EXCLUSIVE: Rugby Faces Major Poaching Crisis as Australia Struggles to Cope

The chairman of World Rugby, Brett Robinson, has acknowledged that the current transfer system lacks the necessary authority to safeguard national bodies against foreign interest in promising young athletes.

As the first Australian in this prominent global rugby role, the former Wallabies flanker expressed his shared concerns with Rugby Australia regarding player recruitment from rival nations during a conversation with Wide World of Sports.

The latest Australian player under scrutiny is Queensland prop Massimo De Lutiis, who has attracted attention from Ireland and Ulster following his eligibility to represent Ireland through his grandmother.

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Australian players making waves abroad include Melbourne’s Sione Tuipulotu, who now captains Scotland; Canberra’s Mack Hansen, who is excelling with Ireland; Louis Lynagh, who is making a mark in the Six Nations for Italy; and the formidable Emmanuel Meafou, who is a crucial member of the French scrum.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that around 30 Australian players aged between 17 and 23 are currently in French academies, including high-profile NRL target Heinz Lemoto.

“Both World Rugby and I are genuinely invested in this matter, particularly the importance of nurturing grassroots rugby at schools, clubs, and within communities, as it ultimately feeds the international game,” Robinson explained during the Hong Kong Sevens.

“As a sport, we must honour this system as it is fundamentally important to our operations,” Robinson noted.

He also revealed that he had productive discussions in February and March with the French Rugby Federation and the National Rugby League, which oversees France’s professional clubs.

“French chairman Florian Grill recognises it as a significant collective challenge, and the LNR (La Ligue Nationale de Rugby) is also aware of the need to address this issue collaboratively,” he added.

“We are currently embarking on a new strategic planning process which includes a review of regulations 4 and 5. This aims to explore the mechanics and costs involved as well as how to appropriately recompense countries that nurture players,” he explained.

Robinson further stated that there is an increasing concern regarding the recruitment of underage athletes who are sent abroad, stressing the need for collective action to protect families and communities.

The issue has been simmering for a year since Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert raised concerns with World Rugby about the influx of financially robust French clubs targeting Australian youth, especially following Visesio Kite’s decision to join La Rochelle.

Kite, a towering 204cm and 147kg, was a standout for Queensland and Australia in the under-16 category before opting to accept a contract in France this February.

“France has the capability to cultivate its players without needing to poach from us at such a young age,” stated Herbert.

“With a population of 70 million, and lacking intense internal competition, they should not need to look elsewhere for talent,” Herbert remarked. “This conversation with World Rugby is ongoing.”

Rugby Australia is advocating for World Rugby to strengthen its regulations to align more closely with the comprehensive transfer market seen in football.

“We do have regulations in place, but they lack the necessary enforcement to effectively fulfil their intended purpose,” noted Robinson.

“Everyone recognises this need, and we are initiating a project involving Rugby Australia, led by Yvonne Nolan, our chief regulatory officer at World Rugby. So, I can assure Herbert that it’s on our agenda,” Robinson concluded.

Sam Worthington’s visit to the 2026 Hong Kong Sevens was made possible by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Cathay Pacific