ARU to announce window for Super signings

[TOCC]

this can only be a good thing

ARU to announce window for Super signings

The Australian Rugby Union is set to announce a specific window for Super rugby signings outside the competition in order to avoid the disruptions of previous years.

Mindful of the situation in 2005 when the Western Force announced their first batch of player signings before the Super season finished, the ARU wants to avoid similar disruptions this year before Melbourne's debut in the 2011 competition.

With ownership of the fifth Australian Super franchise in Melbourne finally settled on today, the ARU is poised to reveal details of their new signings window.

ARU Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, John O'Neill, said there wasn't currently a clear-cut window for Super signings and his organisation wanted to tighten it up.

"We will be introducing a protocol as to when signings can and can't happen," O'Neill said.

"We don't want a repetition of when the Western Force was established.

"It's not good, in the middle of a Super rugby competition halfway through the season (when) you've got a Waratah player standing up, pulling on a Melbourne jersey.

"We'd like to get Super rugby over with before there are any announcements on players being signed."

O'Neill acknowledged the ARU would not be able to stop players and their management negotiating with other franchises before the end of the season.

"It's hard to be entirely prescriptive, people will still negotiate," O'Neill said.

"But they can't announce or they can't then clinically sign players until after the end of Super rugby.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0105-lrx0.html

[Thequeerone]

And yet another article where the woes of the world are blamed on the Force - no wonder we are so parochial

[Burgs]

I guess if at least they learn from THEIR mistakes it is a good thing for the ARU.

[Garfiep]

The transfer window system operates very effectively in European Soccer and this can only be a good thing for Super Rugby.

[Sheikh]

Will the transfer window only be for signings? Or can a team talk to a player outside of the window and then sign him once he window opens. The article doesn't say which, but I'd make it an offence to even talk to a player's agent until after the S14 final.

[beige]

Second option according to the article...