Millar concerned about NZ player drain
8:34AM Friday December 07, 2007
LONDON - Outgoing International Rugby Board president (IRB) Syd Millar has voiced his concern at the amount of New Zealand and southern hemisphere talent heading to Europe to chase bigger money.
Traditional rugby powers New Zealand, Australia and South Africa could be weakened by this trend, said Millar, who is due to make way for Frenchman Bernard Lapasset on January 1.
"We have New Zealanders and South Africans coming in after the World Cup. That will decimate those strong countries," the 73-year-old Irishman said in an interview posted on the BBC's website today.
"We've got to be very careful we don't upset the balance so they are no longer major countries competing at the top."
All Blacks Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Rico Gear and Luke McAlister and South Africa first five-eighth Butch James have joined English clubs since the World Cup.
John Smit, who captained the Springboks to victory over England in the World Cup final in Paris in October, and fellow forward Victor Matfield are among a number of southern hemisphere players who have joined French clubs.
The IRB is working on an integrated international calendar to reduce to a minimum the club v country clash over the release of players.
"The money is in Europe," said Millar. "The players themselves would rather be at home, they will tell you that themselves.
"There's a huge attraction in coming to Europe. They don't have to travel, they get well paid and have already claimed their All-Black jersey. We've got to be very careful."
Millar was also concerned about the effect of the exodus from the south on the European nations.
"Clubs should really be developing players. We're denying Irishmen or Englishmen or whoever the opportunity of playing if we bring people in," he said.
"You have the example of the English soccer team. It's a huge problem and we've got to be very careful."
Millar was referring to England's failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 soccer finals, which led many critics to blame the high percentage of foreign players at Premier League clubs.
- REUTERS
Giocatori SANZAR in Europa un problema per Syd Millar
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Pukana
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Pukana
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per le istituzioni e' un problema avere cosi' tanti giocatori down under nei campionati europei. Per i club invece una mano santa. Queste le reazioni dei club Gallesi sui "magnifici 7" immigrati di lusso.
NZ rugby's 'magnificent seven' hailed in Wales
22/01/2008 NZPA from Allblacks.com
New Zealand's "magnificent seven" players have been hailed as the key to Wales qualifying two of their regional teams for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals.
The Ospreys and Cardiff Blues have both qualified for the last eight in Europe's elite club competition.
Halftback Justin Marshall and loose forwards Filo Tiatia and Marty Holah will travel with Ospreys to face English club Saracens in early April while No 8 Xavier Rush, fullback Ben Blair, lock Paul Tito and halfback Jason Spice are in the Cardiff team to play Toulouse in France.
Ryan Jones, the new Wales and Ospreys captain, acknowledged the contribution of his clubmates.
"The experience our Kiwis have brought to us has been an inspiration," Jones told the Wales on Sunday newspaper.
"That is why you sign players like that. They have been there and done it and have such a positive effect.
"People talk about too many foreigners but I think our Kiwis have been fantastic for us."
Cardiff captain Rush has recently signed a new three-year deal and he and his compatriots were singled out by coach David Young.
"They have been a massive benefit to us and to Welsh rugby," Young said.
"Our players have learned a lot from them, probably more than they get off us as coaches. These players have played in world-class tournaments alongside and against world-class players.
Former Taranaki and Hurricanes stalwart Tito played down his own contributions.
"I have just come here to do my job and do what I have been doing for the last eight years in New Zealand," he said.
"I think we do bring something.
"You have Xavier Rush and Jason Spice and Justin Marshall and Filo Tiatia playing at eight and nine in both sides.
"But that's why they brought us here and why they pay us the money they do. We are signed to do our job and if we don't they should send us home."
NZ rugby's 'magnificent seven' hailed in Wales
22/01/2008 NZPA from Allblacks.com
New Zealand's "magnificent seven" players have been hailed as the key to Wales qualifying two of their regional teams for the Heineken Cup quarterfinals.
The Ospreys and Cardiff Blues have both qualified for the last eight in Europe's elite club competition.
Halftback Justin Marshall and loose forwards Filo Tiatia and Marty Holah will travel with Ospreys to face English club Saracens in early April while No 8 Xavier Rush, fullback Ben Blair, lock Paul Tito and halfback Jason Spice are in the Cardiff team to play Toulouse in France.
Ryan Jones, the new Wales and Ospreys captain, acknowledged the contribution of his clubmates.
"The experience our Kiwis have brought to us has been an inspiration," Jones told the Wales on Sunday newspaper.
"That is why you sign players like that. They have been there and done it and have such a positive effect.
"People talk about too many foreigners but I think our Kiwis have been fantastic for us."
Cardiff captain Rush has recently signed a new three-year deal and he and his compatriots were singled out by coach David Young.
"They have been a massive benefit to us and to Welsh rugby," Young said.
"Our players have learned a lot from them, probably more than they get off us as coaches. These players have played in world-class tournaments alongside and against world-class players.
Former Taranaki and Hurricanes stalwart Tito played down his own contributions.
"I have just come here to do my job and do what I have been doing for the last eight years in New Zealand," he said.
"I think we do bring something.
"You have Xavier Rush and Jason Spice and Justin Marshall and Filo Tiatia playing at eight and nine in both sides.
"But that's why they brought us here and why they pay us the money they do. We are signed to do our job and if we don't they should send us home."
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Nacewa tops list for foreign headhunters
5:00AM Sunday February 17, 2008
By Gregor Paul
Transfer activity may have cooled in comparison with this time last year but European clubs are still hunting New Zealand players and Isa Nacewa is at the top of many lists.
February and March are historically the months in which the Northern Hemisphere begins headhunting for the coming season.
In 2007, there was frenetic activity as the major clubs scrambled to snare test players who were coming off contract after the World Cup.
That increased transfer activity and desperation to strike while the opportunity existed led to a marked increase in the value of contracts and number of New Zealand players who headed overseas. Early indications are that 2008 will see the player drain continue, but not at the same pace as last year.
David Jones, who represents a number of players, said: "There is still activity in the market. Clubs are still looking for players and are making inquiries all the time. But the level of activity has returned to what I would say are more normal levels."
One man attracting much interest is Nacewa, the Blues back who comes off contract at the end of this year. Toulon, the ambitious French club coached by Tana Umaga, are understood to be the latest to inquire about the 25-year-old.
While it is early days, there is a strong chance Nacewa, who was on the shortlist for New Zealand's player of the year in 2007, will be tempted by a move overseas.
Although Auckland born and bred, Nacewa played for Fiji in the 2003 World Cup, making it on to the field for barely one minute against Scotland. He tried to legally nullify his Fijian appearance and have his New Zealand eligibility restored but the IRB is notoriously difficult to budge.
As a consequence of not being eligible for the All Blacks, he is paid considerably less than many team-mates with less experience and ability. The New Zealand Rugby Union is resolute, though, that it will not pour big sums of cash into the pockets of players who are not able to represent the national team.
The same policy led to another Fijian superstar, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, taking a contract in France in 2004.
Despite being a vital player for the Blues when they won the title in 2003, Caucaunibuca was paid only $75,000 - just $10,000 more than the Super rugby minimum.
It is believed Nacewa is on a slightly better deal than Caucaunibuca but is still paid well below his market value and nowhere near the average Super 14 salary of $200,000.
Toulon have already just about secured promotion to the French first division and have an enormous budget.
5:00AM Sunday February 17, 2008
By Gregor Paul
Transfer activity may have cooled in comparison with this time last year but European clubs are still hunting New Zealand players and Isa Nacewa is at the top of many lists.
February and March are historically the months in which the Northern Hemisphere begins headhunting for the coming season.
In 2007, there was frenetic activity as the major clubs scrambled to snare test players who were coming off contract after the World Cup.
That increased transfer activity and desperation to strike while the opportunity existed led to a marked increase in the value of contracts and number of New Zealand players who headed overseas. Early indications are that 2008 will see the player drain continue, but not at the same pace as last year.
David Jones, who represents a number of players, said: "There is still activity in the market. Clubs are still looking for players and are making inquiries all the time. But the level of activity has returned to what I would say are more normal levels."
One man attracting much interest is Nacewa, the Blues back who comes off contract at the end of this year. Toulon, the ambitious French club coached by Tana Umaga, are understood to be the latest to inquire about the 25-year-old.
While it is early days, there is a strong chance Nacewa, who was on the shortlist for New Zealand's player of the year in 2007, will be tempted by a move overseas.
Although Auckland born and bred, Nacewa played for Fiji in the 2003 World Cup, making it on to the field for barely one minute against Scotland. He tried to legally nullify his Fijian appearance and have his New Zealand eligibility restored but the IRB is notoriously difficult to budge.
As a consequence of not being eligible for the All Blacks, he is paid considerably less than many team-mates with less experience and ability. The New Zealand Rugby Union is resolute, though, that it will not pour big sums of cash into the pockets of players who are not able to represent the national team.
The same policy led to another Fijian superstar, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, taking a contract in France in 2004.
Despite being a vital player for the Blues when they won the title in 2003, Caucaunibuca was paid only $75,000 - just $10,000 more than the Super rugby minimum.
It is believed Nacewa is on a slightly better deal than Caucaunibuca but is still paid well below his market value and nowhere near the average Super 14 salary of $200,000.
Toulon have already just about secured promotion to the French first division and have an enormous budget.