Rob Kearney the latest victim of an IRFU 'lowball'
Strange how it has all turned out. Some years ago, when volunteer officials were running the IRFU’s player contracts committee, there was frequent disgruntlement from Ireland’s leading players that negotiations often used to push into the Six Nations campaign.
They wanted rid of the amateurs running the professional game and they got their wish with David Nucifora’s appointment as high performance chief in 2014. The irony now, though, is that on the Australian’s watch, the delays in reaching agreements are in some instances are now unprecedented.
Driving hard bargains and securing best value for money has always been at the heart of Nucifora’s brief. However, this season’s protracted negotiations suggest the IRFU are ready to push it to the limit with whoever comes before them at the contract table.
Just look at the nine central contract deals that were up for re-negotiation this season. While extensions were quickly reached with Conor Murray (2022), Robbie Henshaw (2022), Keith Earls (2021) and Johnny Sexton (2021), stars with plenty of glitter left in them, the fortunes of the other five big names have been curiously mixed to say the least.
It was RugbyPass who revealed in early February that Sean O’Brien was quitting for London Irish after failing to agree terms with Nucifora. The pay cut they were offering was far to much for him to accept.
The eight players left on Irish Rugby's 'central contract' hit list and how the IRFU plan to pay for them https://t.co/Pyx9ncjd5S
— liam heagney (@heagneyl) October 21, 2018
Then came the Jack McGrath situation, RugbyPass confirming in the run-up to the Leinster-Ulster European quarter-final that he will be trading Dublin for Belfast from next season. That was a very strange twist as IRFU centrally contracted players never usually switch provinces.
Next, Rory Best was won around to the decision in April that it would be best for him to retire after this year’s World Cup, a development that left two remaining big situations to be resolved.
It was Tuesday when the IRFU finally confirmed that they are keeping Cian Healy on their books until 2021, but their hardball tactics aren’t yet complete as Rob Kearney’s future is still in limbo amid speculation he will be forced to leave for a Top 14 club post-World Cup.
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With Joe Schmidt moving on from the national team after Japan, it appears the status of a player who featured in just four of Ireland’s nine matches this season is in a serious state of flux that is also reflected at Leinster where there have been big games he has not been selected to start.
It was O’Brien who let slip in a social media message some weeks ago that France was Kearney’s likely destination and the veteran’s inability to win the IRFU around to what he believes is his market value was further highlighted by his name being missing from Leinster’s lengthy midweek list of contract renewals for next season.
Leinster confirm 21 contracts… but no update issued on Rob Kearney's situation https://t.co/Cjhyyk9ITL
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 21, 2019
Kearney is believed to be dissatisfied with what is on the table in Ireland and the ongoing delay in striking terms demonstrates the power that Nuicfora is wielding with the IRFU purse. Their approach increasingly with the veterans is to pitch an initial offer low, stir things up and see what happens.
Its consequence is that a deal is still to be struck in late May with a loyal servant of the Irish game. That’s a situation no one believed would be case when the amateur committee men were sidelined all those years ago.
WATCH: The RugbyPass behind the scenes documentary on Leinster’s 2018 PRO14 final win over Scarlets
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments