Rugby Confidential: Sunwolves could become a major problem for SANZAAR in 2020

The latest news on the Sunwolves, Will Genia’s contract, the cross-code war for schoolboy star and a star Tahs student. It’s all in Rugby Confidential.

Rebels star Will Genia is likely to knock back any offers from Japanese clubs. Picture: AFP

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University students could be used to play in the Sunwolves team if they’re forced to continue playing in Super Rugby next year.

The mail from Japan is that the cupboard is virtually threadbare to fill their squad after this season.

SANZAAR will confirm on Friday that the Sunwolves will be removed from Super Rugby at the end of the 2020 season.

They will blame Japan’s inability to finance themselves as a key reason.

But under the current broadcast deal, Super Rugby still needs to show 127 games next year, and at this stage it is SANZAAR’s intention to keep the Sunwolves in the competition to fulfil that obligation in 2020, despite the franchise being doomed thereafter.

This will create a ridiculous situation for Super Rugby, because all of the Sunwolves’ best players are contracted to Top League clubs for 2020.

Sunwolves players after their loss to the Reds at the weekend. Picture: Getty Images

With the Top League season clashing with Super Rugby next year, the Sunwolves had hoped to lure some talented foreigners to fill their roster.

But now they’re being booted from the competition, there’s no chance any player good enough to earn a Super contract will join them.

There have already been some whispers from Japan that the Sunwolves will simply refuse to play in 2020, however this seems premature and extreme.

What will particularly worry broadcasters and SANZAAR is the roster the Sunwolves can cobble together for their final year.

Rugby Confidential understands that university students and rookies who have development contracts with Top League sides will be given Sunwolves contracts for 2020. They will attempt to lure any players from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa who are unwanted by other Super teams.

It would be a rag-tag team that would likely be hammered every week, with the possibility of record scorelines and injuries concerning many officials.

The damage done to the reputation of Super Rugby would be enormous.

Understandably, Sunwolves backroom staff are already sending out CVs looking for other jobs.

South Africa, backed by Argentina, have orchestrated the Sunwolves’ removal and while SANZAAR will claim the club could have saved themselves by coming up with the necessary money to remain, the timing of the announcement beggars belief.

With one year to go on the broadcast contract, SANZAAR will have known there was always a chance the Sunwolves would not be able to secure enough money this year.

Having a doomed team then continue to play the following season will make a joke of the competition.

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WILL Genia is tipped to remain in Australian rugby despite links to Japan.

The Wallabies halfback is in demand with Top League clubs, but we understand that Genia prefers to stay here and is looking for a long-term contract.

With a young family, Genia wants to be settled.

There could be a situation where as part of a contract extension with Rugby Australia, Genia could play in the Top League for the 2020-21 season.

Rebels star Will Genia is likely to knock back any offers from Japanese clubs. Picture: AFP

However, RA can’t get too complacent with negotiations, because Genia is in a commanding position.

Easily Australia’s best No.9, Genia is also a valuable commodity in experience.

Nick Phipps has already signed with English club London Irish after the World Cup, while sources suggest that former Wallabies halfback Nic White is set to extend his contract with Exeter.

That leaves the Wallabies massively exposed for experienced halfbacks; Jake Gordon and Joe Powell being the only realistic contenders for starting spots.

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SCHOOLBOY star Luke Reimer has rejected overtures from the South Sydney Rabbitohs and is sticking with rugby.

Reimer has signed a three-year development deal with the Brumbies, ensuring his immediate future is in the 15-man game.

We told you last month that Reimer was in the sights of the Bunnies, after they’d signed teenage rugby sensation Joseph Suaalii and Australian Schools teammate Lachlan Ilias.

But rugby was determined not to lose Reimer and this time won the battle of the codes.

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IN between running the Waratahs’ lineouts, being an integral part of their leadership team and being RUPA president, Damien Fitzpatrick found time to earn his Masters of Business Administration degree.

Fitzpartick graduated this week from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management after two years of intense study.

Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick has earned an MBA. Picture: AAP

“It took me a little while, I’m pretty proud,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It was a very challenging degree to get but it will hold me in good stead for life after rugby.”

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FLOOD-ravaged rugby clubs in Townsville will be given a much-needed boost in coming months as the community reach deep into their pockets.

Rugby Australia is running a fundraising campaign to help stricken clubs whose fields and clubhouses have been damaged by the recent floods.

There will be collection buckets handed around at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday when the Reds host the Brumbies, and again on July 27 when the Wallabies play Argentina at the Brisbane ground.

The Australian Rugby Foundation has already kicked off the campaign with a $10,000 donation.

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GORDON has boosted its 2019 Shute Shield campaign by signing new general manager Shane Sullivan.

Rugby insiders will know Sullivan was the Queensland Reds team manager beside coach Ewen McKenzie in 2012.

He has spent the past two seasons as GM at Brisbane club Norths, and is due to start at Gordon next month.