The Wallabies might be back on the international map, but the inroads Joe Schmidt has quickly made could go to waste and cost Rugby Australia millions of dollars unless it can quickly address its contracting freeze.
Indeed, as some of the Wallabies’ best turn heads in Great Britain after consecutive wins to start their Grand Slam tour, The Roar understands contracting has ground to a halt in recent months.
It’s left not just the players scratching their heads, but Super Rugby franchises who have been eager to lock away some of their best players beyond next year’s Lions series.
As many as eight regular Wallabies starters, including Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright, are off contract in 2025 and have yet to receive an offer from Rugby Australia. Other Wallabies like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Isaac Kailea and Langi Gleeson are also waiting to hear what RA intends to do.
The development comes as Rugby Australia battles to get its next contracting system off the ground – a matter that has proved a thorn in the backside of the governing body – and tries to secure funding via its next broadcast deal.
The lack of proactiveness in getting on the front foot has been described as “dangerous” by one respected figure heavily involved Australian rugby.
That’s because the majority of clubs around the world start their retention drive in the months either side of Christmas.
It means as Rugby Australia is asleep at the wheel, the rest of the world can get in front of players.
That is already occurring with several Wallabies being offered overseas deals after putting themselves in the front window with their recent performances. Even some who haven’t debuted yet are attracting offers, especially with nations increasingly looking at those who qualify for them.
The fact that the Wallabies have started delivering on the field is only further showcasing the sleeping talent that has been on offer in Australia.
Should the Wallabies continue on their winning ways, RA will face the unfortunate reality that their players are more valuable and expensive than they were a couple of months ago.
Indeed, having recorded just one win in six Rugby Championship fixtures across August and September, Schmidt’s side is remarkably still alive in their quest to become the first Wallabies side in 40 years to win the Grand Slam. If that’s achieved, not just some, but most of the Wallabies will double their potential earnings.
Already some will be expecting substantial pay increases.
Len Ikitau, the unheralded 26-year-old centre, who was extraordinarily overlooked for last year’s World Cup campaign, is believed to be on a deal worth less than $400,000 – one quarter of his new midfield partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s record Rugby Australia deal.
On the evidence of his breathtaking opening two Tests in gold, Ikitau, whose outrageous flick pass to Max Jorgensen got the Wallabies off to a flying start, could attract a seven-figure offer given his proven ability to cover both centre roles.
He’s not alone, with Tom Wright, who is one of the higher paid Wallabies backs in Super Rugby on a deal worth just under $700,00, another could easily demand a seven-figure deal in Japan.
Only two years ago Tom Banks, the rapid fullback who didn’t reach the heights of Wright in Test rugby, commanded a massive $1.4m deal in Japan, while Mark Nawaqanitawase turned down a deal in Japan worth over seven figures to sign with the Roosters last December. Kerevi, who played his first Test for the Wallabies in over a year against Wales, is on a deal worth closer to $1.5m.
That’s the spectre staring RA in the face.
It’s not just the outside backs that will command top dollar either, with halves Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio, who is on a deal around $400,000, establishing themselves as Schmidt’s preferred No.9 and No.10. The loss of either would prove damaging in RA’s plans ahead of the 2027 World Cup after years of chopping and changing in the playmaking positions.
Fraser McReight is another who has cemented himself as the Wallabies’ first-choice openside flanker of the highest order. His Reds back-row teammate Harry Wilson has led the side more than any other player under Schmidt this year and isn’t on a RA top-up deal.
Kailea, the promising young loose-head prop who has been one of the Wallabies’ breakout stars, is on a deal worth less than $200,000.
Frost, who has established himself as a Test regular with massive potential and just turned 25, could also double his deal by leaving Australia.
That’s the reality staring RA in the face by sleeping on the Wallabies, who seemingly have turned the corner under Schmidt.
Winning and creating a positive culture will make it harder for players to turn away from Super Rugby, especially given what’s around the corner, but at the end of the day it’s money that talks.
At the moment, RA doesn’t have much of it. It’s largely why they haven’t been able to act on their soon-to-be free agents.
RA will be desperate that the Wallabies’ winning run continues to help them make a late surge at the broadcast negotiation table, with the governing body desperately needing an uplift on their annual $29m deal. But any deal is more likely months rather than weeks away despite meetings continuing with Nine Entertainment and Stan.
