Aussie Player Exodus

[Dismal Pillock]

is the system really setup to discriminate against ethnic Japanese in Japan?

I dont understand this bit.

Ethnic Japanese can fill the front row and inside back positions. Everywhere else on the field they're usually fighting a losing battle against genetics. Asian man vs Tongan man aint no rugby riddle.

 

[PhilClinton]

Lots of the Aussie Japanese contingent have come back for the long weekend. I was chatting to a couple of guys today who are currently in that crop of players and they reckon the standard of the competition has dropped big time in the last couple of seasons.

They particularly called out some of the D2 teams who are currently carrying the highest paid players in Japan (who are obviously internationals) and then surrounding them with average at best local players because they don’t want to spend more money. The management of the teams doesn’t seem to be making genuine attempts to put together the best side, just sign the best foreign players and get that recognition.

 

[Wilson]

I dont understand this bit.

Ethnic Japanese can fill the front row and inside back positions. Everywhere else on the field they're usually fighting a losing battle against genetics. Asian man vs Tongan man aint no rugby riddle.

As in the South Africans brought in racial quotas to overcome deep seated discrimination holding black/coloured players back. That's the nearest parallel I can see for these proposed regulations for Japan, so do they have the same problem to solve with them?

I don't really think they do, which is part of why I don't think these laws will work, or at least I don't think they are a particular effective or efficient solution to their problems.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

The management of the teams doesn’t seem to be making genuine attempts to put together the best side, just sign the best foreign players and get that recognition.

thats surprising, I just assumed the top uni-to-pro rugby pathways would be as organised as the rest of society

 

[Dismal Pillock]

As in the South Africans brought in racial quotas to overcome deep seated discrimination holding black/coloured players back. That's the nearest parallel I can see for these proposed regulations for Japan, so do they have the same problem to solve with them?

I think it might be the opposite? I dont think the Faf's and Marx's and Brodie's are holding back superior Japanese players?

 

[KOB1987]

With the amount of players reported to be leaving, having him as one of our three overseas picks isn’t a given.

You’d think Ikitau and Wright would be auto selections based on current form which only leaves one more slot.

I don't think limiting it to three overseas picks is a given either.

I'm actually happy for Taniela to go to France, maybe they can re World class him. You know the saying, the first name on the team sheet is the tight head prop, the second name is the reserve tight head prop. Pick him from where ever he is playing if his form warrants it. Re Ikitau, isn't his stint more like a sabbatical?

 

[Major Tom]

I don't think limiting it to three overseas picks is a given either.

I'm actually happy for Taniela to go to France, maybe they can re World class him. You know the saying, the first name on the team sheet is the tight head prop, the second name is the reserve tight head prop. Pick him from where ever he is playing if his form warrants it. Re Ikitau, isn't his stint more like a sabbatical?

Dangerous time to be a croissant.

 

[CreepyJoe]

Hearing Ryan Smith has signed with Glasgow for next year. Anyone else?

 

[Tazzmania]

Rob Leota confirmed two year deal with Bayonne

READ MORE

 

[Adam84]

Ryan Smith to ospreys confirmed

 

[LevitatingSocks]

I dont understand this bit.

Ethnic Japanese can fill the front row and inside back positions. Everywhere else on the field they're usually fighting a losing battle against genetics. Asian man vs Tongan man aint no rugby riddle.

The japanese players I see around club rugby fit that exact mold. Undersized front rowers or halves that are ridiculously fit and good for the full 80.

 

[Derpus]

Ryan Smith to ospreys confirmed

It's concerning that Ospreys can afford to pay him more than we can?

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's concerning that Ospreys can afford to pay him more than we can?

Wales made $215m aud in revenue. Their urc salary cap is just about twice our Super Rugby cap.

It's the six nations rivers of gold

 

[dru]

Ryan Smith to ospreys confirmed

Would have been good to hold him, for sure.

What I see happening is the contraction from 4 to 5 franchises initially artificially increases the quality within the franchise game day and broader squads. Unfortunately while losing a bunch of previous talent that had been knocking on the door of the 23. In an absence of related increase to the salary cap and financials to support it, the next off-season begins an iterative reduction of that talent that the franchises can no longer afford. If temptation allows an increase in the salary cap, but are not supported by better financials, then it still happens but with smaller iterations that take longer and with greater structural damage to the financials of the game overall.

The step after that is that we don't have those previously "knocking on the door" players, and that will likely impact the subsequent re-build. So it will be bumpier getting back to where we might have been all along without the reduction in franchise.

The default "shrink to greatness" can only really be effected with an average increase in funds for the players we think we are going to hold. That might come with the much vaunted BIL and RWC "treasure trove". Sure hope so. We could better fight to retain those players and shift the artificial increase in quality to something less artificial and more sustainable.

No-one will be surprised, but with my best wishes I also have my doubts.

 

[Ignoto]

It's concerning that Ospreys can afford to pay him more than we can?

Out of the 4 senior locks the Reds have, Smith is the only one without a Wallaby top up. Unfortunately there's no way the Reds can cover all four salaries.

Ryan may not have wanted play for another super team as well right now.

 

[Wilson]

Out of the 4 senior locks the Reds have, Smith is the only one without a Wallaby top up. Unfortunately there's no way the Reds can cover all four salaries.

Ryan may not have wanted play for another super team as well right now.

Without a Wallaby cap. I can't see when Blyth would've been given a wallaby top up. There's a chance he's up for a small one now, but it's fairly congested at lock - Salakaia-Loto, Canham, Frost, Williams and Phillips will all have them heading into next year, possibly Swain on a small one as well. With overseas picks and potential coverage from the back row in any squad it doesn't really make sense to me for RA to be topping up more than 5 locks for any length of time (probably only 3 to a significant degree).

I suspect the biggest difference is age - Blyth is almost 2 years younger then Smith but debuted 2 years earlier. Their Reds contracts are probably pretty similar at this stage but Blyth's career earnings would likely be healthier meaning the money offers from overseas are not as pressing for him. Probably also leaves the QRU just a bit more inclined to bet on him int he long run.

 

[dru]

Without a Wallaby cap. I can't see when Blyth would've been given a wallaby top up.

Simply supports my earlier post.

 

[Wilson]

Not looking forward to the effect 2 new NRL teams in the space of 2 years is going to have on the player market. We're going to need to be very proactive in locking up young talent over the next few years, which is really going to stress the need for some sort of competitive rugby between club and super to bring them through and make the most of that investment.

If Japan does go through with their ethnicity rule changes that may help a bit, I can see a decent chunk of the Australian, Kiwi and Pasifika talent squeezed out there considering jumping (back in some cases) to the NRL.

 

[Crashy]

yeah this Bears WA thing is a big worry. Massive handbrake on the good momentum the code has made this year.
Need a properly supported and funded Melbourne team.

 

[LeCheese]

Need a properly supported and funded Melbourne team.