Aussie Player Exodus

[Wilson]

presented without comment as don't know full context, my understanding is at that age pretty much no one getting paid to play rugby in aus?

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Yeah, that seems like a very one sided take on a story, particularly the claim that RA/QRU were "not showing any formal ongoing interest to develop my son" when he was "participating in various representative teams over the years". Participating in rep programs at that age is formal ongoing interest, anything beyond that in terms of contracts is exceptionally rare, especially for tight five forwards. He's still at least a year younger then Uys who has just received his first contract for example.

I can't speak to the international clearance issue specifically, but if RA are exercising their rights for transfer fees around players they have developed before releasing them then I'm not sure I'm really going to complain. If he was 18 or 19 and being overlooked but also blocked I might have more sympathy, but it seems like it's on the French club for offering him a deal and flying him out before they had everything in order.

 

[Wilson]

It's a great start but still very early days and he was always one of those guys talked about as someone who should've been given a shot at super years ago. He strikes me a bit like Scott Fardy who took the long way around developing overseas before returning and making an impact here. Way too soon to be calling it a success from a wallaby level though, he's got to maintain this form the rest of the season to have a shot at the 23 and even then there are some pretty big questions about where he'll fit in (most likely competing with a bunch of guys for the bench spot). Whether or not he can replicate his form at international level is a whole other question again, if he gets that shot.

I don't think it can necessarily be extrapolated out to all players though, and I certainly wouldn't use it a reasoning to overspend on anyone else. They should absolutely be talking to Staniforth, but I think the only way this works is if the player wants to come home to have a crack at the wallabies and live in Australia, not because we've outbid the French or Japanese.

 

[Ignoto]

presented without comment as don't know full context, my understanding is at that age pretty much no one getting paid to play rugby in aus?

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Why are RA or the QRU expected to sign a 16 year old? The entitlement of that attitude is insane and you wonder how much of it has rubbed off on the poor kid.

Did I read it correctly that they're willing to send their kid off to go and live in France for his final year of school?

 

[Adam84]

I'm confused how it's up to RA to sign off on him going to France/preventing him from going if he wasn't on any kind of contract?

 

[Adam84]

But that's like the 3rd U18s prop that French clubs have signed from QLD alone in the past 12-18 months

 

[Strewthcobber]

World Rugby Regulations 4.6 & 4.7 gives them the right, although there is this in there

4.6.5 Save in the circumstances set out in Regulations 4.6.3 and 4.6.4 above, a Player’s Current Union shall not be entitled to refuse to give its consent to the issue of a Clearance.

There is this in there too - although at 16 I think he would be too young to be captured by this regulation

(b) a Non-Contract Player enters into a written agreement for the first time with a Union, Rugby Body or Club outside his Home Union, his Home Union (or Rugby Body or Club in membership of his Home Union as the case may be) shall be entitled to compensation for his training and/or development

 

[Strewthcobber]

Actually, there's more further down in that regulation

SECTION 2. YOUNG PLAYERS PROTOCOL
C. Prohibitions

An essential component of the Protocol is the prohibition on the unauthorized approach to and/or “poaching” of young players either within a Union and/or between Unions.

10. Unions (and/or their members) who make unauthorised approaches to young players and/or poach or attempt to poach young players shall be subject to sanction.

11. This Protocol requires Unions to impose appropriate sanctions on their members who make any unauthorised approaches to young players and/or poach or attempt to poach young players either within a Union or between Unions. Unions who fail to impose sanctions on members or constituents who fail to adhere to the Protocol and the spirit of the Protocol render themselves liable to sanctions.

 

[LeCheese]

Sounds messy, and likely to get more so - feel for the family stuck between the French seemingly trying to do the dirty (knowingly or unknowingly) and RA holding their ground. Hopefully there is a resolution.

Not sure that post is how I'd be dealing with the issue, but can understand they're at wits' end.

 

[Major Tom]

But that's like the 3rd U18s prop that French clubs have signed from QLD alone in the past 12-18 months

Yeah it’s a little alarming.

 

[PhilClinton]

I know the family personally so won't comment too much (or I might give up my secret identity...)

But the disappointment is definitely more with how RA have dealt with the communication side of this, although the post does have some sour grapes vibes about essentially the boy not being signed to a Super Rugby team yet.

Allegedly RA are now going to provide clearance but are saying it wasn’t received in a timely manner which has caused the issues and that is being disputed by the family who say they gave ample notice for this to be sorted in time for the season.

I agree with others, the public airing of dirty laundry isn’t really in my playbook. But I guess this is the world we live in. Whether it’s RA or McDonalds forgetting your extra cheesie, make a public fuss on social media and you’ll usually get a response.

 

[Major Tom]

Sounds like the family needs to chill out a bit. He’s in year 11 yeah?
Disappointing thing is it sounds like he might be lost to RA over this fallout.

 

[Derpus]

presented without comment as don't know full context, my understanding is at that age pretty much no one getting paid to play rugby in aus?

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What is it? I have unplugged the Zuck's tendrils from my brain.

 

[JRugby2]

Yeah 100% agree PhilK(ite)linton.

All of this can be handled better, and RA have form in providing poor comms or none at all to stakeholders.

 

[stoff]

That's part of the lesson in all this. Often people with authority don't understand they can't control the comms like they used to. Everyone has a platform now, and the media needs more content than ever to generate traffic.

 

[Braveheart81]

You'd have to think that 95% of this is a bit of a powerplay between RA and French rugby (whether that's the FFR or individual clubs or both) and the kid and his family are somewhat collateral damage in the process.

 

[Wilson]

Seems like a big part of the problem is here is World Rugby setting (ambiguous) laws around this stuff but then abrogating all responsibility to manage and enforce them. With pro contracts on the international market becoming a thing for 16 year olds they need to get their shit together on this because it's always going to be those kids that are harmed when anything goes wrong.

 

[Ignoto]

Phil, what is the clearance actually required for?

He can fly over the France to remotely finish his studies and if he's living in France, he can go to whatever gym + training sessions he wants.

Given his a minor, he is unable to sign any form of contract with RA.

From my ignorant point of view, it sounds like the only hold up is whether the kids parents can sign a letter of intent / contract with a French club for X (whether thats financial or repayment of something).

 

[JRugby2]

You'd have to think that 95% of this is a bit of a powerplay between RA and French rugby (whether that's the FFR or individual clubs or both) and the kid and his family are somewhat collateral damage in the process.

Trying to get that 100k back aye?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Seems like a big part of the problem is here is World Rugby setting (ambiguous) laws around this stuff but then abrogating all responsibility to manage and enforce them. With pro contracts on the international market becoming a thing for 16 year olds they need to get their shit together on this because it's always going to be those kids that are harmed when anything goes wrong.

I don't think its that ambiguous. French clubs can't approach young Australian rugby players without Rugby Australia giving authorisation to do so.

It's the French clubs who are behaving inappropriately here

Rugby Australia have followed the regulations as written.

It's unfortunate for the player and his family, but this part is just wrong under WR (World Rugby) regulations. He has a current Union (Australia). If he wants to play under a new Union (France) there are processes that need to be followed.

This delay is what happens when you don't follow the process

 

[Strewthcobber]

Without the clearance, he can't be registered by France.

Which means.....

4.5.6 Only a Player who is currently Registered with a Union shall be able to participate in competitions organised, recognised or sanctioned by that Union