Western Force eye Bismarck du Plessis
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The Western Force are already on the lookout for their marquee player in 2009 with Bismarck Du Plessis being identified as a potential first up marquee signing for the Force.
The Western Force are likely to be one of the first Australian sides to sign a foreign based player under the new ARU Foreign Player Policy approval. The Force and Waratahs have arguably the deepest pockets and are in the best position to sign a star player.
Bismarck du Plessis is likely to drop back to the second choice hooker for the Sharks in 2009 as John Smit returns from his French sojurn.
In other Australian Super 14 news, the Brumbies identified that they are less likely to sign a foreign player in 2009 rather focusing their effort on the 2010 season which will allow adequate time to identify a suitable marquee player and a potential foreign star that could one day play for the Wallabies.
Brumbies look to new Captain in 2009
Andy Friend the new Brumbies Super 14 coach in 2009 announced on ABC Radio in Canberra this morning that the Brumbies are actively considering standing down Stirling Mortlock as captain and announcing a new captain in 2009.
The rumours have been doing the rounds for a week or so now but this is the first confirmation that the Brumbies are considering standing down Mortlock as captain. Friend acknowledged that Mortlock was under pressure with the responsibilities from the Wallabies captaincy and media responsibilities and that relieving him as the Brumbies captain may allow him to focus on his other duties.
This would in no way mean Mortlock would not have a leadership role on the field as he is an inspirational leader but it would devolve him of the media obligations that can add considerably to the workload. The same approach was done several years ago at the Brumbies when George Gregan was still the Australian Wallabies captain and Stirling Mortlock replaced Gregan as the Brumbies captain. Gregan was still as vocal as ever on the field and the Brumbies barely missed a beat.
So who is in line to take over as captain should the Brumbies follow through on their discussions? THe most likely candidates are Stephen Hoiles, George Smith and even Mark Gerrard as a dark horse in the pack.
Do you follow the Brumbies? If so what do you think of Andy Friend’s comments.
ARU knock back selecting foreign based players
The Australian Rugby Union board today knocked back the selection of Australian foreign based players dashibg hopes of selecting players such as Rocky Elsom for the European tour.
With more Australian rugby stars travelling to Europe to ply their trade there was some hope of the loosening of the selection of Australian players based particularly in Europe. The decision is in keeping with the New Zealand All Blacks who have maintained a focus on selecting only New Zealand based players.
Depending on the likely exodus and player depth over the next few years these restrictions are likely to be loosened as we lead into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa have this year selected some of their leading players from European teams such as Victor Matfield and John Smit. After a slow start for Matfield he quickly started delivering the goods.
ARU approve foreign players in Super 14
The Australian Rugby Union board today approved the inclusion of foriegn players in the Australian Super 14 teams. The new Foreign Player Policy is highly conditional and restricts each Australian Super 14 franchise to a maximum of two overseas based players.
Australian Super 14 teams will be able to sign one marquee foreign player. This marquee player can be an international player but can never qualify for Australian selection due to the IRB regulation restricting each player to only represent one country throughout their career.
Each Super 14 team will also be allowed to recruit a second developing foreign player who has yet to represent his country at international level in tests, sevens or A-team level. This player can then qualify for Australian selection after three years of consecutive residency.
Super 14 teams can also choose to select two developing players instead of one marquee and one developing player. The ARU has imposed the additional restictions of each bid for a foreign player having to be submitted through the ARU and approved prior to the contract proceeding. The ARU has also restricted these foreign players to only a two year contract at any one Super 14 team.
This change opens the door to bringing in players that would draw a high degree of international appeal to the Australian game. Players such as Sebastien Chabal and Shane Williams would have a tremendous following should any Australian team attempt to bring them to their franchise. It is certainly a smart marketing move from the ARU and bodes well for the game.
Waratahs add Matt Burke to coaching ranks
In a major coup for the NSW Waratahs, Matt Burke has been signed as the kicking coach for 2009. The signing of Burke has finalised the Waratahs coaching squad.
Burke is a Waratahs legend and is one of the finest players the Tahs have produced. His international career for the Wallabies was outstanding and he had a firm grasp of the fullback spot virtually until the time he left Australia, keeping Chris Latham from the role for a large part of his career.
Matt Burke is still the Waratahs highest points scorer with 1172 points and the second most capped player with 115 appearances between 1992 and 2004.
ARU open door to Overseas Players
The Australian Rugby Union have opened the door for overseas players to join domestic rugby teams such as the Force, Waratahs, Red and Brumbies. This is a major change for the ARU as they aim to keep the game developing in Australia.
At the moment it is still a proposal but is being finalised by the local unions with it to be put to an ARU vote on 5th September. The proposal is one that is likely to proceed as it provides a mouth watering opportunity to splash out and lure some big stars to the Australian Super 14 teams.
The most likely teams to splurge would be the NSW Waratahs and the Western Force who have a strong corporate sector to bankroll the teams. South Africa and the European countries have all embrased foreign players and the standard and appeal of the game in those countries has improved on the interest shown towards overseas based stars.
The introduction of overseas players would also provide some flexibility towards the expansion of the game in Australia should the Super 14 expand and Australia increase to five teams in the future.
New Zealand push for Super 14 changes
Reports today that there is a strong push from the New Zealand provincial teams to revamp the Super 14 competition. The New Zealand push is for a 14 team trans Tasman tournament that would involve nine teams form New Zealand and five from Australia.
I don’t think this has series legs but their is some merit in the discussions. The Super 14 series will is currently locked in till 2011 with the South African’s, Australian’s and New Zealand. Any changes would depend on the approval of all teams and while South Africa have talked about leaving after the current contract runs out I see it unlikely.
The current broadcast deal is lucrative and should South Africa move away from the Tri-Nations series then they would look to join that of Europe which could prove detrimental to their development against the two best Rugby nations in the world.
The Super 14 need to look at expansion into the Pacific Islands and also Japan, this move would lock in the long term future of the game in the southern hemisphere and secure the development of the game in the region. I would like to see Argentina join the current Tri-Nations series, this would be great for Argentina and also expand on the current Tri-Nations series.
Planet Rugby have a good article on this called The End of Super Rugby?, check it out if your interested.
John Roe retires from injury
Sad news today for the Queensland Reds who lost their captain John Roe today through retirement. Roe, 31, the Reds captain played 107 games for the Reds and 19 internationals for the Wallabies in a test career that began in 2003.
Roe retired due to the inability of his shoulder to respond to medical treatment. Roe has a shoulder reconstruction in 2007 and missed the last few games in 2008 with another shoulder injury. It is a big loss for the Reds as Roe was one of the key members of the team and his loyalty and commitment to the team was one of the key reasons they were able to retain some promising young players.
Rugby Super 14 finals expand in 2009
It has been reported today that at the SANZAR meeting it was discussed to increase the final series from 4 teams to 6 teams from as early as 2009. This would increase the potential revenue for the game and also procvide a greater chance for a team to come from lower down and claim the trophy.
The four team final series has been critisied for many years and no change was made to the final series formula when the competition expanded from Super 12 to Super 14. The decision needs to be agreed to by the member nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Should it be ratified we could see the changes in as early as 2009.
The Super 14 is likely to undergo further major changes in the next few years as the competition could potentially expand to include a home and away series which will virtually double the length of the season and also the consideration of additional teams joining the competition potentially from Japan, Argentina or the Pacific Islands should the economics stack up for SANZAR.
Pat Lam new Auckland Blues Coach
Pat Lam has been announced as the new Auckland Blues coach replacing Australian David Nucifora who is the new Australian high performance coach. Adrian Lam has been signed as coach on a three year contract where the Blues will be hoping he will be able to add to the trophy cabinet.
The Blues have had a start studded side since they began in the Super 12 in 1996 but in recent years they have underperformed at the final stages of the Super 14 despite going on to contribute a number of stars to the All Blacks team. Lam, 39, has had tremendous success at provincial level, winning the Air New Zealand Cup, Ranfurly Shield and going through the season undefeated.
The Blues who have won three previous Super championships in 1996, 1997 ans 2003 remain as one of only four teams to have won the Super Championship along with the Bulls, Brumbies and the highly successful Crusaders.