Aussie Player Exodus

[Sword of Justice]

and they were such a great couple. sad.

 

[Members Section]

actually they have picked up Sam Jefferies from NEC as well, should be a solid div2 side

 

[Dctarget]

Congratulations to Will Skelton who's extended his stay at La Rochelle until 2028! He'll be 36 by then.

 

[Dctarget]

Kane Douglas, who I swear had retired at the end of this season from Bordeaux, has just signed with La Rochelle, age 35.

 

[Members Section]

Joey Powell staying in France, going to the ProD2

 

[John S]

From the Daily Terror: (Courtesy of twitter)

7 Aussies to be granted early releases:
Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase)
Carter Gordon
Jordan Uelese
Izaia Perese
Josh Kemeny
Shed Hanigan
Lachie Swinton

 

[Highlander35]

Remains an interesting decision from Uelese to me.

He was caught in 3 minds before the Rebels Quarter final and still very invested in getting revenge on Wales. The offer must have been serious.

 

[KOB1987]

Remains an interesting decision from Uelese to me.

He was caught in 3 minds before the Rebels Quarter final and still very invested in getting revenge on Wales. The offer must have been serious.

Not getting selected might have had a bit to do with it.

 

[Derpus]

Why would it be a shock to the bloke?

That's an extraordinary loss of talent though. Seriously as bad as its ever been.

 

[Highlander35]

Not getting selected might have had a bit to do with it.

Could very well be. Might depend on whether they wanted commitment to playing Super in 2024 before Wallaby selection got finalised.

 

[KOB1987]

Could very well be. Might depend on whether they wanted commitment to playing Super in 2024 before Wallaby selection got finalised.

Yes definitely could happen that way around as well. It certainly feels like they are having a bit of a purge, i.e. let all the uncommitted players go and start with a clean slate. It will be interesting to see what the foreign player policy is going forward, my gut feel is they will stick to the rule of 3 players who have done their time, at least for the time being. Koroibete, Kerevi, Skelton.

 

[Rebel man]

Yes definitely could happen that way around as well. It certainly feels like they are having a bit of a purge, i.e. let all the uncommitted players go and start with a clean slate. It will be interesting to see what the foreign player policy is going forward, my gut feel is they will stick to the rule of 3 players who have done their time, at least for the time being. Koroibete, Kerevi, Skelton.

What a dumb way of doing it.

let’s not pick our best players, build with players from four domestic teams. We will lose another 15% of them overseas next year

 

[Mr Pilfer]

People always focus on the amount leaving but we do have quite a few coming back the other way so the key is to keep getting them. Quite a few have come back - BPA, Harry Potter, LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto), Kellaway went and came back etc. Hopefully 2027 World Cup brings a lot back around then.

 

[Linerunner2023]

Why would it be a shock to the bloke?

That's an extraordinary loss of talent though. Seriously as bad as its ever been.

What makes is worse is 1 year post RWC - usually it’s RWC year is the worst after the cup
And with a home lions series and RWC coming it’s even worse again

 

[Wilson]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but it sounds like Angus Staniforth might have signed with Aurillac in France for next season

Supporters group on Facebook seems pretty convinced:

Supporters du Stade Aurillacois | Doublé pour Angus Staniforth avec les U20 australiens pour le 1er match de la coupe du monde, futur aurillacois à suivre de près | Facebook

Doublé pour Angus Staniforth avec les U20 australiens pour le 1er match de la coupe du monde, futur aurillacois à suivre de près!!

www.facebook.com

 

[KOB1987]

I think that for young players like Angus who are not quite good enough yet to get into a Super side, going overseas for 1-3 years to develop their game is a good thing. Caveat being that they come home though of course.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I hope you're right about Angus KOB. He was part of the best development system in the country, and I have high hopes for him in future. IMO, he could have reached the dizzy heights of Super and above right here.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think that for young players like Angus who are not quite good enough yet to get into a Super side, going overseas for 1-3 years to develop their game is a good thing. Caveat being that they come home though of course.

Has that happened yet though? I have no issue with players leaving for development at a certain point in their careers, but currently I feel like all the players who've left either straight out of high school or at this 19/20 yr old level have moved so they can become eligible for another nation.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Has that happened yet though? I have no issue with players leaving for development at a certain point in their careers, but currently I feel like all the players who've left either straight out of high school or at this 19/20 yr old level have moved so they can become eligible for another nation.

Miles Amatosero came home. Can't think of any other example. Seems you've lost alot of young talent to France lately.

 

[KOB1987]

Has that happened yet though? I have no issue with players leaving for development at a certain point in their careers, but currently I feel like all the players who've left either straight out of high school or at this 19/20 yr old level have moved so they can become eligible for another nation.

I doubt Angus has gone off to qualify for France, he would be a better shout to make the Wallabies eventually. I’d say more likely some family connections made some calls to organise an overdue gap year (or 2) for him. For reference, uncle Graydon played out his final pro years at Aurillac.