Aussie Player Exodus

[PhilClinton]

Toby Macpherson, Captain of this year’s Aus u20s, has signed with Toyota Verblitz.

Yes and no.

He's been granted a special release from the Brumbies to play there next year for development before returning to the Brumbies for 2026 and 2027 seasons.

 

[Wilson]

Yes and no.

He's been granted a special release from the Brumbies to play there next year for development before returning to the Brumbies for 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Seems like a net positive overall. Gets high level pro experience while he's still not quite ready for super and is still locked in to return. Not entirely without risk, but looks worth the reward. I'd like to see more of this, particularly for young tight 5 players

 

[wamberal99]

Seems like a net positive overall. Gets high level pro experience while he's still not quite ready for super and is still locked in to return. Not entirely without risk, but looks worth the reward. I'd like to see more of this, particularly for young tight 5 players

What is the situation if he decides he wants to stay in Japan..........

 

[Adam84]

What is the situation if he decides he wants to stay in Japan..........

Well... that's why he has a contract

And Japanese rugby isn't a culture which encourages players to breaks contracts...

 

[Dctarget]

Yes and no.

He's been granted a special release from the Brumbies to play there next year for development before returning to the Brumbies for 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Awesome, didn't know that. Go well kid.

 

[Bullrush]

spicy comments leading into the Boks v Scotland clash

Would you rather play 70 Tests for a country you weren't born in or 0 Tests for anyone at all.

 

[PhilClinton]

What is the situation if he decides he wants to stay in Japan..........

I'd say this type of arrangement firmly keeps the power with the Super Rugby team.

Brumbies get to see him play in a professional environment for a year. If he looks ready to go, they call him back for 2026 or if he still looks a bit raw, they could see if Toyota want him on loan of another year. If he looks absolutely out of his depth (unlikely) they probably try and negotiate for him to stay in Japan fulltime.

If he decides he doesn't want to come home, well he has a contract that will either be enforced or the Brumbies will end up being compensated for releasing him.

 

[Ignoto]

Would you rather play 70 Tests for a country you weren't born in or 0 Tests for anyone at all.

Given how many Saffers have left their country for better pastures, it's a bit of a silly comment to make?

 

[Derpus]

Would you rather play 70 Tests for a country you weren't born in or 0 Tests for anyone at all.

Most people will just do whatever pays them the most money. That's generally why rules exist. Current test rugby is a joke.

 

[Bullrush]

Most people will just do whatever pays them the most money. That's generally why rules exist. Current test rugby is a joke.

Why should players play for less money? Or no money at all?

 

[Quicktapsonly]

 

[Wilson]

A little surprising given he's just been on the Japan tour, but this may speak to where he's valued at the Reds as much as anything else. I know plenty of people like Aubrey and he definitely has potential, but for mine he's really struggled to take the next step, particularly in terms of accuracy, consistency and discipline. Still, I would've much rather seen him in 7s or Japan for a stint then than heading to league.

 

[Brumby Runner]

"then" and "than", the new there, their, they're. Completely changes the meaning of the last sentence W.

 

[Wilson]

"then" and "than", the new there, their, they're. Completely changes the meaning of the last sentence W.

I'm usually so careful with it too haha. Cant even blame it on posting before coffee this time either.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Has it been mentioned that both Brad Wilkin and Jed Holloway will be playing in MLR next season for the San Diego Legion? Will grow the Australian presence to at least 5 players next season alongside Hugh Roach, Darcy Breen and Jimmy Hokafonu from Eastwood.

 

[Quicktapsonly]

Has it been mentioned that both Brad Wilkin and Jed Holloway will be playing in MLR next season for the San Diego Legion? Will grow the Australian presence to at least 5 players next season alongside Hugh Roach, Darcy Breen and Jimmy Hokafonu from Eastwood.

Can SDL find some good USA homegrown talent

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'd say this type of arrangement firmly keeps the power with the Super Rugby team.

Brumbies get to see him play in a professional environment for a year. If he looks ready to go, they call him back for 2026 or if he still looks a bit raw, they could see if Toyota want him on loan of another year. If he looks absolutely out of his depth (unlikely) they probably try and negotiate for him to stay in Japan fulltime.

If he decides he doesn't want to come home, well he has a contract that will either be enforced or the Brumbies will end up being compensated for releasing him.

I think it's a solid move by the Brumbies and something I'd like to see other Australian franchises look to emulate with younger promising players. Somewhere like the JRL1 or MLR would be solid development opportunities for younger prospects.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Can SDL find some good USA homegrown talent

The league is about building a entertainment product meaning they look to source the best talent available that's willing to either take up the opportunity or experience of playing in the States. Each club has 10 foreign players slots in the game day squad. Some have more in their overall squad via trades. The rest are either Canadian who are considered domestic or Eagles eligible. They also have the Anthem out of Charlotte that is geared toward 100% Eagles eligible players. That said, this is only a recent thing as the League is on board with the USA hosting the 2031 RWC.

 

[PhilClinton]

A little surprising given he's just been on the Japan tour, but this may speak to where he's valued at the Reds as much as anything else. I know plenty of people like Aubrey and he definitely has potential, but for mine he's really struggled to take the next step, particularly in terms of accuracy, consistency and discipline. Still, I would've much rather seen him in 7s or Japan for a stint then than heading to league.

I wonder if this was common knowledge pre-tour. Seems a waste of a spot to take him considering I believe his 2024 deal expired on 31st Oct.

Agree with your assessment and I think he’s further away from making the Broncos than he was playing consistently for the Reds so this is very interesting move.

 

[Dctarget]

Home favourite Dickie Hardwick got quite a nice write up on France's top rugby site for his Man of the Round performance in ProD2 for Grenoble:

Pro D2 - Star of the Week

Let's focus on a little-known player in the French championship, who nevertheless has made his place in the Grenoble's XV thanks to his experience and certain know-how. He was essential to Grenoble's victory over Oyannax on the weekend.

At 30, Richard Hardwick has built up solid experience at the highest level, years in Super Rugby (Western Force, Rebels), in the Championship (Ealing Trailfinders) and in the Namibia jersey (5 selections including 4 during the last World Cup). Having arrived in Isère at the beginning of the summer, the backrow has gradually found his place in the team, slowly as a substitute, during the trip to Aurillac, rewarded with a try on debut.

Since then, the player who played two test matches with Australia in 2017, has been continuously appearing on the match sheets with Grenoble, first as a substitute and then as a starter for the last four matches. On the pitch at the Stade Charles-Mathon, within a young and revamped squad, he has fully assumed a leadership role. The powerful try he scored at the start of the 2nd half, although rubbed out due to it being found to be held up, was just one illustration of a total commitment to the group both in defensive efforts (12 successful tackles in 76 minutes of play) and in offensive work against the Oyonnaxian defense. Like his team, the Grenoble third row delivered a benchmark match in the Haut-Bugey by asserting himself as a leader.

L'étoile de la semaine : Richard Hardwick, leader dans l'âme

Focus sur un joueur peu connu du championnat français, mais qui a pourtant fait sa place dans le XV titulaire grenoblois à la faveur d'une expérience et d'un savoir faire certains. Il fut l'un des joueurs...

www.rugbyrama.fr