Should There Be Transfer Fees in Rugby?

Rampaging future rugby union/league star and current YouTube hit, Taniela Tupou

It is only natural to expect plenty of new experiences and problems in the early days of rugby union as a professional sport.

One thing that is likely to be talked about over the next couple of years is whether rugby union - and rugby league for that matter - should introduce transfer fees like in football or some other form of compensation over the loss of one player from one club to another - in US sport, franchises trade draft picks to get a player.

This was recently brought up by Blues coach, John Kirwan when asked about the future of Taniela Tupou who has been courted by rugby union and league as a result of his efforts on the rugby field captured on YouTube.

This will become more apparent as more players transfer between clubs, particularly if it involves a player that is highly prized by one club, who is in demand by several other bidders.

Who will rugby's first 100 million dollar man?

Imagine how much the transfer fees would be for someone like Dan Carter or Richie McCaw if we were to apply to rugby the same economics applied to football, i.e. consider the sub-$100 million dollar fees for Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.

I think transfer fees would be a good way for clubs to gain financially from the loss of players that they have nurtured over time. If say Club A wanted Player 1 who has been nurtured by Club B through the academy or feeder union for 5 years, Club B could value the player for X amount and Club A would have to match or raise that fee to attain Player 1.

In football, transfer fees are the lifeline of "smaller" football clubs as it allows them to strengthen their clubs by using the transfer fees paid to buy new players or invest in the club. Take the Gareth Bale example late last year - the money from the 100 million euro transfer fee was used by Tottenham to buy at least 8 world class players.

On the field, it might not have worked out for Spurs this season but it was a huge win for the club who can build for the future.

The same case applied for Everton who benefited greatly when they sold Wayne Rooney to Manchester United for a then record fee for English football.

Transfer fees could possibly assuage the emotional damage caused by our players going overseas, especially given that the European and Japanese clubs going after our players should be able to afford the transfer fees if we chose to incur them.

So I am all for transfer fees in rugby although they would need to be tinkered a bit slightly to avoid the financial blowout that has taken place in many of Europe's football leagues.

Will Genia To Be Dumped by Ewen McKenzie

Reports are coming out across the ditch that Will Genia is set to join Kevin Rudd on the scrap heap with the influential halfback set to be dropped for the test against Argentina in Perth.

Genia has looked listless and effective this season against bigger packs and this must be a desperate measure by Ewen McKenzie who is all out of ideas to get his first win as Wallabies coach.

It is a big call given that captain, Will Genia is one of McKenzie's own creations along with Quade Cooper, James Slipper and the injured James Horwill.

Like Rudd, Genia is likely to be dropped to the bench so if Brumbies halfback Nic White doesn't quite work out, Genia could come off the bench.

Mind you, Genia is likely to have a bit longer in the limelight than the now former Prime Minister of Australia.

Les Bleus Miserables

At the end of last November, France had clearly ensconced itself as the number 2 team in world rugby behind the All Blacks. They had just thumped the Wallabies and beaten Argentina and Samoa fairly comfortably.

By all accounts, it was a performance worthy of Six Nations Championship favourites.

Heading into the middle of February, France are sitting rock bottom of the Six Nations standings with 2 losses from 2 games against 2 of rugby's least in-form sides - an Italy side that were never going to be real contenders for the championship, and a Welsh side that hadn't won a game in a year prior to the weekend.

As the 2nd best team in world rugby, France should have won those games and be firmly in control of the Six Nations which they would win and head into their test series and World Cup Final rematch against the All Blacks, ready to show that their performance that October night in Auckland was not a fluke, and that the French are ready to be a consistent force in world rugby.

However, one must remember that we're talking about the French - the most mercurial and moody side in world rugby. The French have always had the habit of looking so bad in the last 3 games, and then play the best rugby you've ever seen in the game that seems to matter to the opposition - 1999 Rugby World Cup semifinal, 2007 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, 2011 Rugby World Cup final, anyone?

Thus, the English will be on extremely high alert when the French come to Twickenham in two weeks time - depending on the result of their game against Ireland in Dublin, this game would be the next big step in England winning their first Grand Slam in 10 years.

The likes of Bastareud, Dusautoir and Szarzewski will return to the Top 14 pondering what has gone wrong to the French juggernaut that looked so impressive in the autumn, and be out to answer the critics from local and foreign media with a display to help avoid the wooden spoon at least.

Philippe Saint-Andre has winning pedigree at Sale Sharks and Toulon

There is no doubt the French still have a great team with a great coach in Philippe Saint-Andre even if they have quite a few new names in the squad at the moment - there is plenty of talent in the Top 14. However, it is clear they not only underestimated the Italians and Welsh but were almost disinterested in playing them. At the same time, the Italians and Welsh realised they needed to be far more defensive and quite negative to have any chance against the flair of the French which has been evident this autumn. That they did to great effect - in fact the Welsh game was quite possibly the worst game of international rugby seen in a long time - and while the French forwards were at their usual best, the backs haven't really fired.

Michalak must shoulder more of the responsibility as the most senior back in the team

Freddy Michalak has slotted straight into the French national side after several years playing for the Sharks. Michalak as a player epitomises the mercurial nature of French rugby. There is no doubt Freddy has the talent but he's never had the consistency to really push the likes of Carter and Wilkinson and be the best flyhalf. And in what is really the autumn of his career, nearly 10 years after electrifying world rugby at  the World Cup in Australia, is Michalak really the right man to lead the French backs?

All Blacks fans would much rather see a strong French side even if we love to beat them - we have seen too many lacklustre games where the French have fielded their B team and be thrashed by the All Blacks. Thus, it would be good to see the French lift their game and finish the championship strongly even if their title aspirations are almost at an end for another year.

Dan Carter All Black Inside Centre of the Future?

For the first time in 7 years, Dan Carter will play at second five, this time in the Crusaders' match against the Stormers. Dan Carter will play second receiver to Tom Taylor who will wear the 10 jumper as Todd Blackadder aims to freshen up the team following their return from a gruelling quick trip to South Africa.

But with Dan Carter no longer a spring chicken, now starting to head into the autumn of his career, and with the number of options available now in New Zealand at 10, could Dan Carter eventually become first choice second-five for the All Blacks?

Tom Taylor will play at 10 this weekend

Ma'a Nonu's form hasn't been exactly sparkling for the Blues and one wonders how long he will hang around New Zealand rugby. And we can't really pin the future of the second five black jersey on Sonny Bill Williams can we?

There is no doubt Dan Carter is the most talented rugby player New Zealand has ever had and he can play all over the backline. He would make as a good a second-five as he has at first-five and in fact showed that in his early All Black career.

Barrett at 10, Carter at 12 for All Blacks?

Now that the likes of Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett are banging on the door for selection and with the need to prepare for the post-Carter era, surely, it's time Dan Carter be moved to 12 and have one of the two aforementioned selected at 10 so they can glean the valuable experience from the best first playmaker in world rugby while he is still fit, healthy and very much on-song?

Can Cruden and Carter play in the same backline?

I guess it's the same reason why Tom Taylor is playing at first receiver ahead of Dan Carter, with young Tom knowing that he has the excellent Dan to pass to next time.

A Dan Carter and Conrad Smith or Richard Kahui midfield partnership could be absolutely quality and hard to beat too.

Also you wonder if playing second-five could prolong Dan Carter's playing career by taking the pressure off him and reducing the contact time he has to face.

How To Keep New Zealand Rugby Sustainable

Otago's recent demise along with the near-misses with Southland, Waikato and Canterbury in recent times is the clearest sign that the current 2-tier professional rugby system in New Zealand is not working and is eventually going to kill the game.

This is how I believe the game in New Zealand should be run from bottom to top, i.e. club/community rugby all the way to international level. I'm copying the hierachy used in the USA for American football which has proven to be highly successful

Clubs/Schools
- Managed by provincial unions
- Fully amateur
- Broadcasting rights for games should be open to negotiation; with negotiations fully encouraged

FYI, High school football games in Texas are one of the most watched shows in the USA resulting in the hit drama, Friday Night Lights.

Provincial Unions, i.e. NPC
- Become more amateur based
- Only coaching staff and backroom staff paid
- All revenue goes straight to the provincial unions for funding of grassroots rugby
- Introduce transfer fees - only form of revenue in regards to players
- Super rugby players who aren't selected for the All Blacks to play in NPC - they will be paid by Super rugby franchises (let's just say playing NPC rugby is beneficial for the Super rugby franchise)
- Revert to mainly afternoon games, with feature games to be shown in late evening, at night.
- Return to pre-2006 structure - three divisions instead of two separate competitions, i.e. ITM Cup and Heartland Championship

FYI, College football in the USA is far more popular than the NFL despite being fully amateur. All TV revenue goes straight to the colleges, none to the players.

Super Rugby Franchises 
- Fully professional, i.e. the only way to play rugby professionally in New Zealand
- Privately owned entities separate from the NZRU and provincial unions, i.e. franchises like in the USA
- Selection exclusively from NPC clubs but not strictly from the franchise region so that New Zealand's best players are all picked up and become professional
- Expansion of squads to 40 players, resulting in the abolishment of wider training squads. This will ensure players that should be kept in New Zealand are contracted - yes we will miss out on some players who end up taking contracts overseas but then again, we should really be left with the cream of the crop.
- Contracts to start from 1 November and end 31 October thereby covering player's pre-season training, regular season and participation in the NPC regardless of playing time.

In effect, Super Rugby becomes the NFL of New Zealand rugby.

National Representation - All Blacks, NZ Maori, Sevens, Junior All Blacks
- NZRU pays "top up" salaries to players selected for national duty, i.e. All Blacks, NZ Maori, Sevens, Junior ABs
- 15 established All Blacks, i.e. earned 10 caps, entitled to be contracted wholly and exclusively to NZRU, thereby enabling Super Rugby franchise to contract another player in their place. This measure would ensure our very best stay in the country whilst limiting the cost placed on the NZRU.
- Think central contract system.
  
 

Heineken Cup Quarterfinals

It's a shame I don't have the Rugby Channel as it means I can't follow the Northern Hemisphere's premier rugby competition.

Perhaps it's a good thing given it takes place during cricket/NFL/EPL season.

But the HC is a pretty good competition if not quite up there with Super Rugby.

Anyway, the HC Quarterfinals have been decided after the last of the round robin games was completed overnight.

The teams advancing are:
Munster, Edinburgh, Leinster, Clermont, Saracens, Toulouse, Cardiff Blues, Ulster.

The unlucky second-placed teams that will play in the Challenge Cup as consolation:
Scarlets, Biarritz and Harlequins

Harlequins will probably feel they're the unluckiest having beaten Toulouse in Toulouse and applied the pressure in what was quite a tough group. Having said that, they did lose to Connacht in their last game when they needed to win - Gloucester beat Toulouse in their last game too so they might very well have gone through.

The quarterfinals will be played after the conclusion of the 6 Nations. More on that in the coming week as a new rugby season dawns.

Rugby XV of American/College Footballers

A team of current American footballers - NFL and college - who could be quite awesome at rugby.

1.Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens

The big Tongan defensive tackle has the Ravens' franchise tag for good reason and would make a solid loosehead prop at a massive 330 lb.

2.Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings


Jared Allen broke the record for sacks this season and is a fearsome tackler. He is also the Vikings' leader in defence and is quite good with his hands. He could make a great hooker.

3.Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Suh has been one of the reasons why the Lions broke their long losing duck and made the playoffs. He is a big character on the field and having emigrated to America with his family, certainly has been exposed to the other types of football. Would make a good tight-end prop.

4.Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

At 6ft 5in (1.96m) Megatron is big and tall for a wide receiver and has Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tubeman arms. Would make an awesome lock.

5.Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

Graham played college basketball as well as football and it shows on the field. He's also 6ft 7in (2.01m - about Anthony Boric's height). Therefore, he'd also make a good lock - and do great slam dunks when he scores tries. 

6.JJ Watt, Houston Texans

Impressive rookie who made stunning catch from Andy Dalton to scamper off for the key intercept try in playoff win against Bengals. Very big, promising, athletic defensive player who would be good on the blindside.

7.Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

Jason Pierre-Paul has the longest arms you'll ever see in the NFL. That complimented with his agility means he would be perfect as an openside flanker and able to be a spoiler in the ruck as well as a fetcher. 

8.Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

The best safety in the NFL at the moment with the ability to improvise. Probably has the skills to play in the offence if given the chance. A fearsome player to have at the back of a scrum.
 

9.Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Welker is small by NFL standards but is athletic and versatile with awesome hands - perfect qualities for a halfback.

10.Tom Brady, New England Patriots

I had David Akers in this. Then I saw Tom Brady punt against the Broncos. And he had a great punt. The greatest quarterback since Joe Montana has now qualified as one who can do well at rugby. Well done!

11.Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

Devin Hester is the greatest kickoff returner the NFL has ever seen. In the current climate where wingers have to not only be fast but able to receive kicks, Hester would be brilliant in that respect.

12.Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

I always said Tim Tebow would make a fabulous rugby player with his stealthy and illusive running game and intelligence. Since he can't kick, I've put him in at second-five. 

13.Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

The injured Adrian Peterson will be missed for a while. He is the most violent running back you'll ever see and would make a fabulous centre and give tacklers nightmares. 

14.Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald has amazing hands, is fast and has presence of mind. Perfect for wing.

15.Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

Just like Hester and Fitzgerald, Peterson is fast and can receive and return punt/kicks - more important at fullback too. 

2011 in Review: Rugby Union

2011 will long be remembered fondly by New Zealand rugby fans.

Just as in 1987, New Zealand finished the year as undisputed world champions and the number 1 team in the world.

The excruciating Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and France probably summed up what has been a dramatic and tumultuous year for New Zealand rugby.



A year which began shrouded in tragedy. The Christchurch earthquake of 22 February 2011 would significantly affect its beloved rugby team, the Crusaders, forcing them to play a whole season on the road.

Yes they played some home games in their regional cities like Nelson and Timaru but it was really a season when the Crusaders were the away team all the time. Twickenham and Napier were other "home" venues for the Crusaders.

Yet, the Crusaders defied the odds and only lost to undoubtedly the best Super rugby team of the year, the Reds. The Crusaders couldn't have done anymore against a Reds team inspired by their half combo of Quade Cooper and Will Genia at home in their fortress at Suncorp Stadium.

As it was, Suncorp Stadium would prove to be Australian rugby's fortress with the All Blacks also shot down in their last game before the World Cup.

If only the World Cup had been played in Brisbane.

Make no mistake, the Wallabies have had a magnificent 2011. Yes they may have had a shock loss to Samoa. Yes they lost to Ireland for the first time ever in a World Cup. Yes they lost out to the All Blacks in the semifinal.

But if you look at the Wallabies over the last few seasons, 2011 was the year this young Wallabies side finally came of age.

While questions remain over Quade Cooper as a long term first five, there is no doubt that Will Genia will be Wallabies halfback for years to come and James O'Connor, David Pocock will also be with him to form the basis of a very good and exciting Wallabies team in the future.    

With many All Blacks now into the autumn of their careers, the Wallabies are primed for a new golden era - and it's really up to Steve Hansen now to stop that from happening by nurturing the young talent in New Zealand alongside the regulars for years to come like Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui.

And it has to be said that the future of All Black rugby is brighter than ever. With the World Cup hoodoo off the back of NZ rugby, it'll be interesting to see what the All Blacks will be like. As always there is plenty of young talent coming up and ready to stake their claims for the hallowed black jersey, e.g. Matt Todd, Sam Cane, Luke Braid, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, etc.

As for the Rugby World Cup itself, it was definitely an event to savour. Whether it was the best ever is debatable although it was certainly better than the previous two editions in my opinion. The minnows definitely closed the gap and played their most enterprising rugby at a World Cup yet.

What made RWC 2011 such a great spectacle was the fact that the teams that progressed the furthest were the sides that played the best rugby, including France who were a bit more negative than their usual selves but still had backs capable of spreading the ball out wide.

Just as well as New Zealanders are brought up on giving the ball air and spreading it out wide to score tries and wouldn't tolerate anything less.

So a vintage year of rugby concludes and well done to Harlequins, Leinster, Canterbury, the Reds and the All Blacks on a glorious year.

Just before I post my team of the year, a quick tribute to the likes of Shane Williams, Victor Matfield and Jonny Wilkinson - 3 legends of the game who ended their international rugby careers this season. Enjoy the retirement - definitely will cherish seeing the back of you!







So team of the year?

Tony Woodcock, NZ
Bismarck du Plessis, SA
Nicholas Mas, FRA
James Horwill, AUS
Lionel Nallet, FRA
Jerome Kaino, NZ
Thierry Dusautoir, FRA
Imanol Harinodoquy, FRA
Will Genia, AUS
Dan Carter, NZ
Vincent Clerc, FRA
Ma'a Nonu, NZ
Conrad Smith, NZ
James O'Connor, AUS
Israel Dagg, NZ

Try of the year?

Finally will leave with this picture of glory.. How apt.