Saffas knocking on Brumbies door
September 10 2008
Following the recent news that Australian Super 14 team would be open to foreign players in the future, the Brumbies seen to be a popular possible destination as "a number of South Africans" have been in contact with the Canberra-based team.
Brumbies Chief Executive Andrew Fagan has confirmed that at least one Springbok and a number of South African-based Super 14 players have "made enquiries" about joining the Brumbies from the end of next season.
The ARU recently changed the rules regarding Australian franchises contracting foreign players, meaning that in the future Australian teams could sign two foreign players provided that the players do not interfere or hamper Wallaby selections.
"They range," Fagan said about the type of South African player who had shown interest.
"We've had a lot from fringe Super 14 players from South Africa and younger players as well as from the [Pacific] Islands. " he told the Canberra Times.
"But also interest from Super 14 and Test players who, via managers, had indicated they would be interested in coming across."
Crucially though, Australia's Super 14 franchises will find out this week how these foreigners will fit into the current ARU payment structure.
It has been suggested that 'marquee' players will be exempt from the current restrictions on Australian players.
The Brumbies have a full team sheet for 2009 so any new players would only be able to "clock in" once the 2009 Super 14 was complete.
Head coach Andy Friend says that he would prefer to buy up-and-comers rather than international stars when they do start searching the player catalogue.
He did not want to give away any names but said that since the ARU announcement he had received several expressions of interest "from quality players" including one this week from a player complete with a DVD of his own on-field performances.
"That's only going to increase," said Friend.
"We're not actively out there searching the market for players at this point in time however we do have managers from different countries sending information of players across, so there's an interest out there for managers and players."
South Africans have been the most interested in joining the Brumbies but Friend, who is a former London Harlequins coach, said that he knew of British players also keen to migrate Down Under