It appears as though the ‘invisible hand’ of the economy the father of modern economics Adam Smith once talked about, has given money hungry rugby players in England a swift kick in the ass.
In a bid to insulate themselves from the effects of global financial crisis, club bosses in England’s Guinness premiership have agreed that all clubs will adhere to a maximum player wage bill of $A8.74M (STG 4M) for the 2009-10 season. Players on average will now be paid less and in all possibility squad sizes reduced, despite the plans for more fixtures over the lucrative Christmas – New Year period.
This is surely a win for Australian rugby – supporters and administrators at least – as the rewards on offer in ‘dear old Blighty’ will now moderate thus maybe keeping a few of our blokes at home to ply their trade rather than chasing the bucks.
This not only applies to Australia but also New Zealand and South Africa as any reduction in the player drain to England would not only bolster thinning player ranks, but also improve the over all standard of the Super 14
With French Top 14 side Montpellier in financial strife, we could realistically see this sort of initiative spread through all of Europe which would also bring a stop to the pervasive, so called, Sabbatical.
Considering the likes of Phil Waugh, George Smith and Matt Giteau are the subject of offers from overseas clubs next season, this could not have come at a better time for Australian rugby.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="733 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=733">11 Comments
I think you’re right JC, this should definitely cool things a bit. You can’t blame the players for chasing the bucks, better when the bucks aren’t there.
While it’s the Euro and not the pound that seems to be the bigger problem, as you mention, with a bit of luck this economic cold could/should spread to France and Ireland as well.
Question is – should our blokes come back better players after a stint in the mud?
About our blokes coming back better players – take examples of Rocky Elsom and Rodzilla.
Rocky was world class to start with so it is hard to imagine that anything slogging it out in Ireland would add to his game, so the answer there is probably no.
Zilla was an unfinsihed project when he left the Reds so some time getting shoved around in France will do him a power of good. Case in point the Baa-Baa’s game where he dominated Dunning before breaking him, so the answer there is probably yes.
I think any chance you can get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons a bit is a good thing. It is kind of surprising that more European players don’t do what Freddie Michalak did when he made the switch to leave France and play with the Sharks in South Africa. I think his South African Experience will make him a better player. I do think that beyond the money, I think a Tri Nations player can get maturity and the ability to think outside the box by playing in Europe.
Nursedude’s last blog post..Adieu Xavier! ….and Other Toulouse News
Wonderful, Juan. Now, please tell me:
How do you feel about Daniel Braid playing with the Reds?
Ses, I reckon Braid is the signing of the season…he qualifies to play for the Wallabies in three seasons which makes him eligble for the 2011 World Cup does it not?
Ezra Taylor is another Kiwi signed by the Reds who looks the business.
Pretty sure he can’t play for Australia. You can only play for one country. Hence, Deans being so desperate to brand O’Connor, Kepu and Cooper as our own. Don’t matter how long Braid lives in aus, he ain’t going to see any internationals. Not that he did before hand.
Least that’s what i heard…
Good post Ed,
Tiaan Strauss played for the Wallabies in 1999 after playing for the Bokkies – that’s what I based my assumption on. Not sure what the rules are now though……?
Apart from Pocock there aren’t too many other candidates considering Smith and
Waugh will be gone by 2011.
Timing in life is everything. Dan Carter picked the perfect time to get his sweet-heart deal with USAP. I don’t think you are going to see nearly the amount of poaching of Tri-Nations players by English and Top 14 sides. Surely Carter’s deal will be the last of it’s kind for quite some time. In a very real way, the financial travails in Europe are good news if you are a fan of the Reds, ‘Tahs, Brumbies and Western Force.
Nursedude’s last blog post..Adieu Xavier! ….and Other Toulouse News
Strauss and Pato Noriega were old rules, changed partly in their honour. I believe that there are no more dual internationals except cross-code, effectively.
I think we should send all our props off for two years in the mud (after capping them of course!)
Elsom will probably enrich his teammates and opponents more than himself, but even so the experience of a completely different playing and coaching environment can only help.
Are you the Juan Cote that used to play junior rep footy for the Darling Downs in the eighties? If so, I think I saw you running on the outside of Jason Little once…nice turn of speed. Anyhow, its a shame players of the calibre of Andrew Farley, Chris (Pat) Malone, Graydon Staniforth, ‘Chuck’ Berry, Manny Edmonds, Christian Warner and a host of others aren’t back in Oz playing for a Super 14 side. I daresay their skillset has been expanded by playing in the Old Dart and beyond and would be useful back here. Some will inevitably be targeted when the 5th Super 14 side is established (if that hasn’t been cut because of the GFC).
As for Rodzilla, he is a work in progress and I’d imagine his Wallaby playing days, which didn’t amount to much, will be added to. I’d also like to see ‘Spuddy’ Holmes back in the green and gold. He promised a lot but couldn’t really deliver due to injuries.
My bolter for Wallaby colours this year on the end of year tour is Luke Morahan – dynamic Reds Academy winger with tons of pace.
As for the Tahs…..spent force…..
Nice to have you on-board Lance, not sure your memory is that accurate though