Let players roam freely: O'Neill

[jargan83]

Let players roam freely: O'Neill

From correspondents in Hong Kong

October 31, 2008

AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union boss John O'Neill has called for an open player market between the southern hemisphere powerhouses to help curb an alarming talent drain to Europe.

In a wide-ranging interview on the eve of the historic Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong, O'Neill also urged stubborn South Africa to get its act together for the sake of SANZAR rugby.

He also revealed he'll meet representatives of the Japanese government about scheduling another trans-Tasman encounter in Tokyo in 2010 and nominated Moscow as another possible venue for future fixtures.

But while O'Neill took particular aim at South Africa, laying the blame squarely at their feet for the Super 14 not progressing to a six-team finals format next year, it was his proposal to allow All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies to roam freely between Super 14 clubs that would have most concerned arch rivals New Zealand.

Let players roam freely: O'Neill - Rugby - Fox Sports

[Burgs]

I hope it never happens, I don't even like this years arrangement.
Build your own players, the more local the better and if there is too many then build another team.
There is only a talent drain because of relative wages, SANZAR needs to look at things such as salary caps and generating greater sponsorships to combat the attraction in the NH rather than faffing about with player eligability.

[AndyS]

Yes, we so want to emulate Wales and the way they are so successful at pulling their Test team together.

[Burgs]

The new Argentina?

[TOCC]

There is only a talent drain because of relative wages, SANZAR needs to look at things such as salary caps and generating greater sponsorships to combat the attraction in the NH rather than faffing about with player eligability.

wow, ground breaking stuff... im pretty sure the ARU have being chasing sponsors for years.

Salary Caps are something i think should be looked at in some regard, but that could cause even bigger issues

[Flamethrower]

Tell us your solution to the issue TOCC.