Wallabies Harry Wilson, Taniela Tupou and Len Ikitau could be the latest big names to ditch Australian rugby as uncertainty over the Giteau Law and the future of Dave Rennie grips the code.
Wilson, who is off contract with the Reds at the end of next year, has not fielded an offer from Rugby Australia since June and last week expressed his frustration after being overlooked for a second consecutive spring tour.
While Queensland teammates Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight look set to stay on at Ballymore after next year’s World Cup, Wilson is disillusioned and considering a move to Europe.
Ikitau, meanwhile, has emerged as a certain starter in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies back line, but speculation over the future of the Giteau Law has delayed the Brumbies centre’s decision about his plans beyond the World Cup.
RA also find themselves in a bind over Tupou, the damaging but injury-plagued prop who is also off contract at the end of 2023. The ‘Tongan Thor’ could attract offers of more than $1.5 million per season in France, where tighthead props are prized, but has been keen to stay in the Australian system where athletes and their families are well supported.
Unfortunately, calf and achilles injuries have interrupted Tupou’s momentum on the field, making it hard for RA to justify paying him top dollar. Talks have stalled, with the 145kg prop likely to have to consider a one- or two-year bridging deal to prove he can get back on the field.
Up in the air: Wallabies Len Ikitau, Harry Wilson and Taniela Tupou are yet to re-sign with Australian rugby beyond the World Cup.Credit:Getty
Adding further uncertainty is that the Rugby Australia board looks set to spend the next two months mired in review mode, with separate probes into the Wallabies injury woes and poor results, plus another revision of the Giteau Law and the expected launch of a new national contracting model.
That’s on top of the hunt for the next Wallabies coach, with RA chairman Hamish McLennan declaring he wanted to orchestrate a reunion between Australian rugby and sacked England coach Eddie Jones, as early as next year.
That means, if Jones is interested, the former Randwick hooker could be brought on board as a consultant to Rennie’s team in the lead up to the World Cup, or even – sensationally – to replace Rennie six months out from the tournament in France.
The uncertainty is trickling down to provincial level, with Wilson and Ikitau holding out on new deals with their clubs and a decision about Tupou’s future also on hold.
Ikitau’s sticking point is understood to be the Giteau Law, with the centre reluctant to commit to a future in Australia beyond 2023 if RA is going to relax its Test eligibility laws anyway. Rennie said at the end of the spring tour that he wanted more than three overseas picks per series for injury contingencies.
Wilson, on the other hand, feels he has been treated poorly by Rennie, who chose to take NSW rookie Langi Gleeson on the spring tour instead of the Reds back rower. The 23-year-old has sat behind starting Test No.8 Rob Valetini for some time but now appears to be drifting further, his lack of “footwork” the consistent complaint.
“I feel as if I did (respond last season), so I’m very frustrated,” Wilson told media in Brisbane last week. “The feeling of not being a part of the group hurts and I think I’m good enough to get back in there.”
Wilson’s plight might not trouble Wallabies fans in NSW but losing him would be a major blow to the Reds. He was the Stan Pilecki medallist this year, scoring five tries. Queensland Rugby will be mulling coach Brad Thorn’s future beyond 2023 and will want to reassure fans and players that brighter days await.
A change of Wallabies coach could be a positive for Wilson, but the back rower knows there are no guarantees. Australian loose forwards and second rowers are in demand in Europe and Japan, with Rory Arnold, Will Skelton, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Sean McMahon just a few examples of Test players playing abroad. RA re-signed 19 players of national interest last year but Ikitau, Tupou and Wilson come off contract at the end of next year.
It will map out a new contracting system for the country’s top 33 to 37 players but is still the subject of debate between the governing body and the Rugby Union Players’ Association.
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