Wallabies jersey still means more to Aussies than yen

While the Australian Rugby Union are not reluctant to 'export' the Wallabies to Asia, they are more averse to raiding Japanese corporations trying to whip away the cream of their rugby players.

But Australia has been lucky, with very few of its top players being enticed by the power of the yen, says John O'Neill, ARU chief executive officer.

'In real terms, we have lost only one player whom we didn't want to lose and that is Toutai Kefu. All the others have gone to Japan at the tail end of their careers and the loss hasn't had too much of an impact,' O'Neill (pictured) said.

Australia and New Zealand have borne the brunt of raids from the money-rich Japanese corporates who have over the years tempted players to move with huge sponsorship deals. Among the most famous Wallabies to succumb to the yen were flyhalf Stephen Larkham and winger/fullback Joe Roff. Barnstorming No 8 Kefu left at the end of the 2003 season, when he was at his peak.

He had won 60 caps for the Wallabies.

Last month, Stirling Mortlock, the Wallaby captain, reportedly turned down a US$1 million offer to play in Japan and signed a deal with the ARU until 2010.