It appears the Brumbies have wasted no time in looking toward 2010 with the news that Clyde Rathbone has been released from the franchise. Effectively this is a decision that will more than likely end the 28 year-old’s Super rugby career.
It’s sad, as we never quite got to see the best of a player that had plenty of talent and courage.
In a statement, Brumbies coach, Andy Friend, said.
“We had a meeting with Clyde yesterday and just informed him that there wouldn’t be a contract offer for him next year,” he said.
“He was very professional about the whole thing and he’s looking forward to life without the Brumbies next year.”
Rathbone was made public enemy number one in South Efrica with his decision to move from Natal to the Brumbies in 2003 after captaining the Sth Efrican under 21 team to victory in the 2002 World Cup.
After making his debut for the Wallabies in 2004 against Scotland, Rathbone went on the next week to score an outstanding hat-trick of tries against the Poms in Brisbane after being called in as a late replacement for Wendell “White-line fever” Sailor.
Things got better for Rathbone a few weeks later when he sunk the Bokkies in Perth with a great try on the siren during the 2004 Tri-nations tournament.
That was about as good as it got for Rathbone who then endured a stop start career due to on-going long term injuries.
Rathbone played 52 Super rugby games and 26 Tests for the Wallabies…good luck for the future Clyde!
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="3192 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=3192">12 Comments
I saw an interview with Clyde (last year?) in which he seemed to be pretty philosophical about the whole thing. He talked about having businesses on the go already in preparation.
To be honest, I reckon the Brumbies had done more than their share for standing by him for so long.
Yes, it’s a pity we didn’t really see the best of him. I always had the feeling he was on the fringes, with the potential to become a regular for the Wallabies, but all those injuries sunk him. A bit like Jonny Wilkinson after the world cup.
Rod@British Lions tour’s last blog post..British Lions to play under ELVs
Yeah the brumbies can’t really be begrudged for having let him go now. Its been four or five years since he was at what was, regrettably, his “peak” and they’ve stood by him that whole time, so good on them. best of luck to the bloke.
On another note, the petition http://www.olympic-rugby.org/ is, fairly obviously, trying to get a bit more weight behind the 7s for the Olympics bid. Their aim is to get signatures in the millions and it seems to be building quite nicely — launched two days ago and its up to near 3000, which the website informs if the current rates hold then by the end of next week should be 10000 by early this week and well over 100000 by next week. signature requires email confirmation to make sure its legit
Good shout on the 7’s Cameron. The Aussie response so far is pretty ordinary!!
Have tweeted it and will stick a post up later this week
Mark McLinden to capt the 7’s maybe?
I always assumed he would be at the Force next season. Good luck to him, I think everyone knows how hard he is so it’s a shame he’s had to deal with so much. I still hope he can turn it around though, he was always more than a handful to defend and a tough defender.
Maybe he’d be a good buy for the Force, but even before his injuries he was a flat track bully: outstanding against lesser opposition, and too one dimensional for tests vs the AB’s or SA.
He liked the samoan sidestep too much, and overused it, usually leading to turnovers.
Always sad to see a guy washed up at 28 though.
Really bad news for the Reds this morning with MMM departing for greener pastures and Diggers probably on his way as well. Can’t believe the money they were offering Diggers – he’s the best winger in Australia and has only touched on his potential. Looks like its going to be another bleak year for the Reds and will certainly have a negative impact on the Wallabies. Seems to me that the ARU could do a little bit more, notwithstanding the GFC…..? All well and good O’Neill basking in glory over the Super 15 deal, which will inflate his ego even more, but retaining players of Digger’s calibre is a priority and looks like we’ve been let down again?
hardly
the bottom line is we don’t have that kind of money. but expanding the super 15 will help
also I’d be surprised if rath goes anywhere. he has kick arse business in can.lots of gove contracts. makes loads of money out of it.
$190 000 a season an insult to diggers? im disappointed. do these guys even want to play rugby for australia at all??
I’ll second that James. I’d be very suprised if Rath turns up in another Australian province. He’s settled in Canberra and his business is ticking along nicely. I’d be more inclined to think he might do a short stint in Japan.. It’s a shame, but understandable, the Brumbies can’t accommodate Clyde any longer.. In my books he’s still a a great player and offers a lot of skill & experience. Clyde is a great bloke and, I’m sure when I say that I’m grateful for everything he has contributed to Australian Rugby, I speak on behalf of all Brumby and (most) Wallaby supporters. All the critics should go to you tube and search for Mark Gerrard’s wallaby try against the Poms. Good on you Rhino Rathbone. The memories of you and Gerrardo on each wing, taking the Super 12 title, at the Brumbies will live long in the memory bank.