Lions Tour 2025

[Dan54]

As someone suggested to me, we need to shh, it could well be take your kid to work week!

 

[Dan54]

Probably other reason he has named Owen to come to Aus, imagine the meltdown if named Blair Murray who is somewhat similar in that he plays in back 3?

 

[Adam84]

Just a thought… but during the B&I Lions series I think it would have been good to see the Wallabies play one or two of the Super Rugby teams as well rather then just sitting in camp. Some Super Rugby teams last played 5 weeks ago.

Wouldn’t be as much interest as B&I Matches vs Super Rugby but you could have played them at stadiums like Ballymore or Leichhardt,

 

[PhilClinton]

ESPN article today implying that JOC (James O'Connor) and Foley exclusion from the AUNZ team is due to both insurance reasons and also to give Edmed and HMP a chance to impress for the Lions squad with some question marks around Lolesio.

We are utterly fucked if either of those guys seem like a good option to play against the Lions (well really we are fucked if any of the 4 names are selected).

 

[Alex Sharpe]

This 'Insurance' issue seems to be new, and if it is preventing blokes from achieving a career highlight of playing the Lions, then it sucks.

 

[Crashy]

ESPN article today implying that JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Foley exclusion from the AUNZ team is due to both insurance reasons and also to give Edmed and HMP a chance to impress for the Lions squad with some question marks around Lolesio.

We are utterly fucked if either of those guys seem like a good option to play against the Lions (well really we are fucked if any of the 4 names are selected).

Foley said he spoke with RA about playing and that 'it wasnt to be'. Maybe the players get their own insurance or something? dunno how to solve this one except if RA parlay's off the cost of the insurance somehow.

 

[KOB1987]

I read somewhere that the insurance cost for Kerevi was something in the order of $100k. I’m guessing their jap insurance only cover them for their jap games (understandably) and that the clause says something like the home nation has to pay out their contract if they get injured in the test window. I can understand why RA wouldn’t want to fork out that sort of money for a player who isn’t really in discussions for the test side. Just speculating, but it must be something along these lines.

 

[PhilClinton]

I read somewhere that the insurance cost for Kerevi was something in the order of $100k.

Most articles have it being 5 digits, so it could be anywhere from $10k - 99k, you'd think it would have to be on that higher end for RA not to want to dish out the cash.

 

[PhilClinton]

Foley said he spoke with RA about playing and that 'it wasnt to be'. Maybe the players get their own insurance or something? dunno how to solve this one except if RA parlay's off the cost of the insurance somehow.

Their clubs wouldn't care where the money comes from, either RA or the player, but realistically why would a player want to cover their own insurance and likely not back that money back on their match fee.

 

[fatprop]

Don't you love the standard test ref focus they pull out of their arse, this year it is blockers in the lineout

And as usual, I expect the "focus" to last about a 2 weeks

 

[PhilClinton]

Agree, but it has been refreshing to see some actual infringements being called during the lineout.

By the end of SRP (Super Rugby Pacific), every lineout was basically a free for all with the attacking team being able to throw the ball in however they wanted (regardless if contested or not) and some questionable maul tactics.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Foley said he spoke with RA about playing and that 'it wasnt to be'. Maybe the players get their own insurance or something? dunno how to solve this one except if RA parlay's off the cost of the insurance somehow.

WR (World Rugby) Regulation 23 covers this

RA have to pay for coverage the player's insurance when they are on international duty.

This invitational game isn't covered by that, so RA would have to pay the "Primary Employer", which is theirJapanese club to arrange to extend the coverage to include this game.

I'd imagine the Japanese club doesn't want to do that, and sets their fee accordingly

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

ESPN article today implying that JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and Foley exclusion from the AUNZ team is due to both insurance reasons and also to give Edmed and HMP a chance to impress for the Lions squad with some question marks around Lolesio.

We are utterly fucked if either of those guys seem like a good option to play against the Lions (well really we are fucked if any of the 4 names are selected).

I like the kid and hope he has a bright future but if the Wallabies have HMP right now for them we are so beyond fucked it's absurd. I'd be more inclined to throw Wright in the 10 jersey if we were that bare.

 

[Crashy]

I guess this is another thing to consider when you play overseas. You get good good coin for div 2 in japan ( good on them) but you really disappear as a rugby player when you can't get picked for Baa Baas or special rep teams like AU/NZ.

 

[Major Tom]

I like the kid and hope he has a bright future but if the Wallabies have HMP right now for them we are so beyond fucked it's absurd. I'd be more inclined to throw Wright in the 10 jersey if we were that bare.

I’d say its more about getting as much game time into the kid in prep for 2027. Anyways the pecking order goes Noah, donno, lynagh and then edmed. Unless we get very unlucky with injuries I doubt we’re gonna be calling in JOC (James O'Connor) or nard.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I guess this is another thing to consider when you play overseas. You get good good coin for div 2 in japan ( good on them) but you really disappear as a rugby player when you can't get picked for Baa Baas or special rep teams like AU/NZ.

I reckon he didn't even contemplate the chance 12 months ago. He's been brought back in at other times from overseas.

It's more of an indictment on the current depth at 10 that we throw out the names of an overseas based 35 year old

 

[Strewthcobber]

How come Sam Cane can play for the Barbarians last week?

 

[Dan54]

How come Sam Cane can play for the Barbarians last week?

Baabaas obviously paid the required money, for insurance etc. I assume the same for any players, and the AusNZ team may not have as much coin.

 

[Dctarget]

Baabaas obviously paid the required money, for insurance etc. I assume the same for any players, and the AusNZ team may not have as much coin.

Which is silly because the AUNZ will bring in so much more money than South Africa v Barbarians.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kerevi's D-Rocks are playing silly buggers and named a prohibitive price.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

WR (World Rugby) (World Rugby) Regulation 23 covers this

RA have to pay for coverage the player's insurance when they are on international duty.

This invitational game isn't covered by that, so RA would have to pay the "Primary Employer", which is theirJapanese club to arrange to extend the coverage to include this game.

I'd imagine the Japanese club doesn't want to do that, and sets their fee accordingly

Ok so if Joe Schmidt decides he wants Kerevi to feature in the Wallabies tests then that won't be an issue? It is only this one game. That is good to know and probably why Kerevi is still hanging around (I think). It would only take an injury to Ikitau or JAS for Kerevi to sudden become very much needed.