Loyalty to team and nation is a prized quality in sport. But in a global marketplace where competition is tough and the bidding is intense, has the money become the new big prize?
Should former Springbok Johan Goosen eventually turn out for French outfit Montpellier, which is strongly rumoured to be on the cards, he really would have taken the getting out of a contract to new levels.
Goosen has not played rugby since he suddenly “retired from the game” at the end of 2016. This was widely perceived as a desperate attempt to get out of his Racing 92 contract, which he himself had extended until 2020, at an increased salary of €500,000 per season.
Not a bad gig, you might think. But at the time it was speculated that Montpellier owner Mohel Altrad had offered him a better deal, and that, together with the arrival of living legend Dan Carter at Racing to threaten his game time, Goosen suddenly seemed keen to jump ship.
But for that pesky contract! So he retired from rugby, at the ripe old age of 26, while fully fit.
“In response to Johan Goosen’s behaviour,” says the statement from Racing, who at the time were threatening legal action against Goosen, “Racing 92 is forced to initiate several legal proceedings aimed at enforcing its rights and redressing the harm done to the club. Racing 92 believes that the club is a victim of blatant fraud which Johan Goosen, his associates and various advisers must answer for in court.”
But Goosen didn’t pitch for the 2017 season, instead spending the year in South Africa. And Racing, perhaps appeased by their signing of Pat Lambie to replace him, didn’t sue.
But now Altrad has been quoted by French newspaper Midi Olympique as saying “there is a 30% chance” of Goosen turning out for Montpellier this year!
What was that about contracts not being worth the weight of the paper they are written on?
And while us mere mortals also have the choice to contract ourselves out, normally at a better rate of remuneration, we also have the choice to seek the security that comes with permanent employment, albeit with less cash in hand every month.
Player unions may have gained some ground in the battle between the match fee model that sees players only earning money when they are in the match day 23, and the longer term contract model that sees players earning a monthly fee no matter the weekly selections, the fact of the matter is that the modern day pro rugby player only has the contracting model to choose from.
So given the limited amount of years that a pro player has to cash in on his God given talent and avalanche of hours at training, one can understand their want to earn as much as they can via the most lucrative contract on offer.
Gone are the days of young players “waiting their turn” behind experienced stalwarts at their so called “Home” union, or union of origin. Instead, contract discussions with parents begin at U16, often resulting in players moving to unions afar in their first year out of school. This in the pursuit of promised game time, but mostly, cold hard lucre!
Throw in the influence of agents, some more interested in their commission on a deal than the well-being of the player, and the concept of loyalty seems an anachronism from a bygone era.
That earning foreign currency is an option, hence younger players taking up overseas contracts, adds another level of complexity, but I do find it all a bit sad.
As a young player waiting my turn at Western Province, I learnt so much from the likes of Keith Andrews, Tommie Loubscher, Toks van der Linde and Garry Pagel, all of whom were either Springboks at the time, or went on to don the Green and Gold. Sure, coaches can teach you the game, but hanging out with legends like these guys teaches you so much more.
Yes it’s about earning money, but in a team sport like rugby, it’s also about understanding – and respecting – the rich culture and traditions. Today’s youngsters could do with a few years of mentoring before taking up that all important contract.
And perhaps, even a little loyalty to said mentors.
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