Australia chief rules out sabbaticals
ARU boss Bill Pulver fears that such a move would open the door to a crippling player drain
Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver has given short shrift to calls for contracted Wallabies players to be allowed to take sabbaticals and play overseas, saying the move would risk a crippling player drain.
New Zealand have adopted a sabbatical scheme on a case-by-case basis allowing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and fly half Dan Carter to take a break from playing at home, while centre Ma'a Nonu spent a season in Japan.
Australia, however, says players have to have a full season with a local team before being eligible for national selection.
Look, at the end of the day, we only want people to play rugby in Australia who want to play rugby in Australia
Several former players and pundits have called on the ARU to relax the policy, saying it had done little to discourage players from abandoning their Wallabies careers for big-money deals overseas.
Fullback Israel Folau, the hottest property in Australian rugby, also added his voice to the chorus this week, fanning fears the dual international might leave Australia after next year's World Cup in England, if not sooner.
Pulver, however, said he had "zero appetite" for change.
"Look, at the end of the day, we only want people to play rugby in Australia who want to play rugby in Australia," he said.
"We're not about trying to talk anyone into staying if they don't want to stay. Every player will have to form their own view.