Reports: Japanese clubs eye up Wallabies and Brumbies stars
The Wallabies and Brumbies could be set for a double-whammy of player departures following reports of interest in two of their key men from Japanese clubs.
The two players in question are experienced halfback Nic White and promising first-five Noah Lolesio, both of whom are reported to be in the sights of teams from Japan’s League One competition.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, White has been offered a seven-figure sum by a Japanese team that is looking to acquire 31-year-old ahead of next year’s campaign.
Should White take the reported offer, he would jeopardise his place in the Wallabies squad at next year’s World Cup in France following adjustments made by Rugby Australia [RA] to its eligibility rules for offshore-based players.
Wallabies boss Dave Rennie can now only pick three overseas-based players – who have played at least 30 tests and played domestically in Australia for a minimum of five years – in each squad he selects per tournament, series or tour.
As such, White would compete with the likes of Kintetsu Liners first-five Quade Cooper, Suntory Sungoliath midfielder Samu Kerevi and Panasonic Wild Knights wing Marika Koroibete for one of three allocated places in the Wallabies set-up.
Lured back to Australia from English Premiership club Exeter Chiefs by former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika ahead of the 2019 World Cup, White has featured prominently for the Wallabies since his homecoming.
A veteran of 47 tests, White has partaken in 25 of the 30 matches the Wallabies have played since his return from England.
Of those 25 tests, he started in 19 matches and featured in every one of Australia’s games at the 2019 World Cup, and is currently part of the national team’s leadership group.
White has also been crucial in the recent success of the Brumbies, playing a key role in their 2020 Super Rugby AU title, as well as their run to last year’s Super Rugby AU final and their win over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Since returning to the Canberra-based franchise, White has formed a crucial halves partnership with Lolesio, who is also the subject of speculation about interest from Japanese clubs.
Fox Sports reports that Lolesio, the 22-year-old who has played 11 tests for the Wallabies since his breakout season two years ago, is weighing up an offer to ply his trade in Japan in a deal that is reportedly worth far more than what he earns in Australia.
Lolesio is part of a young nucleus of Wallabies players who are considered to be the future of Australian rugby, but he currently finds himself behind Cooper and James O’Connor in the national pecking order at first-five.
Cooper and O’Connor are the leading candidates to don the No 10 jersey for Australia at next year’s World Cup, and their participation in last year’s end-of-year tour at the expense of Lolesio’s inclusion is reflective of their standings in Rennie’s book.
Unlike White, Lolesio wouldn’t be eligible for Wallabies selection should he decide to move to Japan given he doesn’t meet the 30-test, five-year domestic service threshold required of foreign-based Australian players.
While the Wallabies have enough depth to adequately replace White or Lolesio should they leave for Japan, the Brumbies don’t have such luxury.
In players like Cooper, O’Connor, Matt To’omua, Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon, the Wallabies have other options available to them who could slot in and fill the void left by White and Lolesio appropriately.
The same, however, can’t be said of the Brumbies, who are also facing the loss of star fullback Tom Banks, who has reportedly been offered a two-year deal in Japan worth A$2.8 million.
Both White and Lolesio have been named to start by Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar for Sunday’s Super Round clash against the Highlanders in Melbourne, while Banks continues to recover from a facial fracture.
Comments on RugbyPass
Blackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 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.
9 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.
2 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.
2 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
9 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.
9 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
9 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.
9 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
9 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.
9 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 commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
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