New ARU structure to hinder Brumbies

A new contract system devised by the ARU could mean that the Brumbies out-of-contract stars will be let go after the 2014 season.

Deals for Scott Fardy, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Scott Sio and Jesse Mogg will all expire at the end of the year, but the Brumbies may not be able to hang on to their Wallaby contingent along with other key members of their squad.

According to The Canberra Times, a new national contract structure will see the ARU decide the cost of each Australian Super Rugby player, with the clubs then needing to match that price.

The move is expected to put pressure on the Brumbies' salary cap, although the Wallabies blindside flanker Scott Fardy added that any talk of contract negotiations had been put on the backburner in the build-up to the new season.

Full article: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...105002,00.html

I'd laugh if the Waratahs picked them all up. :snigger:

Brumbies have nothing to worry about, the Tahs have the most expensive list in Super Rugby.

Either way it'll be good for the Force, it's hard to see how we're even competing in the same salary bracket as the other franchises.

Could someone explain the rationale to me? I don't understand what the point of the change is. Is it to stop a player being deliberately undervalued so the club pays less and the difference is then made up by a 3rd party, thus getting round the salary cap??

Sounds like a stupid plan

Let's wait until there is an official announcement and see the detail. IIRC the ARU has been told at government level that they need to conform to best practice for funding to continue at grass roots level. Reform of the crazy contracting system would be part of that. It's wide open to abuse and on the evidence so far it has been.
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the rationale seems very strange, provinces will value some players more or less then the ARU does.

For the Reds the value of Gill would be very high, but at test level given there is Hooper and Pocock also running around his test value would be lower.

On the flip side, the ARU might value Palu more then the Tahs because the Tahs know he isn't worth taking up so much of their salary cap when he will likely only be fit for a few games.

Imagine the value of Nonu for the All Blacks (where he cares) and for Super teams (where he really doesn't!)

At least for us, because the ARU appear to value Force players so lowly that they don't get picked for the Wallabies, we should have loads of room under the salary cap!