How the Saracens salary cap scandal could strengthen New Zealand rugby
By Patrick McKendry, NZ Herald
As Englishman Joe Marchant prepares to start for the Blues in their pre-season match against the Hurricanes today, New Zealand Rugby say they are open to more English players representing Kiwi sides in Super Rugby.
Marchant, a 23-year-old who played three tests for England last year, will start at centre at Onewa Domain in his side’s final pre-season game before next Friday’s competition opener against the Chiefs at Eden Park.
He is the second England test player to turn out for a New Zealand Super Rugby side following James Haskell’s season with the Highlanders in 2012, and, as the Saracens salary cap scandal continues to play out in the United Kingdom, is unlikely to be the last.
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In fact, New Zealand Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said it was possible more high-profile players could seek a change of scenery Downunder as the fallout continues.
“It will be interesting to see now that they’re relegated what happens with some of their key players – their high wage players, their England players, and how the rest of the competition reacts,” Lendrum told the Herald.
“It [salary cap scandal] is not a situation I would ever see happening here, but if some of them are interested in coming out here and playing Super Rugby… we’ve got Joe Marchant playing at the Blues this year from Harlequins, our partner.
“We’re massively excited about Joe and you never know – maybe not in a Lions year next year but if someone else wants to come out and try their hand at Super Rugby we’d be really open to it.
“In those situations players have to drive it. Joe drove his decision to come here, just like James Haskell did seven or eight years ago because they want to try a different style of rugby in a different environment.”
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The experience is a key factor; England’s test stars would never travel to New Zealand for the money but if Marchant enjoys his time here as much as Haskell did, a Downunder sabbatical may hold a little more appeal for those in Blighty. The garrulous Haskell later said in an interview that he was paid only $20,000 a year to play for the Highlanders, but quickly took to the southern lifestyle and years later said he still kept in touch with former coach Jamie Joseph.
The big difference between Marchant and Haskell is they came to New Zealand at opposite ends of their test careers. Marchant is said to have a big future at England and raised a few eyebrows back home with his move, while for Haskell it was a near final roll of the dice.
Marchant’s decision came at a good time for the Blues as they faced up to the loss of midfielders Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams, and the selection of Leon MacDonald’s midfield next week will be highly anticipated.
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It’s possible MacDonald may take a cautious approach and put Marchant on the reserves bench and start Rieko Ioane at centre, with TJ Faiane or Harry Plummer at second-five, as the Englishman adapts to his new surroundings and competition, but his pace and power may quickly be irresistible.
“It’s been a fast-paced pre-season – everything is done at top speed,” Marchant said after being named in the midfield alongside captain Faiane. “It helps having such perfect conditions to train in. I was on the phone with family back home and it’s -1 degC and I’m on my way to training in 25degC.”
Harbour’s All Black prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, who missed the World Cup squad and had surgery in the off-season, will also play the first half for the Blues.
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments