Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper did just that and is currently playing in Japan, but Rodda s RA contract was torn up as he headed to France for a lucrative deal with Lyon. But the 24-year-old Rodda could return to Super Rugby alongside Hooper, albeit without the Rugby Australia top-up deal and on less than half the potential million-a-season offer he could attract in Europe. Depth at lock was one issue highlighted by incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie last season and director of rugby Scott Johnson was frustrated to lose the talent over an issue he believed could have been reconciled. After a season in France they will happily welcome him back into the fold, with the bargain price set and Rodda now effectively able to choose between reported suitors NSW Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and frontrunners Western Force if he wishes to return.
The Wrap: 153 reasons why Waratahs coach Rob Penney must be left alone A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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Consider the following names. It’s a long list, but bear with me; that’s the point.
Malachi Hawkes, Moses Alo-Emile, Paul Alo-Emile, Guy Millar, Dave Lolohea, Emile Tuimavave, Sekope Kepu, Oli Hoskins, Paddy Ryan, Shambeckler Vui, Sam Talakai, Les Makin, Pek Cowan, Tim Metcher, Aidan Ross and Jermaine Ainsley.
Tolu Latu, John Ulugia, Julian Heaven, Sam Kitchen, Effie Ma’afu, Hugh Roach and Lindsay Stevens.
Time for the Reds to shine in 2021 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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For the rugby romantic the Queensland Reds are the most beguiling team in Australian rugby.
You might first think of brilliant sides of the 1970s and 80s with greats like the rampaging Mark Loane, the brilliant wing Brendan Moon and the late great Stan Pilecki. Pilecki was the first Queensland player to play 100 games for the team and his name adorns the annual medal for the best Reds player.
Queensland players were the backbone of the great Wallabies grand slam side of 1984, including mesmerising full back Roger Gould and bulldozing prop Andy McIntyre, while the team was captained by Queensland centre and stalwart Andrew Slack.
The young Aussies to watch overseas in 2021 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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Aussies plying their rugby trade overseas is nothing new, but increasingly it’s our young guns making the move in their prime, ruling them out of Wallabies selection.
This year we’ve started to see a high number of players at the start of their rugby career deciding to take the overseas route for differing reasons.
Let’s take a look some of the young uncapped players Rugby Australia and the Super Rugby AU franchises should keep a close eye on to monitor their development and bring back to our shores down the line.