Latest news with #GiteauLaw
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Schmidt sidesteps Cleary rugby rumours – but confirms Suaalii plan for Lions
Rugby Australia would likely have to stump up an offer bigger than Suaalii's $1.6 million a year, and given the previous blowback within rugby for Suaalii's pay cheque at a time when the code is in major debt, and the historical difficulty of halves making the switch from league to union at the highest levels, informed sources said an RA raid on Cleary was not a likely prospect. Cleary's interest in playing rugby would be more likely to happen if he elected to move to Europe to be closer to football star partner Mary Fowler, and wealthy French rugby clubs came knocking. Industry sources say Cleary would still be unlikely to earn in France what he's on in the NRL, but he could still theoretically play for the Wallabies via that route, through the Giteau Law. Cleary's manager did not return the Herald 's calls on Friday, and a Rugby Australia spokesman said while willing to talk to anyone interested in playing rugby, the national body is content with the players already in its system. Schmidt offered a similar take, after noting Cleary attended famous rugby school in Auckland, Sacred Heart College, when father Ivan was coaching the Warriors. 'He played soccer as a young man, he's played league, so he might want to spread his wings and play another sport,' Schmidt said. 'But at the same time, we've got a really good stock there that we're focused on in the very short term.' Schmidt was more forthcoming about Suaalii's progress in recovering from a broken jaw, and his plan for the former Rooster heading into the British and Irish Test series in July. Suaalii required surgery on a hairline fracture in his jaw in mid-May, suffered against the Reds. RA and the Waratahs said a firmer timeline for his return would be given after four weeks, leaving open the possibility of his Lions preparation being further delayed. But Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said on Thursday that Suaalii was already back in full training – bar contact work – two weeks after his surgery. Loading Schmidt gave a further update that included his plan for Suaalii to play for the Wallabies against Fiji on July 6. There had been speculation the star back may play for the Waratahs against the Lions on July 5 instead, to acclimatise to the patterns of the touring outfit. 'He's working hard and he's looking good going in the right direction to be ready for our Test against Fiji in Newcastle, which will be the ideal warm-up to come up here [to Brisbane] and compete,' Schmidt said.
