THE next phase in the careers of some Wallabies and All Blacks is slowly being confirmed about 10 months ahead of the World Cup, allowing their national coaches to be prepared when the transition comes.
In New Zealand there has been one confirmation so far and this is from Dan Carter, the world’s highest scoring Test player.
Carter, who will be 33 next year, will be joining Paris club Racing Metro in December under a three-year contract said to be worth €1.6 million (RM6.9 million) a year, which will make him the world’s highest paid player.
This will be his second stint in France, following his short-term contract with Perpignan in 2008/09 during which he played in only six matches before being injured.
Other current All Blacks who are expected to play offshore or retire after the RWC are captain Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu while prop Charlie Famuina will be out of contract next year.
New Zealand Rugby would like to see these players decide their commitments early so as not to distract their preparations for the world tournament, where the reigning champions hope to lift the trophy for the first time away from home.
Whatever the decisions of these players, NZ Rugby at least is almost sure the country will lose them after the RWC because of their ages. Except for Famuina, who will be 28 in about a year’s time, the rest will mostly be 34. Mealamu will be the oldest at 36.
To ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, NZ Rugby has decided to extend the contract of coach Steve Hansen until the end of 2017, which is an unprecedented move because whatever happens at the World Cup will be of no consequence.
Across the Tasman Strait, however, the situation doesn’t look encouraging for the Wallabies, with widespread speculation that many of the younger players too will opt to play overseas after the RWC.
Already close to 10 Wallabies have left for overseas in the last two years, many doing so while in their mid-20s or a year or two older.
Among the current squad two — former captain James Horwill and Adam Ashley-Cooper — have already confirmed they will be playing in England and France respectively late next year.
Ashley-Cooper will be 31 next year so his decision isn’t surprising while Horwill has not been able to hold a regular starting place this year.
Of the younger ones, flyhalf Quade Cooper recently re-signed but the 26-year-old with 53 caps decided for now to commit to Australian rugby only for next year.
His good mate, 25-year-old Kurtley Beale, is also expected to re-sign for the same duration.
There is consensus among some ex-Wallabies that because Australia lack the talent depth New Zealand and South Africa have, it’s time the national union change its policy to allow foreign-based players to be considered for Wallaby selection.
Those who quit international rugby in the last two years to play for more money in England, France and Japan include Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Nick Cummins, Digby Ioane, Cooper Vuna and Sitaleki Timani.
Many left Australia when just past their mid-20s and the current form of a few of them suggests that they should still be good enough for international duty.
Despite the past exodus and the one expected after the World Cup, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has said that he is not concerned and would work with the ARU to try and convince players that it’s worth their while to stay home to play the game.
But with money being a big issue for the ARU, it’s going to take more than just loyalty and pride in the jersey to stop some players from leaving.