ARU.
"Case by case gives [the ARU] all the power. Why make rules that could hurt [the Wallabies] on-field performance," Turinui said. "And if Giteau plays, you give him match payments. But you don't have to pay his contract so that gives someone else an opportunity.
"Australia is the toughest sporting market in the world, I understand that you have to protect the product of Super Rugby. Australia just have to find the balance. I don't have the magical answer, but the more room you have to move the better."
There's the perception that playing in France was simply a cash grab at the end of a player's career. But Toulon star Giteau said the reality is much more different, with a change in lifestyle without the hectic travel of Super Rugby and the Wallabies duties.
"For me, I just needed to get out of Australia and experience something new. I never thought I would spend seven years playing in France, but that's what I'm looking at," Giteau said. "It's been great for me and for my family. I enjoy my rugby over here that reflects in my game."
Former ACT Brumby and two-Test Wallaby Peter Kimlin gave up his World Cup goal to sign with Grenoble and agreed with Giteau's assessment of rugby in France.
"Everyone is individual and yes, some people will chase the money. Guys who can't crack Super Rugby get their chance over here and they kill it," Kimlin said. "Every player wants to travel and you get that in Europe, that's attractive. But the Wallabies is always a big drawcard back home."
Turinui's view is to assess each player's case as it arrives at the ARU instead of blanket rules that don't allow for flexibility.
"Australian tight-five forwards are less popular than the backs Quade will also be popular over here because the French appreciate the X-factor, Rob Horne as well," Turinui said.
"For the French, the attraction goes to the superstar guys like Folau but also guys who have been starters and are on the bench now. That's the opportunity for French club. Australia's the third-ranked team in the world, every player is attractive."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/a...e-to-rich-european-clubs-20141114-11memx.html
Makes sense. The ARU coming up with a policy that achieves the exact opposite of what is intended. No surprises there either.
Date November 14, 2014 - 11:59PM
Chris Dutton
Sports Reporter at The Canberra Times
PARIS: Cross-code superstar Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup.
But the ARU's eligibility rules are inadvertently making Wallabies players more attractive than ever to European teams and former Test player Morgan Turinui believes a case-by-case approach can prevent an exodus. Several Wallabies are off contract at the end of next year and are already on the European radar, including Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Will Genia and James Horwill.If they move abroad they sacrifice the chance to play for the Wallabies.
Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup.
Israel Folau tops the French rugby wish-list of Wallabies players as rich clubs prepare to swoop after the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images
But, according to Turinui who coaches in France, that makes Australians key recruiting targets because clubs know they will get bang for their buck without having to release players for international duties.
"The funny thing is that [the ARU] try to protect Super Rugby by not allowing them to play overseas, but they're making players more attractive to French clubs because they can't play for Australia," Turinui said. "The fact you know you've got them for the year every other national team has players released from club duties. In terms of availability, Australians are becoming more and more attractive.
"Money-wise, yes it's attractive. But if you're playing Test footy you won't earn more in France than you would with the Wallabies. If it was me, I'd make it case by case. It's not players disrespecting the jersey, it's a whole range of factors family, seeing other things, life after rugby."
Australia and New Zealand remain two of the only countries refusing to pick overseas-based players in their Test teams. It increases their value on the market while players from other nations require leave from club matches to play Tests for their country. There's no simple solution and the ARU has adjusted its rules to allow sabbaticals from 2016, but Turinui believes flexibility will help keep the Wallabies' top talent.
Turinui, who coaches at Lille, and former NSW Waratahs teammate Chris Whitaker, who is coaching at Narbonne, were at Wallabies training this week.
Folau is Australian rugby's greatest asset, but has been linked to a multimillion-dollar move to Toulon when his contract ends next year. French clubs will get a close look at the former NRL and AFL player when the Wallabies take on France on Saturday night.
Clubs are already licking their lips at the sight of the big fullback and France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said Folau would fit into the Top 14.
"Folau is a world-class player. He wouldn't have any problem to play in Top 14 and I think a lot of club presidents are ready to welcome him to their club. Folau should just adapt to play more games. Here the competition lasts 11 months and it would also be a big cultural change for him."
There has been speculation Horwill has agreed to join English club Harlequins while Genia admits he's considering a move to Bath. Ashley-Cooper, a veteran of 102 Tests, has already said he will likely move to France after the World Cup after a decade of service to the Wallabies. Ben Mowen shocked Australian rugby when he quit the Australian captaincy this year to sign a deal with Montpellier.
But former Test captain Horwill said the Wallabies jersey was still the highest prize in Australia.
"I've got a great amount of passion playing for my country and Queensland," Horwill said. "I'm lucky to have been able to do that for so long I don't think there's talk of a mass exodus. Each individual has decisions to make, but the Wallabies jersey is still the No. 1 thing. It's a prized possession. You're very lucky to be in this position and you want to make the most of it, you don't want to take anything for granted."
Quade Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani and Rob Horne also loom as targets while Christian Lealiifano turned down offers this year to stay in Australia.
The ARU has a strict Wallabies eligibility policy to protect the strength of Super Rugby clubs. But players including Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, George Smith and Digby Ioane now ply their trade overseas without any hope of playing for the Wallabies. The rules will be relaxed from 2016 to allow players to maximise their revenue with a one-off stint in France or Japan if they commit to a three-year deal with the ARU.
"Case by case gives [the ARU] all the power. Why make rules that could hurt [the Wallabies] on-field performance," Turinui said. "And if Giteau plays, you give him match payments. But you don't have to pay his contract so that gives someone else an opportunity.
"Australia is the toughest sporting market in the world, I understand that you have to protect the product of Super Rugby. Australia just have to find the balance. I don't have the magical answer, but the more room you have to move the better."
There's the perception that playing in France was simply a cash grab at the end of a player's career. But Toulon star Giteau said the reality is much more different, with a change in lifestyle without the hectic travel of Super Rugby and the Wallabies duties.
"For me, I just needed to get out of Australia and experience something new. I never thought I would spend seven years playing in France, but that's what I'm looking at," Giteau said. "It's been great for me and for my family. I enjoy my rugby over here that reflects in my game."
Former ACT Brumby and two-Test Wallaby Peter Kimlin gave up his World Cup goal to sign with Grenoble and agreed with Giteau's assessment of rugby in France.
"Everyone is individual and yes, some people will chase the money. Guys who can't crack Super Rugby get their chance over here and they kill it," Kimlin said. "Every player wants to travel and you get that in Europe, that's attractive. But the Wallabies is always a big drawcard back home."
Turinui's view is to assess each player's case as it arrives at the ARU instead of blanket rules that don't allow for flexibility.
"Australian tight-five forwards are less popular than the backs Quade will also be popular over here because the French appreciate the X-factor, Rob Horne as well," Turinui said.
"For the French, the attraction goes to the superstar guys like Folau but also guys who have been starters and are on the bench now. That's the opportunity for French club. Australia's the third-ranked team in the world, every player is attractive."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/a...e-to-rich-european-clubs-20141114-11memx.html
Makes sense. The ARU coming up with a policy that achieves the exact opposite of what is intended. No surprises there either.
