Rugby Australia has lodged a formal complaint with World Rugby over what it describes as the “poaching” of teenage players by wealthy French clubs.
Chairman Daniel Herbert has called for the international governing body to strengthen its regulations to prevent such practices.
The move comes in the wake of French Top 14 club La Rochelle signing 16-year-old Reds forward Visesio Kite. Reports also suggest that 17-year-old back rower Heinz Lemoto is being pursued by several well-funded French teams.
“We believe France has the capacity to develop its own players and shouldn’t be targeting ours at such a young age,” Herbert told Australian media on Thursday. He also hinted that the issue may be more widespread than currently reported.
Herbert confirmed that discussions with World Rugby are underway regarding what should be permissible in the international market for young talent. “There needs to be alignment around what is and isn’t allowed,” he said.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, multiple national unions have also urged World Rugby to tighten enforcement of existing rules on youth recruitment.
World Rugby’s current regulations prohibit the “unauthorised approach to and/or ‘poaching’ of young players” both within and between national unions. The rules require unions to impose suitable penalties on those who breach these guidelines.
Herbert specifically pointed to the actions of individual French clubs and player agents, rather than the French Rugby Federation itself.
“These clubs are working directly with player agents here in Australia,” he stated. “This is not a practice we engage in, and neither do most other countries. It’s an issue we’re raising with World Rugby.”
REF: REUTERS
