Nicholas
12-09-2006, 07:43 PM
Top-line Wallabies will be rested for just one match in next season's Super 14 under a model that's in stark contrast to New Zealand's drastic World Cup plans.
The Australian Rugby Union is confident it will announce the states-friendly model in the coming days once Queensland and NSW sign off on the deal.
ARU high-performance manager Pat Wilson told AAP leading Test players would be forced to miss a maximum of one game and it would be at the discretion of the provinces.
"The top nominated players will only be rested from one game on a rotational basis," Wilson said.
"Around that game we will be looking at some rest from training activity as well.
"And the states can nominate which game."
The move, a far cry to the NZRU's controversial decision to rest 22 players from the opening seven rounds of the Super 14, has the blessing of the Western Force and Brumbies.
The Reds appear the only stumbling block with NSW chief Fraser Neill supporting the concept despite asking for minor "tweaking".
Queensland coach Eddie Jones believes his regular Test players - fullback Chris Latham and front-rowers Rodney Blake and Greg Holmes - should be available for all matches, particularly his young props.
"Guys want to play more rugby. One of the reasons we have this new eight-team competition is because we're saying the guys don't play enough rugby," former Test coach Jones said.
"If you look at our squad, young props like Holmes and Blake need as many games and scrums as they can."
The Australian Rugby Union is confident it will announce the states-friendly model in the coming days once Queensland and NSW sign off on the deal.
ARU high-performance manager Pat Wilson told AAP leading Test players would be forced to miss a maximum of one game and it would be at the discretion of the provinces.
"The top nominated players will only be rested from one game on a rotational basis," Wilson said.
"Around that game we will be looking at some rest from training activity as well.
"And the states can nominate which game."
The move, a far cry to the NZRU's controversial decision to rest 22 players from the opening seven rounds of the Super 14, has the blessing of the Western Force and Brumbies.
The Reds appear the only stumbling block with NSW chief Fraser Neill supporting the concept despite asking for minor "tweaking".
Queensland coach Eddie Jones believes his regular Test players - fullback Chris Latham and front-rowers Rodney Blake and Greg Holmes - should be available for all matches, particularly his young props.
"Guys want to play more rugby. One of the reasons we have this new eight-team competition is because we're saying the guys don't play enough rugby," former Test coach Jones said.
"If you look at our squad, young props like Holmes and Blake need as many games and scrums as they can."