Australia fires up over French poaching of gun teens, World Rugby asked to police cashed up clubs
Updated . First published at
Australia has complained to World Rugby about cashed up French clubs poaching teenage talent after losing a battle for giant Reds forward Visesio Kite.
The 204cm, 147kg Kite starred for Queensland and Australia at under-16s level before opting to move to France in February to take up a contract with La Rochelle.
Big lock Emmanuel Meafou is another hot prospect that got away and is currently starring for France's senior team.
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Sio Kite has moved to France. Twitter
"It's something that we're talking to World Rugby about because there's more than what's been reported as well, that we're aware of," Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert told reporters after announcing a $36.8m loss at Wednesday's annual general meeting.
"And our view is that France has the ability to produce its own players. They don't need to come and talk to our player agents to try and poach ours at a very young age.
"So there's going to be some discussions at World Rugby level around what is actually allowed to happen in that market.
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Sio Kite was a Reds junior. Twitter
"A population of 70 million, without the major competition that we have in other markets, doesn't need to go to other markets to try and poach players. So it's a live discussion with World Rugby at the moment."
Wide World of Sports asked Herbert how the issue could be policed.
"There has to be, I guess, a coming together on what is allowed and what isn't allowed. At the moment it's something the French clubs - it's not the French federation, it's the French clubs - and they're working directly with player agents here.
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"We don't do it, most other countries don't do it, and so it's something that we'll take up with World Rugby."
RA chief executive Phil Waugh added that the drawn out process to find Joe Schmidt's successor as Wallabies coach should be completed "imminently."
"I've said that to you a few times, so apologies for that, but we just want to get it right," Waugh said.
"Where we are today - compared to where we were 12 months ago - is because we've been very considered around our processes and appointments.
"There's a lot to consider, not just around the head coach of the Wallabies but actually the systems, solutions, around all of rugby.
"We want to give clarity to players, to fans, to supporters, to the Australian public and we're working as quickly as we can.
"But we need to get to the right outcome given the importance of this next cycle and this next coach will take us through to a home Rugby World Cup.
"It's been a very thorough process and we think we're landing in a good spot and we're as keen as you are, to give you an answer sooner rather than later."
Nathan Sharpe has replaced fellow Wallabies great Joe Roff as RA president.
