Game of Zones: The danger of selecting overseas based players

What a way to end a glittering career earning big bucks on the European rugby circuit. Good money, a continental lifestyle mixing it with old rugby comrades – it doesn’t get much better than that. What more could any player past their best hope for – a test recall perhaps?

Mitchell and Giteau Toulon

For anyone who thinks that selecting overseas players to fill gaps in test teams is a good idea, they should take note of what happened to Frans Steyn and George Smith. Two of the best in their heyday and great champions for their respective countries – that was back then. Both went north for the big money and who could blame them, so why not just bow out, take the money and live happily ever after?

In the world of politics, fame and fortune nothing is that simple. How could anyone resist the call to arms if the urge was there and the deal was right? Who wouldn’t want a last hoorah in the test arena just to prove they still have what it takes? With Steyn and Smith in mind, there is good reason to suggest that returning to play for your country is fraught with uncertainty and angst and it has much to do about the disconnect between player’s agents, players egos and the politics of money. Past glories die hard, agent fees go up and personal egos need to be massaged and maintained.

In the mercenary horse trading “meat” market of professional rugby where money talks and all else comes second, it is understandable that saying yes to the national selectors who come calling is just another deal to be made. After all, players are commodities to be traded like other products so who really cares where the money comes from? Players ought to remind themselves why they left or retired in the first place.

A lesson from history is a good place to start. Captain James Cook in all his imperial glory returned for a second time and overstayed his welcome in Hawaii – it all came to a sad and deadly end. 17th century exploration is not professional rugby but the message is clear…when you go, stay gone!

George SmithSmith’s experiment in particular turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. He was brought back to international service well short of a trot and he paid the price. Knocked out cold early in the last test against the 2013 British and Irish Lions and he ultimately limped through the game to a sorry end. Off the pace and out of sync, a comeback better off forgotten.

 

Steyn, the young gun who starred for South Africa as a 20 year old at the 2007 RWC is a different case but equally as puzzling.His comeback was less of a disaster than a travesty. Racked by contractual and injury problems he was never quite the same player, selected and keen to go he inexplicably withdrew from the Springboks at the last minute. Spreading himself between South Africa and Europe had taken its toll and at 27 years old he is more or less finished as a first class player.

The shame of it all but in both cases momentum had been lost. Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell have been recalled from Europe as part of the ARU’s new selection policy of recruiting overseas players. All cashed up and rearing to go, both players will feel chuffed to know they are still valued by the Wallaby selectors.

Another bite at the cherry, fame and fortune and in a World Cup year what more could they want? But what does it say about the current stock of players in Australia? Not very much and there is a distinct element of desperation that indicates Australia need these players in order to win. Here is the rub.

There is no doubt that Giteau and Mitchell had been playing well up north but test rugby is a step up from the lumbering set piece oriented competition in France. Perhaps they can resurrect new form and storm the World Cup in London but even so, it is a gamble and a risk. Let us reflect on what’s ahead for them. Test rugby 2015 is a cruel beast and not to be drifted in and out of. Players have to be at their physical and mental peak in order to adjust to the furious pace and big hits of international rugby.

Matt Giteau

European club rugby is not exactly test rugby and unless they hit the ground running, they will be mince meet for the All Blacks and Springboks. There are other detrimental effects of selecting overseas players. It sends out a poor message and the message is this – young and promising up and comers beware – not only will you have to prove yourself on form but you must negotiate the selection politics and make way if overseas players are chosen ahead of you.

The question is what value is there in young players remaining at home when they have the option of going offshore to earn money with the prospect of still being selected down the line? Secondly and most importantly is that throwing princes among paupers may well generate a divisive “us and them” situation.

Returning players all cashed up may bring old baggage and politics with them. And while they may be professional enough to toe the line, old allegiances coupled with a new coaching regime might not be good for cohesion. Time will tell what affect selecting overseas players will have in the long run but one thing is for sure. If the overseas players don’t produce results then the whole policy must be questioned. Lest we forget that there are no second prizes and winning is what test rugby is all about.