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'Players will go in their droves': Dave Rennie shuts down quick fix for Australian exodus
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is adamant that opening up national selection to include overseas players is not the way forward for the embattled country.
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Australia, like New Zealand and South Africa, has struggled in recent times to stop its best talent from head off-shore.
In the past year, the likes of recent Wallabies Matt Philip, Luke Jones, Izack Rodda, Henry Speight, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons and Kurtley Beale have left Australia to link up with foreign teams. Some of those players will be back in due course but many have been lost to Australia forever.
In order for a player to be eligible for Wallabies selection, the general rule is they must be signed to an Australian Super Rugby team – though Rennie is allowed to pick up to two foreign-based players who have fewer than 60 tests to their name, and any number of foreign-based players who exceed that number of caps.
The former Chiefs coach is intent on selecting local players, however, and has concerns that loosening up the Wallabies eligibility criteria could lead to a “mass exodus” of players, as has been the case in South Africa.
“It’s the dangers of doing that and the effect it’ll have on our local game,” Rennie said earlier this week. “I honestly believe if we open the gates … that will have an effect on our game here on Super Rugby teams.
“It’s what happened in South Africa. They had a mass exodus of their top players. If we open the gates and pick wholesale then the lure of the Yen and the Euro [is huge] and the difference in money is phenomenal.
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“Players will go in their droves because they can get three times the amount of money. It’d be difficult to keep people here.”
At the 2015 World Cup, 10 of the Springboks’ 32-man squad played for teams other than South Africa’s six Super Rugby teams.
Of the current 45-man training squad named in preparation for the upcoming British and Irish Lions series, a whopping 22 players are based outside of South Africa – a fate that could befall Australia if they follow the same pathway.
Australia's quest to host the 2027 World Cup has come under threat following news that the United States has been accepted as a bid candidate.https://t.co/1VSujLpeJk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 11, 2021
While Australia’s five Super Rugby teams have enjoyed a torrid time during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, recording just two wins so far this year from 22 matches, there’s enough talent scattered throughout the sides to suggest that Rennie can still put together a top-level squad that can compete with the likes of the All Blacks, Springboks and Les Bleus – teams that the Wallabies will clash with multiple times throughout the 2021 test season.
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On Sunday afternoon, Rennie will name his 38-man to take on the French in their upcoming tour of Australia and the Wallabies coach suggested that the vast majority of the team had already been settled on ahead of this weekend’s final round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
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