Wednesday’s rugby news has a call for a Southern hemisphere competition, Palu out, Benji struggling and England trying to compete with the Top 14.
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Mehrtens calls for NZ/Aus coup
Former All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens has called for Australia and New Zealand to break off from Super Rugby and form their own competition. Mehrtens cited the difference in time zones and the travel difficulties as the biggest problems in the existing structure.
“We might have lost a little interest in playing South African teams, and ultimately the future of this competition might be more localised round time zones,” wrote Mehrtens. The 70 Test New Zealander suggested either expanding the teams from Australian and New Zealand, or involving teams from the Pacific Islands and Japan. [/one_half]
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Palu doubtful for Bulls game
It has now been revealed that Wycliff Palu’s absence from the Waratahs game against the Force, originally thought to be attributable to injury, was actually due to the death of his father, Lua, in Sydney. Palu did not train yesterday and the Waratahs have left it up to the no.8 to decide his eligibility for this weekend’s game against the Bulls.
Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu has said that the Tahs squad will understand if Palu is not able to play, but also emphasized the no.8’s impact. “There are moments in the game that he can change, [with] big runs or [when he] flattens or turns the mental attitude, or weakens the opposition,” Kepu said. [/one_half]
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Benji told to quit union
Former Wallaby Al Baxter has said that Benji Marshall should forgo his attempts to be successful in the 15 a side game and return to league. “In all honesty he’s having a shocker,” Baxter said, while also questioning the Blues’ decision to put the code-switching Marshall to 10. “They’ve put a lot of pressure on him and unfortunately he hasn’t responded.”
Despite failing to live up to expectations Blues chief executive Michael Redman says the franchise will not release Benji before the end of his two-year contract. English club Salford are reportedly trying to lure Marshall back to league with a $1 million salary. [/one_half]
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England to stop player exodus
England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) have highlighted the need to challenge the financial incentives of French Rugby in an attempt to limit the post-2015 World Cup player drain. RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie hinted at increasing the salary cap to allow English clubs to be financially competitive. In terms of the financial incentives for players, Ritchie said, “We should be absolutely at the top of the pile here. We should help to try and achieve that and we should be unashamed of that.”
Premiership clubs currently operate under a salary cap that increases to STG5 million ($A8.94 million) next season, while England players benefit from a match fee of STG15,000 ($A26,807.26). [/one_half]
