Wallabies to be granted sabbaticals

THE WALLABIES are following the example of the All Blacks and have agreed to allow long- serving players offshore sabbaticals.

The Australian Rugby Union is facing a tough battle to keep its best players which is why it has approved what it calls flexible contracts. Sanctioned by the board, these contracts will allow those deemed to have contributed significantly to the Australian game to play one season offshore in the course of a long- term contract.

This is similar to deals offered to All Blacks such as Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Richie McCaw who were granted permission to take time off and use it as they wanted.

“We’ve recognised that in the context of an increasingly global market for rugby players that we need to take a more flexible approach to player contracting,” said ARU chief executive Bill Pulver. “As such, we need to be proactive and adapt our policies to best serve the interests of Rugby in Australia.

“By adopting a flexible contracting model, we’re creating a platform for our players to experience what rugby has to offer in Australia and abroad, all while maintaining their allegiance to Australian Rugby over a long- term period.

“We’re confident this flexibility will encourage players to make significant long- term commitments to Australian Rugby and help us to minimise the number of players who permanently re- locate to foreign leagues. Decisions regarding all flexible contracts will be made on a case- bycase basis, understanding that our key priority remains that the Qantas Wallabies and Super Rugby provinces to have a strong and deep playing pool of talent available each year.”