Plenty of transfers have already been confirmed for after the World Cup, and lots more are expected to be announced as the year goes on. A host of the Southern Hemisphere’s top talent will come to Europe, and in particular France, as players call time on their international career and chase a few euros before retiring.
Alex Shaw took the time to dig around and came up with a list of all those from Super Rugby who appear* to be out of contract after the World Cup. The majority will likely resign with their franchises, particularly if they are young enough to be targeting the 2019 World Cup.
But in the interest of a bit of purely hypothetical midweek debate, here’s the question: if you could sign one player from the list below for after the World Cup, who would it be? Let us know in the comments.
Super Rugby players out of contract after the World Cup
SA conference: Dean Greyling, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Oupa Mahojé, Heinrich Brüssow, Boom Prinsloo, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux, Robbie Coetzee, Warren Whiteley, Faf de Klerk, Marnitz Boshoff, Tendai Mtawawira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Ryan Kankowski, Cobus Reinach, François Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, SP Marais, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende.
Australian conference: Ben Alexander, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, David Pocock, Tevita Kuridrani, Jesse Mogg, Sam Wykes, Ben McCalman, James Slipper, Saia Faainga, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Will Genia, Dave Dennis, Wycliff Palu, Israel Folau.
New Zealand conference: Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Simon Hickey, Francis Saili, Tevita Li, Lolagi Visinia, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Augustine Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams, Wyatt Crockett, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Kane Hames, Liam Coltman, Nasi Manu, Lima Sopoaga, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith.
*N.B. a quick caveat – we can’t be 100% certain all the names listed are out of contract, as it’s quite difficult to confirm that sort of information in rugby (unlike football) sometimes. But as this is a purely hypothetical exercise, it doesn’t really matter – so crack on!
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
19 replies on “The post-RWC merry-go-round: which marquee name would you sign?”
Easy patrick tuipolitu to bath
My club in Level 6 is desperately short of a lock. I’d like Retallick, but wouldn’t say no to Etzebeth.
I’m a Leicester fan, and if the rumours are true we are losing both Salvi and Tait to France, so id want a 15 and a 7. Willie le roux would be top… It’s never been the Leicester way to splash cash (and he will be in high demand), but with one more salary cap exclusion I can hope! For the 7 there are some serious candidates- Alberts has even linked but I’d see if we could get Pocock- bit of a medical liability but seems to have lost his oz place to Hooper… Liam Gill would also be a shout, along with a few NZ guys like Sam Cane who might feel their international career has stalled and they want to cash in!
Think we will see a lot more South Africans come as that won’t end their international career like it does for NZ and oz.
Alberts is a blindside flanker not an openside. In SA BS’s wear 7 and OS’s six. You need someone like Francois Louw but he’s contracted to Bath.
the short list (and it is not that short):
le Roux, Etzebeth, Alberts, B du Plessis, Vermeulen, Kuridrani, Genia, Folau, most of the NZ conference.
More specific – Quins:
Retalik, Vermeulen, Jannie du Plessis or Etzebeth to bulk out the forwards (in that order of preference)
Genia, Fekitoa?, Nanai-Williams to bring a little to the backs.
Sarries are short of centres and flair in the backs – Conrad Smith! Nick Tomkins’ finishing tutor!
I would hardly say that Conrad Smith has much flair about him, and I don’t think Tomkins needs much help in the finishing department. If you want flair in the backs, Le Roux, or Folau would be nice. Of course we could do with a top class winger, so Savea would be nice!!
Ben McCalman or Victor Vito, strong authoritative back rowers who lead by example. Both players on the periphery of their respective international teams so could be looking to move north. Either them or Robbie Freuan who is hugely underrated.
I am a London Irish fan so I do realise that to expect players of this calibre may be asking a bit too much!
Stockport Rufc could do with a few big name players, mainly as subs,..Etzabeth, Jannie du Plessis, Vermeulen that should do for now 🙂
What a terrible thought…
All these players looking to migrate up north for bi pay packets after the World Cup.
(yes, I know they are not all looking to do this necessarily)
Eben etzebeth for Gloucester please
I’d prefer a FH for Glos but the pickings look slim! Wouldn’t mind Kuridrani to pair with 36
Trying to be realistic (!), Conrad Smith nearly signed for Munster for after the last World Cup (or some noise was made about him doing so) – for that to become a reality would be great, would plug the hole (and then some) that Hanrahan has just made in the centres at least. Frankly can’t see more than one heading Limerick-way at best, though. Mtawarira to beast up the once-mighty Munster scrum would be equally welcome!
Have read on a few different sites this morning that Rob Horne is being lined up as JJ’s replacement
isreal Folau,WillieLeroux,Ryan Crotty,Fran Steyn,Robbie Fruean,Marnitz Boshoff,Will Genia,Duane Vermeulen,Marcel Coetzee,Matt Todd,Eben Etzebeth,Brodie Retallik,Wyat Crocket,Bismark Duplessi,Ben Franks,
Sub’s:Jerome Kaino,Stephen Kitshoff,Willem Alberts,Victor Vito,Conrad Smith,Julien Saves andTim Nanai Williams
I reckon could be replace Japanesse team in super rugby!
I think the English clubs, with the extra salary cap exemption, will look to recruit some real star quality, and cash in on the wave of popularity after the World Cup. Even if these players only come for 2 years and then head back home.
Is it me? Can’t I count? ”If you could sign ONE player from the list below for after the World Cup, who would it be’?” Julian Savea.
Eben Etzebeth to Leinster please!
Aren’t all those SA “conference” players already signed for Saracens?