Clash of the codes: a new future for young rugby stars
On Friday NZ Rugby and the New Zealand Warriors came to a surprisingly amicable agreement on the release of Etene Nanai-Seturo from league. The consequences for young players are far-reaching, writes James McOnie.
Watch some highlights of Etene Nanai-Seturo and it’s clear — he’s a slippery customer. Turns out he’s a slippery employee as well.
Like a flailing defender, the New Zealand Warriors couldn’t hang on to him, and on Friday Nanai-Seturo was set free — free to pursue a career in rugby.
The resolution was made via mediation between the Warriors and NZ Rugby.
But the shockwaves of that decision will be felt far and wide across rugby and rugby league. For Under-18 stars who’ve been convinced to sign a contract by a smooth-talking scout or agent, it shows there’s a way out. It’s not quite a precedent (it never went to court) — but it will act as a guide and an example for young players and their parents.
Contracts signed by a minor aren’t binding in New Zealand and that was NZ Rugby’s argument as they grabbed Nanai-Seturo from the Warriors and threw him straight into the All Blacks Sevens team in January.
With that selection, the soap opera began. Warriors CEO Cameron George labeled NZ Rugby “disrespectful” and vowed to fight them. “We are not going to get pushed around by anyone, especially in this kind of situation.”
He was fired up. NZ Rugby’s Neil Sorensen responded: “We are definitely not walking all over anybody.”
All the while Nanai-Seturo (a star fullback for Auckland’s St Kentigern College First XV as recently as last year) went on to play his second Sevens World Series tournament for New Zealand, in Hamilton.
Then the warring parties went into mediation. At this stage I like to imagine a trained counsellor in a cardigan and sandals letting each person speak freely by using “I” language. “I feel… disrespected… [reaches for tissues] when you… take one of our players without asking nicely.” That kind of thing.
At 4.30pm on Friday afternoon a press release from NZ Rugby was emailed out, saying Nanai-Seturo had left the Warriors. Oh dear. Surely George would be fuming. Here’s what the release said:
Warriors CEO Cameron George welcomed the agreement and said he was looking forward to continuing to have a productive relationship with New Zealand Rugby. “We need to work together when faced with these situations and it is not in either of our interests for these matters to be aired in public,” he said. “The Vodafone Warriors wish Etene well with his career.”
Ummm OK. This doesn’t help the soap opera script at all but the mediator will be so proud of the progress Cameron has made.
While the terms of the agreement are confidential, it’s understood the NRL club was paid a fee to ensure the code switch. Nanai-Seturo, 18, will hope to make the Commonwealth Games sevens team and play Super Rugby with the Chiefs.
The Nanai-Seturo case will be quoted for years to come and it could open the floodgates for teenagers to switch codes either way. Some at NZ Rugby wanted to go to court, to test the law and set a precedent.
So what will change?
Well, you will still find agents and scouts from both codes at school rugby and league fields every Saturday. They will still do their best Jerry Maguire impression, charming the pants off the parents and convincing them that their club/agency will look after their boy. And some scouts will still aggressively target families that could really use money.
While these scouts pat themselves on the back for discovering a player, what needs to be said is everyone watching the game can see the player’s potential as well. It’s obvious. The coaches know, the other parents know, the school kids know. These athletes are supremely talented — they’re on the conveyor belt to stardom — so when a scout decides to throw some money at them, they’re merely formalising what everyone else sees.
The issue is the age that players are being signed. Some at just 14 or 15 years old. Nanai-Seturo was 15.
It’s said that NRL scouts like to get in early. When the Crusaders approached towering forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona when he was in the Wellington College first XV, he had already been contracted to the Melbourne Storm for two years. And it’s worked out for him.
Some switches happen without too much drama. Ngani Laumape was snapped up by the Warriors as a youngster but returned to rugby union. Nehe Milner-Skudder was with the Sydney Bulldogs under-20s in 2009/10 but came back to star in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Now, the Nanai-Seturo saga serves as a warning and a template to any parents of young footy stars. Their child’s ambitions at 15 and at 18 may vary. And the law is there to protect them.
So if an agent dazzles you with the promise of riches, just remember that’s what they always do. These people are experienced deal-makers and their spiel is well-rehearsed.
Your next move should be to get independent legal advice. Someone in your family might have a contact. The NZ Law Society and Auckland District Law Society websites will help you find a lawyer — on the latter you can search under ‘sports lawyer’ and it reveals 124 in Auckland alone, and 100 outside of Auckland.
If you can’t afford legal advice, contact the school principal. More often than not, your child has been approached while representing that school. It’s the school’s problem too. Or contact your nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau — they offer free legal advice.
I’m sorry this column has ended up as instructional. But if you’re a child star or the parents of one, you know what to do: Lawyer up!
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry 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.
2 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.
3 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
3 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 comments