Lack of an Australian deal angers Edmonds
0
Departing ACT Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds is angry there isn't a place for him in Australian rugby a year after he made his Wallabies debut and believes the ARU will regret cutting Super Rugby squad sizes back to 30 next year.
Edmonds revealed yesterday he had been in talks with the Brumbies about staying on in 2012, but the offer had been withdrawn on Tuesday on the instructions of incoming coach Jake White.
That withdrawn offer was for a position outside the full-time squad of 30, which would have effectively made him available to the ACT if either of the fully contracted hookers, Wallaby Steve Moore and soon-to-be-announced recruit Siliva Siliva, were injured.
''The Brumbies weren't going to sign me then two weeks ago said they would, then yesterday they pulled it again,'' Edmonds said.
''[It was because] I need shoulder surgery and won't be ready till January and Jake wants a fully fit team ready for the pre-season.''
Now without a club to go to, Edmonds is largely a victim of his own decision to delay accepting a contract with British club Saracens. The English club had wanted him to undergo necessary shoulder surgery mid-way through the Brumbies' season so he would recover in time for the northern winter, but Edmonds decided to hold off signing in the hope he would make the Wallabies squad for the World Cup.
Ultimately both avenues were abruptly closed when he seriously injured his foot playing for the Brumbies.
Now in limbo until he hears ''yes'' or ''no'' from two New Zealand clubs interested in him, Edmonds has joined a growing chorus against the ARU's reduction in squad sizes. This year the Brumbies, Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs have all suffered injury crises, which in the case of the Waratahs seriously compromised their chances in the semi-finals.
Each club has at times had to resort to calling up club players with little or no experience of professional training and throw them into Super Rugby action.
Next year the situation could be worse as the season is extended by four games but squads cut back from 32 to 30. After protests from Australian coaches, ARU chief executive John O'Neill has said the policy will be reviewed after this season.
But even if squads were expanded, and even if the Brumbies or another Australian team decided to recruit a hooker, it could be too late for Edmonds.
''I still have options overseas, but I'm still waiting to find out more. I'd prefer to stay here in Australia because I'd like to play more Tests, but if there's no Australian team that wants me then I'm going to have to go overseas,'' Edmonds said.
''I'm pretty annoyed [there is no Australian interest], but it comes with the game I guess. For me not to have a contract here in Australia, to put it bluntly, I'm pretty pissed off.''
Edmonds said the ARU's policy of squad reduction was ''not well thought out'', citing the Brumbies' need to use several of its non-professional Academy players this season.
''I don't think it's fair on the teams, they should have at least what they have now. Look at us this year, we've had to look at club players, same as other teams, and those players have to come into the team, train with us for a week or two and hope for the best. They need to be around the professional players in pre-season.''
Edmonds is one of more than a dozen Brumbies leaving the club. While most players have joined new clubs, the futures of departing scrumhalves Patrick Phibbs and Josh Valentine remain unknown.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news...px?storypage=0
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by slomo
