Stephen Moore
Australian veteran hooker Stephan Moore, has backed the trend of foreign league sabbaticals as a way of keeping the Wallabies’s best talent in the country.
With the Australian Rugby Union allowing some Wallabies to take overseas sabbaticals, it could see some international players enjoying an almost constant season – playing Super Rugby, then playing for Australia, then heading to a foreign league like Japan before returning for the next Super Rugby season.
The Brumbies skipper said it was then up to the player himself to ensure he is not indulging in too much rugby, running the risk of burning-out in a long-winded never-ending season.
He had confidence it was something Wallabies coach Michael Cheika would keep an eye on.
“I think it’s just a reality now,” Moore said. “It’s something the ARU have identified as a way of keeping guys in Australia long term, and that’s what we want to do.
“We want to work out ways that guys can fulfil their ambitions whilst maximising their time in Australia. If it means guys have got to go to Japan, then so be it. I’ve got no issue with that.
Moore stipulates though, as long as the player welfare is not be overlooked, he has no problem with players applying their trade overseas.
“The only thing that we need to be careful of is the player welfare – the amount of games and the length of time guys are playing footy.
“But that’s up to the individual to manage and the way they negotiate things.
“Each case will be different, each player will have different priorities and the age of the player – all that type of thing will be taken into consideration. I’ve got full confidence Cheika will work that all out.”
The Brumbies travel to Auckland next to take on the struggling Blues at Eden Park on the weekend.
While the Blues have not won a game this season, their All Black-littered line-up includes players like Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino.
Plus they have toppled the Brumbies once before, beating them 30 / 16 in the final round of the 2012. The Blues were sitting 13th on the Super Rugby log at the time.
Moore is confident going in to the clash, as they were victorious on their previous encounter in the nations capital, but is aware of their star-studded team, albeit a winless team.
“Look at their team on paper, it’s quality isn’t it. That’s how we’ll prepare, we’ll have a good week, and we’re going to have to play our best game to win,” Moore said.
“We’ve gone over there and done well in the past so there’s no reason we can’t do it again.”
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