Toulon bound: Bryan Habana
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed the arrival of South Africa wing Bryan Habana for next season.
The 2007 IRB Player of the Year has been a long-term target for the French side, with Boudjellal appearing to finally get his man.
Speaking to journalists, Boudjellal appeared to confirm that Habana would be arriving at Toulon for the start of the new campaign.
"On a scale of 1-10, I would say 10," said Boudjellal of the likelihood of the deal.
Habana will form part of a world-class backline alongside Matt Giteau, Maxime Mermoz and Frederic Michalak.
Comments
darthbok says...
I dont agree with salary caps --, but I do believe in quota`s -- no club should have more than 4 non domiciled players -- that would keep the domestic game healthy - and the salaries high -- and clubs could not employ vast numbers of international reserves to steamroll through competitions -- if the french carry on with this policy of poaching the best , they will limit their options - their current policy of 70% local lads in the squad is rubbish --it depends on how big the squad is -- if u have a squad of 40 , then you can have 12 international superstars ! and the rest are just tackle bags
Posted 18:25 27th December 2012
Rosbif says...
GCP, 100% agree, the way things are headed in T14 is worrying on so many levels. The Guazzini/Stade debacle is just a recent example. And seeing historically proud local teams like Bayonne struggle with foreign egos is depressing. (At the risk of repeating ourselves!) the lack of French-born players at tight head and fly half is there for all to see.
Oh well. People call it market forces I guess. I would just like to hang onto the notion that, in rugby, you have to be willing to die for your team mates. People still talk about that 1967 Celtic European champ side. Let's hope in 20 years time we don't look back to our rugby champion sides of the 2000s in the same way :-)
Posted 12:50 15th December 2012
GCP_JONES says...
@ Rosbif....
I was making a general point about the team ethos thing, that you can have all the super stars in a squad but there not bonded by anything other than the wage packet and the lifestyle it brings. I do like watching Clermont I believe that they have a sense of that brotherhood the money can't buy.
But whats happening in France can't go on much longer, you have 4 or 5 clubs that have these huge budgets than the others are getting in debt trying to keep up with them.
But soccer should be the last sport that rugby union tries to copy as a way of running the game.
Posted 11:23 15th December 2012
hellovanite says...
JayStarr.... On occasion, and not necessarily with out merit, some have referred to me as a clown. I would feel aggrieved to be fined based on my resemblance to the afore mentioned.
Posted 01:37 15th December 2012
powerplay says...
Latest news is that Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will also be joining Toulon next year too..
As well as ZinZan Brook and Sean Fitzpatrick..
Posted 00:34 15th December 2012
boksmashoffice says...
Good luck to Bryan. He is has been a fantastic servant to date. I am sure he will continue to play for the Boks even if he is abroad. It won't be a bad thing getting European experience before next world cup. Rugby players have a short shelf life. Why not cash in?
Posted 23:53 14th December 2012
Rosbif says...
GCP, I understand what you're saying about Toulon, I really do, but I'm afraid I can't agree with you that Clermont don't have a team ethos (if that's what you were saying?). Winning trophies is not the same as having a team ethos after all. And ASM were runners-up 3 years in a row before finally winning the Brennus 2 years ago with virtually the same team throughout the past 5 seasons, and plenty of academy players coming through....
(Anyway, back to Toulon, I totally agree with what you're saying re footie and $$$ and showbiz. I don't like it one bit either, but I'm afraid there's not much I can do about it, except to join you in not cheering them on)
Posted 22:02 14th December 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
If MB ran a whorehouse it would be your aunt not you niece you'd be worried about meeting.
Posted 20:44 14th December 2012
TVaddict says...
I'm going to wait till the signature is on paper before I form any opinions and I don't think clubs should announce things like this until they have that signature.
Posted 16:25 14th December 2012
GCP_jones says...
@JayStarr...
Thats an insult to Clowns....
Posted 15:56 14th December 2012
JayStarr says...
Habana recently signed a very high paying 2 year contract with Western Province/the Stormers, meaning he will play for them until 2014. Western Province also recently rubished this guy's rumours and Habana himself has thusfar said nothing... If these claims turn out to be untrue this clown should be fined.
Posted 14:36 14th December 2012
Headhunter99 says...
@APV 1 - A recruitment coup of some note imo !!! I know what everyone is saying about the money imbalance but in a quality candidate short labour market the big spenders will prevail.
I do feel a degree of sympathy to our Saffa bretheren but as you say will be good to see him in the T15 and the HC market
Posted 13:37 14th December 2012
Frooschman says...
French clubs have a salary cap of ¿8m. Spend must also be less than 50% of revenues I believe. Which all must mean that French rugby and Toulon are making some serious coin! If they can afford it why not?!
Posted 13:32 14th December 2012
GCP_jones says...
@ nabberuk...
I'm Irish...
@Axax..
The FFR said some time back that they will be introducing a salary cap and also be limiting the amount of foreign players in the clubs squads, so when is this gonna happen?.
You quote soccer and salaries, that is the very reason why we should be doing the exactly the opposite.
Its these vast sums of money that is being thrown around in that "sport" that IMO has ruined it as a spectacle.
Soccer has become more show-business than sport and I for one don't want that to happen to our great game.I don't blame the likes Habana and all the others at Toulon earning a good wage and living in the South of France, but I will not be cheering them on.
I stand by what I said,
Posted 13:05 14th December 2012
Spartacus says...
Salary cap in France - why? If the income is generated then they can spend what they want. If not, then fair enough it is not sustainable.
When I have been to matches in France the crowds have been large, feeling like the whole town/city was in attendance. Personally I think the rugby in Top 14 is much more exciting than that say English Premiership
As for match day quota for number of French qualified players, that is maybe a good idea, but the real problem for France is when players are imported to play in key positions, with fly half being the biggest issue. Maybe this could be remedied by means of bonus league points for teams who field a certain number of France players during the season. That would encourage lesser clubs to develop the talent rather than "buy in" to avoid relegation.
Posted 13:05 14th December 2012
Axax says...
Ah, worth mentioning. The information has not been yet confirmed by Habana himself, and knowing Boudjellal I would be very cautious. This guy is a businessman above all and he knows how to publicize his club.
Posted 12:41 14th December 2012
J_HDK says...
Top 14 needs a salary cap and limit on non-french qualified players in matchday 22 ASAP.
Posted 12:34 14th December 2012
Axax says...
GCP - I don't understand. What do you want to say about the French club budgets? That they are higher so they can afford the best players in the world? Yes, and so what? In football, does anyone complain about Barca or Manchester? No one, but the jealous people. so why would you complain about Toulon? Man, this is called competition! If English or Welsh clubs can't compete, they simply have to change the way they work. Scrap the salary cap, I don't know. Do something, but stop whining. End of story. And only then this so-called madness will end.
Posted 12:32 14th December 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Hmm, top 14 may get the odd Habana vs Ngwenya rematch. Now there's something to think about.
Posted 12:23 14th December 2012
Bones7 says...
Hmm... Habana's been reported to be 'definitely going to' a few clubs in the past, Bayonne being a memorable one. I agree with GCP_jones though, how can clubs be expected to compete with such an imbalance of funds? Premiership sides have less money and are spread more thinly whereas Pro12 sides have 4 sides maximum to worry about per union and Top 14 sides have ridiculous budgets and no salary caps at the top end.
Posted 12:10 14th December 2012