RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
Admittedly I have been an advocate of this big time, but it's great to see some ARU common sense likely to be applied to Aus S15 player transfers:
ARU CEO John O'Neill defends Super Rugby's Australian conference, hints at transfer window
By Adrian Warren AAP May 22, 2012 3:58PM
Desperate to end speculation over player movements between Australian franchises, the Australian Rugby Union is keen to introduce a transfer window at or near the end of the current Super Rugby season.
The botched trade of Will Genia to Western Force and last week's announcement that Queensland Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham would be joining Melbourne Rebels next year has sparked concern that in-season transfers between Super Rugby franchises could become as frequent as those seen in the NRL.
To counteract this, ARU CEO John O'Neill said he's looking at a system whereby it would be a no-go zone for players to negotiate or sign new contracts outside any transfer window.
"You saw with the Will Genia circumstance, it wasn’t ideal for him as a player, it wasn’t ideal for the Force who missed out, (and) clearly the Reds went through some pain and agony as well.
"I don’t think the system that we’ve got at the moment is ideal."
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