Nakawara case raises awkward questions about Top14's treatment of PI players
Racing 92 lock Leone Nakawara’s no-show to training since the Rugby World Cup is one story this week that could have major consequences.
The 31-year-old has failed to turn up to training following his two-week break after the tournament, and while it is believed that he is in Fiji building a house with his club’s consent, it was initially reported that the Parisian club were planning on firing him if he does not return.
While many people have sympathised with Racing 92, as Nakawara is an employee of theirs who they desperately need as they sit second from bottom in the league, this has sparked new concerns about the Top 14’s treatment of players.
Clubs in the Top 14 have long been criticised from not prioritising player welfare, which was glaringly shown recently when Thomas Ramos ran out for Toulouse only a week after being sent home from the France squad with an injury at the RWC.
Two weeks rest has not been deemed enough, particularly for foreign players that may only get a chance to visit their home once a year. The Gallagher Premiership and the Pro14 have been used as examples in how players should be treated, although that is still largely down to the clubs, as Stuart Hogg ran out for the Exeter Chiefs a week after Scotland crashed out of the RWC.
However, this has also tied into concerns with how Pacific Island players are treated in France, as it is a long held view that players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are blackmailed into not playing for their country in order to remain with their clubs. This treatment of the 2018 European player of the year has only fanned those flames.
The problem for Racing 92 is that, while they may feel within their rights to sack Nakawara, this would only create a bidding war amongst their biggest rivals for the lock. Very few clubs in Europe would turn down the chance to sign Nakarawa if the opportunity arose, which is why this may just be a hollow threat from the French giants.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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