Wallabies 2023

[qwerty51]

If Tate isn't on some amount of Rugby AU top-up I'll eat my hat

I think you will be eating.

Coaches would have a big impact on top-ups and Rennie never thought Tate was a surety in the 23 and Eddie hasn't picked him as his top 2 9s.

I can't imagine any player deemed 3rd in their position is on a top-up.

 

[SouthernX]

I think you will be eating.

Coaches would have a big impact on top-ups and Rennie never thought Tate was a surety in the 23 and Eddie hasn't picked him as his top 2 9s.

I can't imagine any player deemed 3rd in their position is on a top-up.

my logic about top ups is if the wallabies account is tweeting out the extension - then there’s a Rugby Australia contribution

 

[qwerty51]

I think that's naive. They tweet every capped player's signing.

I doubt Wilson is on one too.

 

[Wilson]

I think that's naive. They tweet every capped player's signing.

The language used in articles is significantly different for top up vs none.

For Tate:

McDermott inks long-term extension with Reds, Australian Rugby

For Blyth/Uru (capped):

Angus Blyth and Seru Uru have re-signed with the Queensland Reds, bolstering the Queensland forward pack through 2025

I'd imagine it's a sliding scale over the course of the contract, but given the length of it it's incredibly naive to think he wouldn't be getting a top up.

 

[PhilClinton]

This is definitely an area of confusion that RA could easily clear up with some wording on the re-signings.

The fans shouldn't be arguing about who they 'think' has a top up and who doesn't.

It's not like the top Wallaby top-up concept is a secret, all the players themselves know who is given top ups and who isn't.

Don't see why the Wallabies marketing department can't clarify that if a player has 'signed a contract with (state based franchise) and the Wallabies' it means they have a top up. But change the language to say something like 'Rugby Australia is thrilled that (player) has re-signed with (state based team)' and not mention anything about a Wallabies contract.

EDIT: Per Wilson's post above I think they're trying to use that wording, but it's not really clear because too many people have opinions about who should and shouldn't get a top up.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Cricket Australia does it.

I know they don't have competition with players in regard to First Class cricket threatening to move overseas.

 

[qwerty51]

You could be right but Uru and Blyth aren't capped but anyway then I'm curious what the number of top-ups are. To include Wilson and McDermott would mean 30+

 

[SouthernX]

It would be nice if Rugby Australia had a super rugby “salary cap” in terms of top up.

it’s disgraceful how it always seems that the money flows to the warratah players… now I know there’s argument you pay your best players no matter where they are - but it could be a idea worth considering so that some Tahs players have to consider a place like the force or the rebels because NSW has overspent their RA top up money

 

[John S]

Cricket Australia does it.

I know they don't have competition with players in regard to First Class cricket threatening to move overseas.

That's because the cricket seasons are more in line. It's a lot easier for say Steve Smith to go and play county cricket in our winter, then Sheffield Shield in Summer (in between tests of course).

 

[LeCheese]

You could be right but Uru and Blyth aren't capped but anyway then I'm curious what the number of top-ups are. To include Wilson and McDermott would mean 30+

It's probably the case that many of the top-ups aren't huge money, and are sweeteners more than anything.

 

[John S]

It would be nice if Rugby Australia had a super rugby “salary cap” in terms of top up.

it’s disgraceful how it always seems that the money flows to the warratah players…

Yeah, it "seems" probably isn't in actuality

 

[qwerty51]

It would be nice if Rugby Australia had a super rugby “salary cap” in terms of top up.

it’s disgraceful how it always seems that the money flows to the warratah players… now I know there’s argument you pay your best players no matter where they are - but it could be a idea worth considering so that some Tahs players have to consider a place like the force or the rebels because NSW has overspent their Rugby Australia top up money

Get Reece Walsh keen on joining the Reds and they might.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Regardless of a top up I would sign until 2027 given the calendars if I was Tate. As a starting Super player that is already capped he's never more than 2 injuries away from the Wallabies realistically.

I'm not seeing anything to suggest that there is a top up and I do worry for him that he doesn't fit the Jones mold of a 9.

 

[Wilson]

Regardless of a top up I would sign until 2027 given the calendars if I was Tate. As a starting Super player that is already capped he's never more than 2 injuries away from the Wallabies realistically.

I'm not seeing anything to suggest that there is a top up and I do worry for him that he doesn't fit the Jones mold of a 9.

At this stage there will likely be no other current wallaby halfbacks available by 2027 with White and Gordon likely having moved on/retired. Lonergan is emerging but is still entirely unproven at test level. There's no reason for Tate to sign beyond 2025 if there isn't a top up component to his contract, he would only be limiting his earnings and giving up the opportunity to be in a prime negotiation position in 2 years time.

 

[PhilClinton]

It's probably the case that many of the top-ups aren't huge money, and are sweeteners more than anything.

Agreed, a top up could simply be an extra $50k a season, that's probably enough to keep someone happy if they're on decent coin at their club.

 

[Sword of Justice]

There's no reason for Tate to sign beyond 2025 if there isn't a top up component to his contract, he would only be limiting his earnings and giving up the opportunity to be in a prime negotiation position in 2 years time.

That is a good point, there is a sabbatical as part of his deal though that may have required the 4 year commitment.

 

[LeCheese]

That is a good point, there is a sabbatical as part of his deal though that may have required the 4 year commitment.

Is there? Where did you read that? I haven't seen mention of it in any of the coverage

 

[Wilson]

That is a good point, there is a sabbatical as part of his deal though that may have required the 4 year commitment.

Yeah, but I believe sabbaticals are only offered to players on top ups - there is a seperate contract (Liam Wright is on it) that allows players not required by the wallabies to take other contracts in the off season.

 

[Wilson]

Is there? Where did you read that? I haven't seen mention of it in any of the coverage

I think it's mentioned in the channel 9 piece

 

[LeCheese]

I think it's mentioned in the channel 9 piece

Assuming he'd take it either next year or in '26, that makes Kalani's rumoured desire to go elsewhere interesting.