The Second Row Mystery- Written By Jed Gillespie

As Australian rugby fans prepare for another Super Rugby season, signings have stacked up for each franchise, yet we haven’t seen any big money spent on the tight five. A quick scroll through the squads will show that Australia doesn’t have the height, depth or talent in the second row that it once did. A true two-meter talent is now a unicorn for Australian rugby, but a given in squads abroad. The expectations have changed at home. A 6 foot 2-4 inch slow blindside is now well and truly play on in the second row. Whilst yes we still have some great men locking into the scrum, it pales in comparison to the squads assembled on the European continent. 

Esportif Intelligence once again released their yearly data breaking down average salaries for starting players across the English Premiership, Guinness Pro 14 and French Top 14. To the surprise of many Australians, second rowers were the highest paid players across both the English Premiership and the Guinness Pro 14. The Top 14 had their wingers at the top of the pay structure, followed by their flyhalves and then second rowers.

With the colourful private ownership of the Top 14 teams inevitably comes some responsibility to put on a show for the fans. A seemingly endless supply of money allows owners to pay the Cheslin Kolbes and Josh Tuisovas of the world significant salaries to put a smile on the faces of the French fans. In fact, Cheslin Kolbe’s 2021 salary alone would account for around 40% of an Australian Super Rugby franchise’s entire budget. But this is a different issue for a different article. 

What we can see quite clearly is that the second row, flyhalf and tighthead prop sit at the top of the priority list for European clubs. Eben Etzebeth, Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, Franco Mostert and our own Will Skelton are just some of the tall timber at the top of the rich list. Whilst Australia doesn’t currently have a top-level tighthead or flyhalf export, these positions are next in line for a pay day with the English pound and French Euro. 

So, we already mentioned Will Skelton as a man abroad we would love to have back, he is only the beginning when it comes to Second Row talent lost across the shores. Kane Douglas, Lopeti Timani, Luke Jones, Rory Arnold, Richie Arnold, Adam Coleman and Rob Simmons wouldn’t hurt the depth of some of the Australian squads. In fact, most of the above would be regarded as a marquee signing domestically. 

Cast your mind back and try to think about the marquee signings for Australian Rugby in the last five years. We had Suliasi Vunivalu on big money for the Reds on the Wing. Marika Koroibete down at the Rebels. The Tahs forked out more than decent wedge for Tepai Moreoa to play a few games in the centers. Jamie Roberts and Kurtley Beale are currently on their way back to NSW as headline signings. Jesse Mogg is back for the Brumbies, however their ability to avoid spending marquee money remains impressive. I could go on for some time, however the point is the money is spent out wide. 

Now think about the less than impressive tight five talent brought across to our shores over the last decade. I think every fan has a name embedded in their memory, a big unit promised as the next Brodie Retallick, only to spend 15 rounds trotting round in the Shute Shield. I won’t be naming and shaming here, as it is not necessary, however the list would be long. 

Big, strong, tall athletes are a one in a million. Europe gets it. Australia doesn’t. Does this translate to our national side? Thank goodness we repealed the “Giteau Law”.