League Converts, News Limited, and Hair Cuts

Okay, so it has been a while since the last post to this blog, however given the raft of games that we had just struggled through, and the length of the competition this year, you will, I am sure, forgive me for taking a little time off to recover from the rigours of the professional era. And the players reckon they have it tough! Take a moment to congratulate yourselves for making it through such a demanding season. You all should give yourselves a pat on the back, or the beer belly if that is the only thing you can reach! The season takes its toll on the best of us that way sometimes! If News Limited have their way then we should expect more and more rugby to get through each year. I'm not sure about you all, but I think I am up for it! Doctor says I shouldn't however!

Okay, so the slightly delayed news is that Mat Rogers is going back to Rugby League. In addition, Lote Tuqiri has also revealed that League is his first love and if he had the chance to go back, then he would probably take it. Is this desertion? Is this bad for Rugby Union? Should there be some sort of consequence of such out in the open talk of defecting to the dark side? Many Aussie commentators are suggesting that very thing in the wake of these 'surprise' anouncements.

Right. Whatever. Who do they think they are kidding? I agree with Fitzsimons (hold the front page) who rightly points out that the cheque book did the talking in getting these players to convert from NRL to Union, and clearly that is all that is happening here. Rogers couldn't force his way back into a starting jersey in the Wallaby team this year, and it wasn't looking like he would be able to reliably play in the national side from this point. Full marks for heading to the Gold Coast to play for them in 2008. A challenged, and he'll bring a lot to that team. Note that the Wallabies still have his services for the World Cup next year - beyond that who would want him anyway? He's too old, already struggling to hold a place in a star studded team. Bring through the newbies.

Tuqiri is in a different position. For a start, he is currently, or soon going to be negotiating his contract for the coming years. So, why not hint at a defection? It will, or at least might, bring in some higher competitive offers that the winger might think of taking. However, he knows which side his bread is buttered on, and in this age of rampant professionalism what else can we expect from the chequebook converters? They will do all they can to maximise their earnings while they have the chance, and why shouldn't they? There is no question of loyalty here, or rather disloyalty. The fact is that in Lote's case, he has also largely served his purpose. He'll be good for the world cup, and then after that they ought to be looking elsewhere, and saving their pingers for the next set of chequebook converters.

It wasn't that long ago that the New Zealand rugby player ranks were being decimated by Rugby League chequebook wielding scouts, who secured repeated defections to league. It is good to see the shoe on the other foot, with Rugby Union moving away from the utopian fools paradise that was the so called amateur status of the game. I say so called, as almost everyone was doing what they could to make it professional in every way, except by name. That battle is long over now, so why bring it up in the context of high profile players anouncing their intentions and using the media to their own ends. Interesting that it has only happened in Australia so far....why is that I wonder? Player development an issue perchance? Aussie certainly don't have a lot of depth, or many exciting new players coming into the game through their own ranks.

Not much else to report. New Zealand is right into the domestic season, and Aussie seems content to muddle through the domestic competition it has never had with the Australian Provincial Championship. Eddie Jones has labelled this a waste of time, and it is hard not to agree wtih him this time given that it is a one off competition between the super 14 franchise teams, and will be replaced with the 8 team national tournament from next year. In any event, apparently the Brumbies are winning, with the Force and Reds in second place. Yawn. I wonder if this is related to the above issues? Not according to Greg Gowden and other analysts of the game here.

No doubt you will all recall the discussion on this blog about the News Limited reaction to the NZRFU anouncing that All Blacks will be rested during the first seven rounds of next years Super 14 competition. Grant Fox has waded into the issue with a few points of his own, many of which were canvassed here earlier, but Fox has included a number of additional points. The article is worth a read, and can be found by clicking here.

Well, that's about it for now. In closing, I am sure that you will all gree that it is good news that George Smith has finally had a hair cut. Fair enough doing that sort of thing for charity, but I wonder if the attention it got this season has finally caused him to consider whether having dreads is really the best thing for a professional rugby player. It is, in the words of the All Blacks coaching staff, asking for it and on more than one occaision he has gotten it. In any event, with the new do we'll have to think of different contenders for worst hairdo in Super 14. Methinks mullet man Eaton would win that hands down! Check back soon for more updates.