Cap conversation is important but radical changes aren't necessary - Andy Goode
Rob Baxter said this week that there should be an open discussion about the salary cap and I agree with him but radical changes are not necessary.
He mentioned the possibility of introducing an American football-style draft to the Premiership but I don’t think that’s a solution to the problem. It’s also an interesting suggestion from Baxter because it would surely have negatively affected Exeter with all the top talent they’ve brought through.
Clubs are already compensated for bringing youngsters through their academies and developing them into international stars but perhaps more could be done, with a significant percentage of those players’ salaries not counting against the cap.
I don’t think big changes should be made just because Saracens have been found guilty of breaching it. They’ve done wrong and an example has been made of them but the salary cap is there for a reason.
It’s not there to clip clubs’ wings or prevent them from growing and improving. It’s there to make sure they’re all still around in 10 years’ time, as well as ensuring a level playing field as much as possible.
Nobody wants to see any of the current Premiership clubs falling by the wayside in the manner that the likes of Coventry and Richmond did in the early years of professionalism.
That is a serious possibility if some clubs are allowed to spend more and others feel they have to match them and spend beyond their means. The game is already beholden to a very small group of wealthy owners and it all goes to pot if they pull out.
Clubs all signed up to the terms of the salary cap as they are and also agreed not to publish the full details if anything were to happen, so there is quite a lot of anger out there at the moment among the other clubs and you can see why.
The league isn’t going to be ring-fenced for next season from what I hear because that would have to have been agreed prior to the start of the season but the talk of it happening continues and a draft would be going in that direction even more.
A similar thing already happens to a certain extent in New Zealand, for example, with players moving around to different franchises depending on their needs so the only way of making something like that happen would be to centrally contract players I think.
I don’t think that would be right in this case and I’m all for players earning as much money as they can but wages have been driven up enormously in the past five years or so.
Semi Radradra must be commanding a decent salary at Bristol next season and he’ll be a marquee player but it’s not right that Pat Lam has had to answer questions on how the Bears are managing to stay within the cap this week.
That’s a product of what has happened and some have suggested publishing all the players’ salaries. I wouldn’t have liked that to be the case when I was playing, though, and I wouldn’t like it in my day job now either!
I think players should have the right for those details to remain private. This scandal hasn’t been of their making either, it’s happened because of the actions of those above them.
For me, there is no need for radical changes such as a draft or publishing players’ salaries. The solution is simple. Just monitor the clubs more closely and more regularly as well.
PRL have got it wrong just auditing them at the end of the season. It should be at least twice yearly and really more regular than that with a continual dialogue taking place between PRL and the clubs.
If that means it costs the league more money, with 12 salary cap officers in place and one looking after each team and constantly keeping track of what they’ve done and what they intend to do, so be it.
We’re in unprecedented waters but increasing the salary cap or removing it isn’t the answer, that would be financially irresponsible, and gimmicks or radical solutions aren’t necessary either.
The cap is there for a reason. It will evolve, of course, but it’s there to ensure the sustainability of the clubs and the game. Saracens have been found guilty and an example has been made of them. Now, what’s needed is closer monitoring.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to comments