Waugh warns of Rocky road.
"Dangerous precedent": Waugh
By Iain Payten "Dangerous precedent": Waugh | The Daily Telegraph
March 19, 2008 12:00am
WARATAHS captain Phil Waugh believes the Australian Rugby Union is walking a "dangerous" path negotiating with stars to play overseas temporarily but return for World Cup duties.
Waugh's concerns emerged yesterday with reports his NSW and Wallabies teammate Rocky Elsom was contemplating a sabbatical playing in Europe next year and possibly in 2010, with the ARU's blessing.
Coming after Dan Vickerman's similar decision to pursue study and football in England - but likely return for the 2011 World Cup - Waugh said the ARU must guard against diminishing local competitions by freeing top players to move offshore.
"You are setting yourself up to have a soccer situation, where all the top players are playing in Europe and they only play for Australia in World Cups,'' Waugh said. "It is a dangerous precedent to set.''
Compounding the peril is the increased threat of English Premiership clubs next year, when their salary cap rises from $A6.5 million to $A8.6 million. Elsom, 25, told ARU boss John O'Neill last week however his future is not being based on money.
Waugh said he was unsure if Elsom would walk away at the peak of his career, even if only temporarily. The outstanding 112kg flanker cemented his Wallabies spot last year, starting in 10 Tests.
"I don't know whether it is going to actually happen, I haven't spoken to Rocky,'' Waugh said. "There is a lot of risk in leaving Australian rugby at this stage in his career.''
Waugh says the ARU must take steps to not let Super rugby's quality suffer. "If the ARU are going to look at releasing players in that way, then I think they also have to look at imports as well and letting people come over and experience Super 14, similar to what (Frederic) Michalak is doing for the Sharks,'' Waugh said.
"If that is how the ARU is going to conduct negotiations in the future, look at opportunities to attract world class players to increase the standard of the game.''
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie was also unaware with Elsom's desire for a "sabbatical''.
"It's all news to me,'' McKenzie said. "We haven't changed our opinion, we want him to stay. I would be surprised if people want to give up their Test spot. I always operated on the principle of not giving a sucker an even break. If you're not there, someone else gets a go and you never know if you'll get back in.''
It's also "risky'' trying to recapture a Super 14 contract from Europe given the seasons are not aligned, added McKenzie.
