Players will leave English rugby over clubs versus agents row - Andy Goode
Just when you think we can concentrate on the positive action on the pitch, scandal and acrimony off the pitch always seem to rear their head in rugby and the latest row between Premiership clubs and agents needs resolving as soon as possible for the good of the game.
From conversations around laws and concussion lawsuits to salary cap scandals and salary cuts, the sport hasn’t covered itself in glory in recent years and hopefully mediation next week can avoid the wrangling between agents and clubs in the English top flight being added to that list.
The clubs are claiming that there is a conflict of interest in the current system where they pay agents’ fees, with the players having 50% of them put on their P11D as a benefit in kind, and are proposing that there should be a prohibition on the payment of agents’ fees by clubs.
The agents say clubs are using a HMRC ruling in football, which isn’t particularly relevant as transfer fees are barely ever involved in rugby, to sideline them and that it will lead to a well-regulated industry becoming like the wild west.
In addition to it all feeling a lot less above board, rugby players aren’t notorious for their admin skills and there could be a rise in examples of agents not being paid and cases going to the small claims court.
You can see the thinking behind both arguments and the reality, as so often is the case, is somewhere in the middle so both parties are going to have to give some ground when they come to the table.
Perhaps you can see why some club owners would be frustrated by paying agents significant fees for simply extending a player’s contract, as opposed to a deal between two clubs, but that doesn’t mean agents don’t play a valuable role.
Plus, if players are going to have to start paying all of their agents’ fees instead of just half, then the clubs will surely have to pay players more to account for this.
Clubs have been hit hard by the pandemic and this would wipe somewhere in the region of £6 million off their books collectively but you could certainly make the case that they aren’t going about it in the right manner.
They also need to be careful not to anger their players, many of whom have excellent relationships with their agents. The clubs do effectively own the players for the duration of their contract but that is only temporary and it’s certainly not in their interests to rub them up the wrong way by treating them too much like a commodity.
It isn’t the first time clubs have tried to cut agents out either, with Saracens reportedly preferring to deal directly with players a long time ago, and there is a reason why they exist.
My agent, Duncan Sandlant, was the one person in my career who I’d have trusted my life with and finding someone in rugby who you can trust implicitly is not an easy task at all.
I knew he’d always have my best interests at heart but not all agents are so trustworthy and I also experienced another agent trying to push me towards a club because he owed them a favour when it didn’t suit me at all.
So not all agents are equal and they certainly aren’t all on the same page when it comes to this dispute either.
The Association of Rugby Agents chairman Mark Spoors is on the opposite side to the clubs and it’s fair to say he doesn’t enjoy the universal support and respect of all of his fellow agents.
There’s no doubt that both sides are going to have to make concessions and meet in the middle so hopefully common sense will prevail to avoid this issue dragging on for even longer.
In the meantime, it is the players who are pawns in all this and the Premiership is suffering as well as them. No business is being done at the moment and perhaps Duane Vermeulen would have been plying his trade in England rather than Northern Ireland had this row not been going on.
If all is resolved in mediation next week, people will forget about this very quickly but if it’s allowed to drag on, Premiership clubs will miss out on more of the world’s top stars and players will begin to leave the league in greater numbers. Here’s hoping both parties see the need for a speedy resolution.
"I have dealt with agents on numerous occasions and said…"
– Exeter boss Rob Baxter has given his take on the latest standoff in Premiership rugby #GallagherPrem #Chiefs #EXEvWORhttps://t.co/abZYOz65Mn
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
4 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,
11 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.
11 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.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
4 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 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.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments