Its certainly a worry for Australian Rugby when capped Wallabies are opting for overseas deals one year out from the World Cup. The Waratahs are fighting hard to keep Kane Douglas after it emerged the Test second-rower had agreed, but not signed his name to, a two-year deal with Irish province Leinster. Sources assert that Douglas would be happy to stay in Australia for a far smaller salary than that offered by a European club, but that the sum put up by the ARU is blatantly insufficient for an internationally capped player.
Spanning well into its third month, this case is a crucial test for the ARU’s new contracting system for players of national interest. It highlights the conflicting priorities of the Super Rugby franchises and the union that bankrolls them. The ARU’s offer is a clear signal to the 24-year-old workhorse forward that, despite his seminal contribution to the Waratahs’ campaign this season, he is still just a bench second-rower in the eyes of Ewen McKenzie, as the Queensland partnership of James Horwill and Rob Simmons is still preferred by the Wallabies coach.
Where it gets tricky is the Waratahs’ strategic importance to the ARU. Bill Pulver contends that the success of the ARU as a business relies heavily on the performance of the NSW franchise. After the departure of Rebels lock Hugh Pyle to France trimming local talent even further, Cheika will likely start looking offshore for Douglas’ replacement if he does indeed head to the Aviva.
How can Pulver balance the constraints of the ARU’s financial situation with the need to keep Australia’s most valuable players in the country? A difficult task, and one that needs to be addressed soon.