Crucial All Blacks Re-signing; the Public Innuendo and Applause

By: |
New Zealand All Blacks Captain's Run

Modern sport has increased the bargaining position of ‘special players’. The ones who can garner interest from other teams/countries, and even other sports. Their signatures are widely sort after, and in the light of two crucial All Blacks re-signing with New Zealand Rugby, there has been much ‘public innuendo and applause’ from all sides.

Crucial All Blacks Re-signing

Sports men or women are today (more) a viable product. The valuable piece of a strategic puzzle which is team sport. Integral to the success of any team, province or country, signing the major stars is a constant battle. When it does happen, the applause is heard widely – “good on them”; ‘they proved their loyalty’ and “kudos to the organization.”

Stakeholders will do well to retain the services and welfare of those players in rugby, league, NBA, NFL or even Formula 1. Conversely, they are an attractive addition to opposition teams, clubs and countries, so are always going to attract offers from your opposition, or from interested parties. What is now more common, is the reporting of that.

So while the sporting public today hear more about the success’s and retention of those men and women, it is a feel-good factor for the sport [cue applause]. An example yesterday, was that New Zealand (NZ) Rugby have eagerly publicized the re-signing of Israel Dagg.

Social Media Now the Forum to Herald Success (and Hearsay)

One of several crucial All Blacks re-signing over this year; along with Ben Smith and Owen Franks, the All Blacks outside back decided to stay with New Zealand. Beauden Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams were other crucial names re-signed, where the ‘wins’ have outnumbered the losses recently.

The public approval, and applause heard across the rugby world was well deserved. Not only for the talented sportsmen, but also for the organizations ability to retain their signatures. That is because they have also lost senior All Blacks just as easily–Aaron Cruden, Charlie Faumuina and Steven Luatua [just announced within the last 24 hours].

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Public announcements are popular moves in most sports. A key signing in any Football, NFL, NBA or Formula 1 team ‘makes a headline’. It gives the fans a feel good story to rest on–often covering up other losses. So when Kevin Durant made the sudden move from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors, it had mass-media exposure on the West Coast of America, and through the sports world.

The bigger the star, the bigger the story. So in rugby, Barrett re-signing in 2016 got far more attention than when TJ Perenara did the same. Both are crucial to the All Blacks success, but Barrett has the exposure. The individual sports persons position of influence is another crucial factor. Durrant is a star, so his move was always going to hold a headline–as did Paul Pogba re-signing with Manchester United FC. Big names, big-news.

And there have been those players who decided to leave NZ Rugby. Departing local shores, current All Black Charlie Faumuina has signed with French rugby. One of the big losses, his signature is one that head coach Steve Hansen will have looked to. The 30 year old made the sensible choice, as did Cruden.

Some Players Are Bigger Losses Than Others

One of the biggest losses recently was Charles Piutau. At the age of 23, he made a decision that stunned NZ Rugby–so much so, that he was sided-stepped from AB selection. The administration felt let down (and in a poor example) Piutau felt obligated to leave in unheralded fashion. A negative reaction, it demonstrated the pitfalls of leaving the ‘nest’ of NZ Rugby.

Note: Piutau is now a star of Pro 12 Rugby with Ulster, where he is enjoying a high profile.

Public Innuendo and ‘Reports’ out of French Rugby

While the applause is still ringing out after Dagg’s re-signing, the reports are still rolling in from France and other attractive markets for rugby players. The use of the word ‘reports’ can be replaced with innuendo–the inference that a player may be discussing their future; which translates into news reports that ‘such and such’ player is thinking of leaving.

A prime example, is Ben Smith. The South Island born outside back was an attractive purchase for French rugby clubs. That he might decide to engage those clubs is between himself, his agent and the particular club. You might expect confidentiality exists, but the murmurings and innuendo saw his name linked with many Top 14 teams. The rugby public were told that ‘negotiations between Smith and French club Pau have been going on for up to three months’. The French club was very keen on getting the outside backs’ signature; and reports of this surfaced at large during the New Year.

LWOR reporter Mike Pulman found that on January 8, Fairfax Media reported that NZ Rugby were prepared to offer Smith a ‘substantial offer’ to stay with the All Blacks. The dollars in question would number nine figures, and possibly more. Lucrative yes, and would reset the market value for players like Cruden and Dagg.

Ultimately, Smith chose the warmth of home. Signing with Otago, the Highlanders and with NZ Rugby. His public announcement again, broadcast via Facebook.

Discussions Do Not Always Translate Into Signatures

On the day that Dagg re-signed until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, players over many sports are in discussions. Agents and managers are inviting offers over many sports, that are at many stages of discussion. Dan Carter is coming off contract with Racing 92, so his aides will be reaching out to the market place. None mean a player is ‘sure to leave’.

In France, Midi-Olympique often focus on these discussions. Some look at it as an indication of impending change. Different rugby media place more focus on these actions, some only receive hearsay and then report it–they suspect that a player is intent on leaving; Ben Smith was apparently ‘close to signing’ yet did not. The surreptitious insinuation is that all players speaking to clubs, must naturally be going to leave. It is rife in Football and often transfers are halted at the last minute, and the public are caught in the middle.

Dagg told RadioSport “We were talking to overseas clubs, you know Japan, and Ireland, France and then NZ Rugby too. It’s been a long process, from July/August of last year,” and he said that he needed to figure it out. Asked what was the more attractive offer, he commented “Japan was probably the better option. Only an 11 hour flight, closer to home and the off-season is much better.”

“There is no doubt that there were some attractive offers to consider.”

For Many Sports People, Family Comes First

Dagg and his wife Daisy are soon to be expecting a baby. The ‘darlings’ of the women’s magazines, that factor helped to finally sway his decision. “Right now I want to do some things with the new Crusaders coaches [Scott Razor Robertson] and I’m signed until after the World Cup,” and he is still enthusiastic about wearing the black jersey. When his competitive juices (his old legs, Dagg jokes) are not quite flowing, then he will likely choose to finish his playing days in Japan.

As players re-commit to their franchise, club and province, the base feature (in regards to NZ rugby) is loyalty. A choice, but also a value. The men in question often demonstrate values that the rugby public hold dear. Dagg and Smith, Barrett and Perenara have stayed with their grassroots, and the rugby public will give a ‘thumbs up’ and say “well done”.

In their decision making, and in announcing the choices they’ve made, more today are active on social media–where fans can interact with players more today. Social interaction if used positively, it can benefit the relationship, but some false reporting can also likely tarnish it. Aaron Cruden was almost pre-empted by the Facebook posts, Tweets and news items, that literally ‘forced him’ to announce his decision. Media now sense a negative energy from the player, and from Chiefs rugby fans.

Widespread Applause For Smith/Dagg in Re-signing

As much as there is a positive response, and the applause can still be heard, the same platforms used to announce signings can also generate unjustified interest and speculation that is so rife today. Where rumour, or innuendo can be detrimental to a players position, it is the negative connotation of professional sports. ‘Reports from French rugby’ or in Dagg’s case Japanese rugby, don’t always pan out. The ever present rugby chequebook can be resented by some, so balance is needed. For NBA players, leaving their franchise can mean becoming a villain to many.

But once all the hearsay and discussion has settled, the signatures are dry, applause can still be heard when a rugby player decides to stay. It happens across all rugby playing nations [star player retention] and considering the status of Ben Smith and Israel Dagg, this reporter thinks they made a wise decision.
“Main photo credit”

Post Views: 17

Saunaka Chases Coral Coast Sevens Title
Fiji CC7s: Telecom Mokosoi Women Retain Title As Taveuni Surprises All