Why it's not 'entirely a bad thing' for Australian players to move overseas
Andy Marinos concedes Rugby Australia needs to step up its talent identification to avoid losing more Mack Hansen's and the like to international rivals.
But the RA chief doesn't believe players moving from country to country is necessarily a bad thing for the code.
After representing Australia at the 2018 under-20s World Cup and playing 21 games for the ACT Brumbies, Hansen has proven a revelation since switching allegiance to Ireland.
The electrifying fullback-cum-winger is the latest emerging star to turn his back on Wallabies opportunities, with ex-Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotu killing it for Scotland after following his grandmother's heritage.
Turning 29 next month, former NSW Waratahs forward Jack Dempsey is also excelling for Scotland after being overlooked for the Wallabies after playing 14 Tests.
But it's the defection of younger players, including Jack Cornelsen and Dylan Riley, who chose Japan over Australia, that is becoming a bigger concern for Wallabies fans.
Tuipulotu's younger brother Mosese, 21, a centre at the Waratahs, is reportedly being hotly pursued by Scotland.
"I don't see it as being entirely a bad thing, to be quite honest," Marinos said on Thursday.
"A lot of the time, and there's been many examples of it over the last decade, where a player is probably just a journeyman in their own country and they go into a new environment and they get a new lease of life and that's positive for the world game.
"The big thing that's got to come back into our system in terms of that early identification is making sure we're getting the right talent into the right pathways early and nurturing and looking after that talent.
"The movement of players is going to continue; with changes to regulations and eligibility after the stand-down period, that certainly has opened up that chasm a lot wider for us.
"But I'm of the view that you don't necessarily frown upon it all the time.
"We've just got to sort out our own back yard and make sure that we keep our best talent and not let those ones slip out."
Marinos is taking a philosophical approach, especially while acknowledging RA is still in the midst of recovering from the financially crippling COVID-19 period when the governing body recorded a $27 million loss in 2020 alone.
"The reality is you can't keep everyone," he said.
"I'm sure Mac Hansen probably would have (been a great Wallaby).
"He had an opportunity to go abroad and he's made the best of that and you've got to wish him well and celebrate that."
Marinos was speaking after joining Rugby Union Players' Association chief Justin Harrison in announcing the finalisation of the new four-year collective bargaining agreement.
After a turbulent period under Raelene Castle's leadership, Harrison believes RA and RUPA are now far more united to take the game forward post-pandemic.
"It took us a while to get there, and a bit of regime change as well, but we think from then on that all parties have come together with an interest to grow the game," Harrison said.
"The players are most pleased about being recognised as a partner in the game.
"The eras of schoolboy/headmaster, schoolgirl/headmistress notion of being told what to do and how to do it and 'we'll tell you when we're ready', there's certainly been different now."
While bonuses have been reinstated for the Wallabies, who took a big financial hit during COVID, Australia's top women's rugby players also received a pay boost.
RA will contract up to 35 players with the potential to earn $52,000, while paid maternity leave has also been ratified.
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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
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