-
Talent pool not so deep
Talent pool not so deep
THE Melbourne Rebels' decision not to fill their quota of foreign players has implications for all of Australia's Super rugby teams, not just the 2011 expansion franchise.
Australia's four existing teams - the Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force - are allowed two foreign players, a marquee international and an emerging player with the potential to become eligible for the Wallabies.
But the ARU has granted the Rebels the concession to recruit 10 foreign players in their inaugural season. It wants to avoid a repeat of the aggressive poaching that occurred when the Western Force gained admission in 2006 and it also wants to help the Rebels become competitive in the AFL-dominated market of Melbourne.
But Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen has indicated the club would not try to fill its quota of imports.
Instead, they will look to develop Australian talent, which is a highly admirable sentiment.
Macqueen certainly had a lot of success with this philosophy when he was the Brumbies' foundation coach in 1996-97, but he created a successful team from a hard core of ACT players and rejects from NSW and Queensland.
Even if the Rebels do not fill their import quota, there is another mechanism in place that will prevent them from pillaging the other four Australian teams to the extent that the Force ransacked the Reds.
The Rebels can only sign 22 players who are currently contracted by Super 14 teams, which means they can only poach up to 5.5 players each from the other four teams, although this is potentially a third of their starting line-ups. The other eight Rebels squad members have to be foreigners, Australians playing overseas, uncontracted Australian club players or rugby league converts.
The Rebels have probably discovered that quality foreign players are expensive because of the big money on offer from clubs in England, France and Japan.
This is the main reason the existing four teams have not always filled their quota of two imports since the foreign player rules were relaxed a couple of years ago.
This situation may change, however, once the Rebels start to sign up players from the other Australian teams.
But how would the Waratahs, for example, replace Wallabies such as Berrick Barnes, Benn Robinson and Wycliff Palu if their import spots were already filled?
If the Rebels do not want to recruit 10 imports, that's their business, but clearly the ARU did not think there was sufficient depth in Australia to support five teams or they would not have given the Rebels the import concession.
In order to maintain the quality and depth of all five Australian teams the ARU may need to consider distributing the Rebels' unused import spots to the other franchises.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225825232883
-
For once I agree. If the Rebels are allowed extras that they don't use then surely the other clubs should be allowed to use them. The Rebels franchise (minus the 10 imports) will mean 20 more players getting access to S14 rugby but its as important that teams are successful as it is that they expand Australia's talent pool. If the Rebels only sign 6 imports why not give all of the other teams another import.
-
Don't panic James, Bret's just worried that his precious Brumbies will lose all their young talent after essentially purchasing them a slot on the bench so they can lose to the 'Canes and the 'Tahs (and of course the Force)
-
Perhaps the ARU should allow the Rebels to be able to use the concession as a trade chip?
If they sign a starting player from team A then that team gains one International position type of thing.
-
fair comments, thats the first time ive seen it stated that the Rebels will only be allowed to sign 22 players from other contracts, that doesnt really make a whole lot of sense.
I think Brett Harris might actually be incorrect on this one, technically whats to stop a franchise from signing a player who isn't contracted?
-
Agreed TOCC, I'd've thought that particular clause would have got an airing before now if it existed.
Not sure the other franchises would be that enthusiastic though - it would be money out of their pockets to buy in another overseas player and, by definition, it would be someone that the Victorian team didn't want or couldn't afford.
-
The article lacks credibility with the 0.5 of a player.
