Cheika: All players will find a home after the axe drops

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he will ensure all players who lose their jobs when one of Australia’s five Super Rugby teams is cut from the competition next season are absorbed by the four remaining teams.

Cheika said yesterday he is working with the Australian Rugby Union ( ARU) high performance manager Ben Whitaker to ensure none of Australia’s top players are forced to go overseas to continue their careers.

The ARU is likely to suspend its salary cap for one season to allow the four surviving Super Rugby teams to absorb additional players in 2018. Cheika said with retirements and the departure of foreign players, the number of players looking for new teams would be manageable.

“No one’s going to be told to go anywhere,” Cheika said. “What will happen is a round table to say ‘ what are we going to do with this group of players’ and how [ they] are going to be reallocated.

“The player will always have a choice on what he wants to do.”

The ARU yesterday came in for renewed criticism, when Wallaby great Stirling Mortlock called the delay regarding which team would be cut “a disgrace”.

Mortlock, who played for the Brumbies and Rebels during his Super Rugby career, is also shocked the latter are in the frame for being axed.

The decision was expected to be made on Wednesday or Thursday but it now seems the ARU will delay until next week.

“The length of time this has been drawn out, it is pretty much a disgrace for all the players, coaching staff, supporters, sponsors and everyone involved with all these clubs,” said Mortlock.

“It doesn't sit very well. Extremely disappointing and probably not just what's happening, but probably the way it's going down as well. For rugby to suddenly not be on the rugby landscape in Melbourne is a big no- no in my mind for rugby full stop.”