Waugh favours 'free market' system
Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh has come out in support of a marquee player system for the Super 14 and the free movement of players through the Australian, New Zealand and South African franchises.
Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh has come out in support of a marquee player system for the Super 14 and the free movement of players through the Australian, New Zealand and South African franchises.
The two proposals have been mentioned by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as it seeks to freshen up the Super 14 before a new television rights deal has to be negotiated when the current agreement runs out in 2010.
The ARU's SANZAR partners, New Zealand and South Africa, would need to support these proposals, which could also include signing Pacific Island and Argentine players.
This would be a drastic move on SANZAR's part, but could benefit the game in the Southern Hemisphere.
The ARU believes the move would help combat the ever-increasing player drain to wealthy European and Japanese clubs, which has already resulted in Australian rugby losing Wallabies stars Chris Latham and Dan Vickerman.
New Zealand have been the hardest hit, losing All Black stars Luke McAllister, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett, Aaron Mauger, Sam Tuitupou, Rico Gear, Anton Oliver and Byron Kelleher to overseas clubs.
“You want as many good players playing in the competition as you possibly can and as many good players in Australia,” Waugh told rugbyheaven.com.au.
“That's what the public want to see. They want to see top-quality players playing in a good competition.
“So from my point of view, I think that they're talking about limiting how many players you can have, but I think the more the better.”
Asked about the prospect of him running out for the Stormers or Highlanders, Waugh said diplomatically: “I think it boosts the competition.
“There's certainly a place in the game for that, and this competition, the way it's structured, has got the real potential to be one of the great entertaining tournaments of the world, so the more top-class players the better.”
At the Waratahs, Waugh has already lost point-scoring machine Peter Hewat to London Irish and, from next year, Vickerman.
Two more high-profile Waratahs, Rocky Elsom and Wycliff Palu, see their Waratahs contracts coming to an end this year, and Waugh admitted the prospect of losing them was making him decidedly nervous.
“Yeah, I think so. It's tough,” he said. “Success is the most important thing and getting people back through the gates and lifting the interest of rugby.
“If we can do that then we can demand more as players in terms of money. It would be disappointing to lose more guys now that Dan Vickerman's gone, and there may be another couple, so it's important that we keep them to grow rugby again to where it should be,” he said on rugbyheaven.com.au.
The Sharks have been the hardest hit from a South African perspective, losing World Cup heroes John Smit, Percy Montgomery and Buth James to European clubs.
Not only does this dent the Sharks title hopes this year, but the value that these players bring to the squad in terms of nurturing the youngsters cannot be underrated.
Clearly, this player drain will have an affect on the quality of the Super 14, and
although this proposal may not have the rugby purists jumping for joy, something definitely needs to be done to prevent the top Southern Hemisphere players heading north.