Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
- Start date
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Leicster are apparently pretty desperate for a 10 too (their next option is Paddy Jackson), so I'm guessing it's a decent offer.
JRugby2
Bill McLean (32)
Tom Mogg*
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
Eh?
JRugby2
Bill McLean (32)
Sorry - a shit joke referencing another Brumbies fullback who carved at super rugby level but failed to crack it at international level playing for montpellier
I've had to imagine Tom Banks with a bumfluff neckbeard and for that, I now have to ban you from the forum.
Sorry, but those are the rules.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
Just spit balling here - but I wonder how feasible it would be to have a European ‘tour’ each year comprising largely young players already based in Europe. Or even just a camp or two coinciding with the Wallabies EOYT. Engage a group of these guys and try to make them feel a part of the pathway. Even just invite groups of them to join camp for a day or two as the Wallabies travel through their respective region. I don’t think you’d suddenly convert a bunch of them back but if you keep letting them know we are interested in them it can’t hurt (no doubt plenty of phone calls already go on behind the scenes but I feel this would give a more tangible connection).
I get that there would be a bunch of logistic challenges - not least of all that the French clubs would probably completely oppose it - but just trying to think outside the box. Can’t do the same thing we’ve always done.
I get that there would be a bunch of logistic challenges - not least of all that the French clubs would probably completely oppose it - but just trying to think outside the box. Can’t do the same thing we’ve always done.
JRugby2
Bill McLean (32)
Anything's possible - but probably a case of juice not being worth the squeeze. Running a european based players tour wouldn't work primarily due to the cost + reg 9 preventing players being released unless being selected inside a window for a national team.
Would likely run into the issue of players being pressured by clubs to opt out like happens with a number of the island teams.
Do we need to make this guys feel like they're apart of a system that a large number (not all) have opted out of?
Dctarget
David Wilson (68)
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
Don't hate the concept at all.
Can' help but think for blokes sticking here in Aus and grinding for a national call up it could feel like your the ugly step kid while RA want the sun kissed bloke developing an accent.
I do like the idea of inviting any Aussie players to train with the Wallabies squad when over there though. Keep in their minds and letting them know we value you.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
RA runs a lean ship in terms of employees but having someone responsible for understanding the "potentially" eligible Australian players based in Europe and being a connection piece back to RA for those players would be great. Scouting and staying in contact but they could also support the Wallabies manager for the Spring tour in terms of scouting venues, being the local liaison etc. Ben Darwin's original business model was to actually track players contracts not sure if anyone does that these days. I know most managers send lists of their clients basic info along with eligibilities and contracts expiry. Maybe there is someone at RA could track players from u14 or so rep teams
The Ghost of Raelene
Phil Kearns (64)
Give a call to the Socceroos and how they do it. Although I imagine it's a heavy part of the organisation with premier comps being on the other side of the world. Still we often pick blokes out of 2nd and 3rd tier fully pro comps and people have to be creating reports on performance.
Upthemaroon!
Frank Nicholson (4)
I think this is the biggest thing. Just get an old legend in as a volunteer at RA that just sends these blokes a message every now and then and ask how they are going over there. Would do a lot imo.
Well to make it fair the ones in aus could join the setup when it’s the June/ July tests or the rugby championship. They sorta did it for lemota, T brial and I think Doyle last year from memory.
Divide and conquer, Brisbane tests = the QLD rep kids, Sydney = NSW rep kids etc etc
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
I’d be surprised if the Super coaches didn’t make contact with a lot of guys in Europe pretty regularly. And I completely understand that you don’t want to alienate the players who have stayed within the domestic Super Rugby & Pathways.
I think the aim of any initiative of this type should ultimately be to get them back in Super Rugby, not as some alternate pathway direct into the Wallabies.
But I do believe that people want to be wanted and a little effort can go a long way. If footballers were only motivated by money, which we sometimes seem to think, not many of our top players would be here at all. Our lifestyle and being close to family does mean a lot and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that a lot of the French clubs sell the dream and the reality doesn’t always stack up. For me it would just be about reminding these young guys the door is always open to come back.
I think the aim of any initiative of this type should ultimately be to get them back in Super Rugby, not as some alternate pathway direct into the Wallabies.
But I do believe that people want to be wanted and a little effort can go a long way. If footballers were only motivated by money, which we sometimes seem to think, not many of our top players would be here at all. Our lifestyle and being close to family does mean a lot and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that a lot of the French clubs sell the dream and the reality doesn’t always stack up. For me it would just be about reminding these young guys the door is always open to come back.
TSR
Steve Williams (59)
And so that it is really engaging - don’t run any training sessions. Just take them all to the pub once a month.