A Wallabies' abroad XV as the 'Giteau Law' faces axe
Following their record drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks in Bledisloe II, reports this weekend suggest that the Giteau Law is set to be scrapped by Rugby Australia.
“We do need to look into eligibility,” Chief Executive Andy Marinos told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m not saying it’s going to be alpha and omega. But it will certainly bring a lot more experience and a lot more depth across the board.
Brought after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the law stated that to represent Australia while overseas a player had to have a minimum of 60 Test caps for Australia accrued and a minimum of seven seasons of Super Rugby under their belt.
The law looks likely to get the chop, with critics arguing that it is holding back the Wallabies from selecting their best players at Test level.
Others fear that scrapping the law completely would see the flood gates open for Australia’s best players to look for lucrative contracts abroad that can’t be matched by Australian Super Rugby sides, further weakening Australia’s domestic competition.
We take a look at the Australian talent currently plying their trade outside of Australia. We have not included the likes of Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu and Kurtley Beale who qualify under the current structure of the Giteau Law.
A WALLABIES ABROAD XV
15. CAM CLARK
Age: 28
Caps: 0
Current club: San Diego
A super fast back three player, Cam Clark left the Waratahs to head out the US with the MLR in 2020, although thanks to the pandemic he didn’t play a game until 2021.
14. TAQELE NAIYARAVORO
Age: 29
Caps: 2
Current club: Northampton Saints
The giant league convert has found his best form in Europe, with Glasgow Warriors and latterly Northampton Saints.
13. TOM ENGLISH
Age: 28
Caps: 0
Current club: Kurita Water Gush
Can count himself unlucky not to have earned a cap as yet, having been involved with previous Wallabies camps. Fleet-footed and strong, he was tempted by a deal in Japan.
12. CURTIS RONA
Age: 29
Caps: 3
Current club: London Irish
The sizeable league convert has proved to be a force for the Gallagher Premiership in the centre where he normally plays, but he’s equally comfortable on the wing.
11. SEFA NAIVALU
Age: 29
Caps: 9
Current club: Stade Francais
A big loss to the national programme, ‘Super Sefa’ Naivalu took up a lucrative deal with Stade Francais in 2019.
10. QUADE COOPER
Age: 33
Caps: 75
Current club: Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Showed what he could do for the Wallabies this year, steering the Dave Rennie’s men to back to back wins over the Springboks.
9. BEN MEEHAN
Age: 28
Caps: 0
Current team: Gloucester
Uncapped by the Wallabies, the former U20s star has moved to the UK in 2017 with London Irish, before signing with the Cherry and Whites ahead of 2021/22.
8. SEAN MCMAHON
Age: 27
Caps: 26
Current team: Suntory Sun Goliath
Arguably one of the biggest losses to Aussie rugby, the hard carrying McMahon has been in Japan since 2017.
7. LIAM GILL
Age: 29
Caps: 15
Current team: Shining Arcs
An all court back row, Gill is also playing his rugby in Japan after a spell in France with Toulon and Lyon.
6. NED HANIGAN
Age: 26
Caps: 21
Current team: Kurita Water Gush
Set to return to the Waratahs in 2022 and will be in the mix for Wallabies selection.
5. WILL SKELTON
Age: 29
Caps: 18
Current team: La Rochelle
On a huge contract in La Rochelle, there’s no sign of the giant Skelton returning to Australia just yet, though he has spoken about his desire to represent the national team again.
4. RORY ARNOLD
Age: 31
Caps: 22
Current team: Toulouse
One of two of the Arnold twins at Toulouse, the tallest Wallaby of all time is currently plying his trade with the giants of European rugby in the Top 14.
3. JERMAINE AINSLEY
Age: 26
Caps: 3
Current team: Highlanders
Capped three times by Australia, the 5’11, 122kg tighthead left the Melbourne Rebels to move across the ditch to New Zealand.
'The problem is that the system to wrong here and when we went professional that was the start of it all.'@Davidcampese11 talks to @chrisjonespress ??? #BledisloeCup #RugbyChampionship #giteaulawhttps://t.co/UB9FISfcRz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2021
2. TOLU LATU
Age: 28
Caps: 15
Current team: Stade Francais
The powerful front-rower left for France after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
1. LES MAKIN
Age: 29
Caps: 0
Current club: Kurita Water Gush
Made over 50 appearances for the Brumbies before up sticks for Japan in 2020. One of the few Australian looseheads operating abroad.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Sam Carter – Ulster
Kane Douglas – Bordeaux Begles
Richie Arnold – Toulouse
Luke Morahan – Bristol Bears
Oli Hoskins – London Irish
Adam Coleman – London Irish
Luke Jones – Racing 92
Isaac Lukas – Ricoh Black Rams
Dave Dennis – LA Giltinis
Lopeti Tomani – La Rochelle
Henry Speight – Biarritz
Paddy Ryan – San Diego Legion
Joe Tomane – Ricoh Black Rams
Guy Millar – Biarritz
Pek Cowan – Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks
Sam Greene – Yamaha Júbilo
Mack Mason – Austin Gilgronis
Jack Debreczeni – Hino Red Dolphins
Ben Tapuai – Sharks
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments