$1m deal to keep Latham

[GIGS20]

I think you're right on the money there Tif. Aus would probably be ahead of both NZ and SA in terms of ELVs. That is probably the reason we didn't do too well this WC, our pack would be more 'mobile' and less 'technical' (for want of better terms) If the ELV's are adopted holus bolus next year sometime,I think Aus will have a significant head start into the world cup, if not..........we're screwed!

[prop53]

Yes and one try by a PROP too ha ha .

[lmaag]

But the ELV's are being trialled in both the Currie Cup and NPC aren't they? I think the NH aren't trialling them as yet. I read in the Oz that if the ELV's get the nod we will play under the old system against the frogs and micks when they tour but then the new laws when we play NZ and SA. I think that's the case but am more than happy to stand corrected from someone less confused.

[GIGS20]

Yeah, but I wasn't using that as the indicator that we'd have a head start. Knuckles was trying to put a system of play into the forwards which spread them out more on the field. this is what will make the Wallabies have the head start in an ELV game, we've been playing it fro three years now. Of course it didn't work in current rugby!

[prop53]

did anything work with knuckles wasted two years

[The InnFORCEr]

27/10/2007
Sportal.co.nz

The ARU has tabled a new offer to Wallabies star Chris Latham in the hope the talented fullback will see out his career in Australia.

The two-year deal would see the 32-year-old tied to the Wallabies until 2010.

Latham is being chased by a number of overseas clubs and is contemplating a late-career switch.

"We believe the offer we have put to Chris is a competitive one and we are hopeful it will be accepted," the ARU's general manager high performance unit, Pat Howard, said.

"We understand Chris has been fielding some very lucrative offers from rugby clubs in the UK, but we are very keen to see him continue his representative career in Australia and hope this new two-year deal convinces him to stay."

Latham fought back from a serious knee injury at the start of 2007 to play a major role in Australia's World Cup campaign.

The 2006 John Eales Medalist has played 78 Tests for Australia since making his debut in Paris in 1998, the same year he made his Super rugby debut for the Waratahs.

[AndyS]

Just a thought, but Latham was fairly critical of the ELVs...wonder whether a decision to use them in the S14 would impact on where he'll choose to play. There certainly seemed to be a lot of injuries in the MARC this year and, if the players see that as a risk with the new rules, they may well choose to avoid it once they reach an age.

[JediKnight]

What's the point of a 2-year deal so that he heads off 1 year before the next RWC?! Surely, the ARU are not that short-sighted or stupid........or are they?!

[James]

World Cups are all well and good but its better to have the ARU not bankrupt than have one. I know that sounds strange with talk of paying Latham a million dollars but he brings the punters in and it gives time for them to groom a his replacement. Plus I'm sure any Queensland board members will be doing whatever it takes to keep him.

[Jehna]

Latham victim of Tuqiri saga

By Jim Tucker
November 02, 2007

THE painful five-month saga that was Lote Tuqiri's re-signing is only now hitting home, with the fallout directly affecting the Chris Latham case and those to follow.

The drawn-out Tuqiri episode fuelled the sad perception that if you hold your breath long enough in rugby some fairy godmother is going to drop a third-party deal from the sky so you can earn $1 million a year.

Tuqiri may or may not be earning exactly that, but the Australian Rugby Union dumped itself in a pickle when former chief executive Gary Flowers took so long to close that deal.

Now the new ARU regime has to hose down expectations every time a star sits at the negotiating table.

Latham is no money-grabber. Rugby has had few more loyal servants at Wallabies, Queensland and club level with his time, passion and performance.

He is also entitled not to be insulted and thought a pushover when the ARU has crash-tackled league's Timana Tahu with a mega deal to have him switch codes.

Players don't talk to each other about what they earn. That's where the surreal million-dollar glow about Tuqiri has blurred reality about just what is fact and what is fair.

Latham will be 36 when the 2011 Rugby World Cup kicks off and even his speed and skills will be dulled to some degree by then.

Equally, he gets the turnstiles clicking and lives to attack, which is everything the Wallabies must do now to woo back disgruntled fans in 2008 and 2009.

The ARU has to be smart with its money, and a two-year incentive deal for 2009-2010 has its merit. If Latham keeps firing in 13 Tests during both years, he's flying on the pay scale. If he loses his lustre and plays only a handful, the ARU is insulated.

But is a player of his calibre worth a bigger guarantee?

Latham has a rich offer to play in the United Kingdom from late 2008 but his blood ties with his young family are tugging at him, too.

"We want Latho to stay," ARU high-performance manager Pat Howard said. "He's a good person and has been very mature in our discussions which have been healthy." "Whatever he does, he'll have the ARU's support."

No fan would begrudge Latham the best deal, wherever it is, after all he has given to make rugby a better spectacle.

A last word on the intriguing Wallaby coaching debate. Whether Alan Jones applies for the job or not by tomorrow's deadline, it's essential his views are canvassed by the ARU.

He is an independent thinker and his philosophy that sportsmen need far more in their lives than the pillar of footy to be successful as players has been given lip service too often.

There are positives and negatives with each contender but, contrary to some views, it is a strong field and the worthy winner will be Australian.

Courier Mail