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It's civil war: southern Rebels want AFL's hottest drawcards
Adrian Proszenko | November 15, 2009
JONNY WILKINSON will top a hit list of potential Melbourne recruits when the new Super 15 franchise starts looking for players.
Melbourne will play in an expanded competition in 2011 after the franchise was given the nod ahead of South Africa's Southern Kings during the week.
The new side, likely to be known as the Rebels, now face the challenge of assembling a competitive team for their inaugural year.
To that end, Melbourne officials want to attract some big-name overseas players. The Sun-Herald has learned England's World Cup hero Wilkinson is their prime target.
Others understood to be on the radar are England lock Steve Borthwick and All Blacks legend Chris Jack.
The signing of Wilkinson, one of the most recognisable figures in world sport, would be a massive coup for a franchise competing against 10 AFL teams, rugby league's Melbourne Storm and the A-League's Melbourne Victory.
''We need to look towards getting high-profile people that are instantly recognised in this market, some big names wherever possible,'' said Gary Gray, the Victorian Rugby Union president, declining to speak of specific players. ''If we can attract a handful of international big names, that would be tremendous.
''We know players move a lot around the world these days and there may be players looking for a change towards the end of their career.
''Melbourne is an attractive place to live. Playing in a new stadium, in a new environment … it might be that a player in their late 20s is looking to revitalise their career. We think that's an attractive option.
''We'd also love to have some high-profile Wallaby names in Melbourne.''
Wilkinson has spent extended periods on the sidelines since potting the winning drop goal in extra time of the 2003 World Cup final against Australia. But when fit, the 30-year-old remains one of the most influential players in world rugby. Melbourne won't be able to match the money he can command at his current French club, Toulon.
Gray, however, believes the franchise will still be an attractive destination for marquee players.
''People may say that some of the bigger names internationally are unaffordable,'' Gray said.
''But I think they underestimate what Melbourne can offer in future job opportunities and business contacts.
''It's not all about money, it's about developing people's careers.''
Gray confirmed that Melbourne would target Aussie Rules stars in an attempt to win over the AFL-obsessed Victorian public.
It's understood that Collingwood's Josh Fraser and Hawthorn's Lance ''Buddy'' Franklin are potential targets.
However, the top priority for the franchise will be finalising its ownership structure and appointing a chief executive and coach. Gray said the latter would not necessarily be an Australian.
''It should be the best coach,'' he said. ''If that happens to be an Australian, that would be a bonus. A non-Australian would not be a problem.''
Melbourne will request significant concessions from the ARU to ensure it can put together a competitive outfit from the outset - chiefly, Gray said, it wanted to have more overseas players eligible to play here.
''To take pressure off the professional [local] pool, a number like 10 to 12 has been talked about, about a third of the squad being available from outside Australia, whether that be New Zealand, Argentina, the United Kingdom, South Africa - wherever the best and most appropriate players can be found.''
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