Homer
Tom Lawton (22)
If the kids are that good why are we not picking them in the Aus U20s for the WC? No rule against picking juniors from overseas. NZ did it.
2025 Super Rugby Under 16 and 19 series (u16's, 27th Sept - 2nd Nov) (u19's, 13th Sept - 5th Oct)
- Thread starter Rudderless
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Upthemaroon!
Ward Prentice (10)
Exactly, keep them connected to RA
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
We might still, if they accept selection. It's fairly uncharted territory though with these pre-20 departures to France being quite new.
The other issue is how good they are compared to the top guys still home, and I don't know that any of these guys are definitively better (they probably wouldn't have been lost if they were). It's the 2nd rung where it hurts, and that's why it's more of an issue for the state sides.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
If you are picking them from overseas you are making a call on what you saw as a Schoolboy and U18s. I have no problem with selecting a couple of them when you have seen what they can do and not a whole lot changes for many of the top guys between U18s - 20s.
If you are a fringe guy you probably fall out of selection. Out of sight, out of mind.
If you are a fringe guy you probably fall out of selection. Out of sight, out of mind.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I have no problem with prioritising guys who have stayed in the Australian rugby ecosystem either
Major Tom
Dick Tooth (41)
I'd say Leota and Pereira would have been probably the best THP and LHP in Aus for their age. Leota definitely, France just went at him hard and I assume RA weren't ready to combat it.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Neither. I'm just accepting the fact some of these guys are being offered contracts you can't ignore. We can kick rocks about it or try and make the best situation about it and keep them in the picture. They will most likely all be up for new contracts by the times their 21 and it puts any side in Aus in a better negotiating position if the players have connections with RA already.
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
On the other side of that though, we need to understand why the French clubs are doing it - it's not a short term thing. The value of these players goes way up if they spend 5 years in the age group rugby or 3 years in an acedemy before they turn 23 (JIFF) then there's no restrictions on them playing in Top 14.
For players that are lkley to be at the top level (ie one's RA should be keeping an eye on), they probably aren't coming back anytime around the age of 23 - it's when their value to the French club really pays off, and when they actually get the payoff for moving over at age 18/19/20
For players that are lkley to be at the top level (ie one's RA should be keeping an eye on), they probably aren't coming back anytime around the age of 23 - it's when their value to the French club really pays off, and when they actually get the payoff for moving over at age 18/19/20
The biggest challenge with this is you are presumably going to get them to join your squad a few days before the tournament once you arrive.
You don't have them for the leadup games and effectively have to select players purely for training with your squad before you leave so you can run effective sessions.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
We can't just say Oh well though...
Say what you want about his showings so far but the Tahs went and got Amatosero from Clermont after he went over as a teen. The French are targeting a type of player. They want size, like everyone and offering big cash now.
I'd love to see some money made from now >RWC put to use in signing our top 10 kids per year to deals. Your'e not talking huge money but FT money that may keep a few on shore or away from RL. Do it for a few years and you will have a few stars come out which pay it back if performances rise of our sides.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Technically all the Reg 9 release windows apply to under 20s as well, so you can go down that path and seek their release for pre-tournament camps and other lead up matches. Unfortunately the schedule for under 20s is such that we don't play many games (U20s Rugby Championship for example) within the windows.
You also run up against the same issue we have with senior players (club pressure on them to turn down a selection) with much less incentive for them to pushback against the club.
Red Runner
Ted Fahey (11)
just cap them all in a random 7s competition. They only need to run on and off
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
French clubs wouldn't release them for that would they? (Not that the French clubs particularly care who their players are internationally eligible for)
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
If it didn't impact their JIFF status (it shouldn't) they might not care too much, but they'd also probably prefer not to release the players, all things being equal. I think the general attitude here is for them to say no to anything that doesn't clearly benefit them.
There's also even less chance of young players accepting selection for what is clearly a blatant capping exercise (7s or Australia A) as it would end their ability to qualify for residence eligibility. Even more so when they have eligibility for other nations they might want to represent while based in France earning well.
Major Tom
Dick Tooth (41)
RA just need to keep in contact with the these boys in France. Doesn’t hurt to throw out an invite to Aus A because it shows a pathway to the wallabies. These kids are on 3yr deals, RA just need to be ready and willing to bring them home to a super franchise when their deals are about to expire. 3 years of intel to make an informed decision.