Perhaps some of the players are taking the punt that within a couple of years they think the ARU will start selecting overseas based players for the Wallabies?
Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
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Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
At least 5 or 6 that I know of, which probably means there are others. They're the new target of the European clubs.
It's not a huge problem yet as it's only just started happening, but......
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
How much is it worth to be a Wallaby?
No doubt each player's decision-making process is unique. However, it seems pretty clear that there is an inverse relationship between the money and the jersey.
The bigger the money from alternative sources, the less the jersey matters.
Being a former Wallaby used to mean a lot. Now it doesn't.
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
So these are guys who are playing SS - were they likely to pick up Super Rugby contracts? Were they likely to be top Super Rugby players? Were they future Wallabies?
If the answer to most of those questions is 'NO' then who cares if they go overseas. All it does is open the door for another player who you might say "YES' to when asked the same the same question.
If guys who are likely to be great rugby players in Super Rugby and Test rugby were turning their back on their opportunity to stake their claim (like I think Nick White seems to be doing) then you have issues.
I really don't understand the whole idea of Genia going overseas to get his footy back on track. When I think of the players who went overseas in NZ and Aus, how many came back better players? There are 2 players who come to mind who went overseas and came back just as good - Leon MacDonald and Kaino. Both went to Japan.
Before Kaino went to Japan I theorised that he was actually going over almost as a rehabilitation program. When MacDonald came back to the ABs I heard him in an interview where he said that while the games in Japan are not as hard as Super Rugby/ITM etc, the trainings were full-on and he probably was in the fittest shape of his life. So when Kaino went for the 2 years, I wondered if he was going there as a way to get his body right (he was carrying a few niggly injuries when he left NZ) stay in good shape, keep playing competitive rugby and make a heap of money, backing himself to still be good enough to make the ABs on his return and play the 2015 RWC. I have no way of knowing how true it is but I think it was a strategic move by him. But he left as a premier player - not someone struggling to find form or make the AB squad. He was in the running for IRB Player of the Year when he left.
But yeah - how many players go overseas and come back better? Even though Burgess made the Wallaby squad as times last year, has his overseas stint made him a better player so that you'd easily rate him in the Top 2 half-backs? Phipps and White seem to be pretty neck-and-neck with him yeah? Elsom - 'nuff said.
What will Genia really get - in terms of becoming a better player - by going overseas?
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Being an All Black is a pretty huge boost for NZ players CVs. Same as Boks or English players I'd think.
It's not same for Wallabies? I mean, surely it's a pretty impressive thing to say?!? If you're saying that it's not then WOW - you really are looking at some serious issues I think.
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
Bullshit - being a former Wallaby means a lot to those guys that represented Australia. To say less is disgraceful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is a priceless achievment received by a few. The former and even current Wallabies I know or have come into contact with would take issue with your ill-founded comment.
Kids dream of it, aspire to it. The pleasure in achieving a lifelong goal cannot be defined.
However, once that goal has been achieved and a considerable number of games played then other considerations (such as money + lifestyle) are justifiably taken into account
I like to watch
David Codey (61)
Is the question,how do the players rate being a Wallaby.
Or is it how are Wallabies perceived by the General public.
Let's remember that in both NZ & SA,Rugby is the premier code,whereas in Oz it's a niche sport.
Or is it how are Wallabies perceived by the General public.
Let's remember that in both NZ & SA,Rugby is the premier code,whereas in Oz it's a niche sport.
Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
Just like in any sport, the players rate representing their country as being the highest achievement in the game. The rugby public have a similar view.
But to the country at large most of them wouldn't know who the current Wallabies are let alone who was a Wallaby 10 years ago.
In NZ and I imagine in SAF former All Blacks and Springboks are known throughout the country and the greats are national icons. That just isn't the case in Australia.
And unfortunately we've been behind the Aussie Rules and League for a century - and we're falling further behind, and now we're behind Soccer as well.
Jagman
Trevor Allan (34)
Why isn't our U20s side designated as our second senior national side so that we can "capture" young players for Aus like Wales do?
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/s...igibility-are-a-disgrace-20150121-12vjzk.html
The only thing I can think of is that the RUPA might object.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/s...igibility-are-a-disgrace-20150121-12vjzk.html
The only thing I can think of is that the RUPA might object.
We benefit from the fact that some Aussies end up playing for the various Pacific Island countries in their first year in the Under 20s before playing for Australia when they are 19.
Maybe it would be seen as cynical if we continue getting the advantage of sending more Aussie players to the JWC but then making it such than anyone playing our team is locked in to only ever representing us.
Has a player who has played Under 20s for Australia ever played test rugby for another country?
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Nemani Nadolo has, I'm sure there are more than a few others. The issue atm is not necessarily that the u20s side isn't the second side, it's that Australia A don't play games. It's an excellent way to develop fringe test players, cost is tricky to work out, but you could probably book something during the June internationals without too much trouble.
Jagman
Trevor Allan (34)
That sounds fair BH. It would seem cynical but if things get bad as people predict will the ARU have a choice? Lalakai Foketi is a very good player who could end up playing for another nation. and Nemani Nadolo is an example of an Aus u20 who played for another senior nation but yeah, can't think of many.
I forgot about Nadolo.
Australia A games disappeared because they're expensive to hold but don't generate significant revenue.
If anything, the games that might be Australia A games are Wallabies games these days but we field a sub standard team and lose (Samoa and Scotland) but at least they generate revenue.
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
This is what I mean by some of these guys still having things to prove as Wallabies.
Winning a Bledisloe. A RWC. More Rugby Championships.
Still - if they win a RWC this year then that's a pretty huge tick.
I think the question around the value of the Wallaby jersey is more around whether having 'Ex-Wallaby' on a player's CV is as valuable as 'Ex-All Black' or 'Ex-Springbok'. I hope it does because that's a big bargaining chip to keeping players in Australia. Do the hard yards and become a Wallaby - when you've achieved what you want to there, the pay-out is in even bigger overseas eg. Nonu, Carter, Franks etc
Then of course there is, new 4s signing, Sitiveni Mafi who played for Tonga.
A few Oz 19s and Oz 21s here, which we had before U20s.
Greg Peterson has played for the USA Eagles, as did Michael Hercus
Luke McLean has played for Italy
Vitori Buatava played for Fiji
A few Oz 19s and Oz 21s here, which we had before U20s.
Greg Peterson has played for the USA Eagles, as did Michael Hercus
Luke McLean has played for Italy
Vitori Buatava played for Fiji
2bluesfan
Nev Cottrell (35)
Are you using a dictation program?????
Mate, I am waaaaayyyyy too busy looking up details of random former age group Wallaby squad members to type of the full word "Force"