ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday May 12, 2020

Kurtley Beale's big move to France could trigger a law change

Kurtley Beale’s impending move to French rugby could become the norm for the cash-strapped code in Australia and former Wallabies captain Andrew Slack admits the scrapping of the Giteau Law seems the only logical response.

ADVERTISEMENT

NSW Waratahs and Wallabies utility back Beale had his long-touted two-year deal confirmed by the Paris-based Racing 92 on Tuesday morning.

Melbourne Rebels and emerging Wallabies forward Luke Jones will join him at the glamour club from next season, with both set to play in Rugby Australia’s truncated domestic Super Rugby competition before departing.

The move isn’t uncommon, with both players previously enjoying European stints and many others crossing to the NRL or signing rich foreign deals.

But with Rugby Australia seeking a broadcast partner beyond this season and their brittle financial state laid bare it could prove more difficult than normal to retain talent.

GITEAU’S LAW

Presently, only those who have played over 60 Tests and served seven years in Australia can be picked from an overseas club to play for the Wallabies.

ADVERTISEMENT

The rule allowed Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell to play in the 2015 World Cup and would see Beale – who’s played 92 Tests – comfortably qualify if incoming coach Dave Rennie seeks the 31-year-old’s services.

Slack said in an ideal world the best Australian players would be playing on home soil week-to-week, but that “this isn’t an ideal world and it wasn’t one six months ago either”.

“If all those things (contributing to a drop in RA’s finances) hinted at happening do happen then, yes we are in a tight spot and the reality is we will lose people to rugby league or overseas clubs,” he told AAP.

“I’m not exactly sure what could be done about it but we’ve been dealing with that for 50 years and the only thing that may come from it is forgetting about the Giteau Law.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s probably a reality and it’s worked pretty well for the Socceroos.

“Like with the Socceroos, (Rugby Australia would have to) manage a worthwhile domestic competition and an international schedule which allows players from overseas to play.”

Waratahs captain Rob Simmons praised the club’s most-capped player, who also enjoyed a stint with the Rebels on his way to 162 Super Rugby caps.

“We’re going to miss a player like that. It’s huge and this next little bit of competition, whatever does get off the ground will be a good chance for him to really send us off,” he said.

The captain admitted it was “quite daunting” to be confronted by the sorry state of rugby, admitting that he wasn’t sure how players’ contracts would be impacted in the future.

“It’ll be wait and see at what is possible; it is a bit daunting in that sense that guys are going to be looking after their No.1s,” he said of the potential for more player movement.

“Every code’s having their own struggles but everyone’s trying their best and that’s all they can do to get us back to where we were.”

RELATED VIEWING:

Video Spacer

Comments




Related Articles

  • 85 WEEKS AGO

    South African Kurt-Lee Arendse receives limited...

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Fans outraged by the same thing during Argentina...

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Quade Cooper leaves the field with a nasty...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth - including the cameraman

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll ever see' in latest match against Exeter

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Baloucoune shows Andy Farrell what he's missing as the winger tears through Harlequins defence

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations opener

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full length of the pitch try

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Magical sevens try leaves defender stuck in the mud

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The fan reaction to Georgia calling out Wales this Autumn

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    England player ratings: England wake Twickenham up with huge victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible scenes as Italy shock Scotland in Rome

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Awesome scenes as Blitzbok fan throws down at the HSBC SVNS

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Mike Philips recounts crazy night Shane Williams tried to fight Warren Gatland

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Shaun Edwards leaves room silent in new Six Nations documentary with French to English transition

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

View All

Amateur

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 86 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 87 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Danny Care to return to Twickenham for Barbarians match this summer

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Northampton Saints brothers retire a day apart

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Christian Wade proves he still has the X-factor with 50 metre mazy finish for Racing 92

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Tributes paid as World Cup referee looks to hang up boots

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Statement: Danny Care calls time on international career

View All