Will Phillips deal spark pay spiral?
- 23 Feb 07, 03:53 PM
Cardiff - You can always rely on Welsh rugby to throw up something controversial when things are starting to settle down again.
As thoughts turned to beating France rather than beating up the coach and captain, stole the headlines.
It's hard to disagree with the general consensus of wishing Phillips well in negotiating - or having had his agent negotiate - such a big deal, which constitutes a pay rise of anywhere between 拢50,000 and 拢100,000 depending on who you talk to.
All power to the scrum-half's elbow.
And all power to the Ospreys, who are using their financial muscle to buy a player they want, and in so doing have kept a Wales squad member in Wales - Phillips was reportedly attracting interest from England and France.
But, it took Welsh rugby a hard 18 months or so to draw up its "participation agreement" which formalised the relationship between the regions and between the regions and the union.
Regions aren't supposed to try and outbid each other for players, according to a loose gentlemen's agreement.
What precedent has been set? Will other players now seek a pay rise? Will wages spiral out of control, damaging long term investment in the game?
And with Wales struggling for form at an expensive time of year for rugby fans, the timing of the leak could inflame those rumblings of discontent again.
Wales 27-18 England
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Cardiff have been doing this for years, so why the big fuss now that a player is moving from them rather than to them?
All power to the Ospreys - they are the only true region in wales, the other sides are expanded club sides. nothing more. They have the finances and fan base to attract the top players - how much do you think Justin Marshall is earning? more than Phillips I reckon.
Cardiff are blue - and I don't care.
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As a lifelong Cardiff (and now Blues) supporter, it is hard to imagine why any player would have stayed, with the way things are. This really hurts, but the Arms Park is a black hole for players and coaches. The complete apathy and lack of atmosphere must make putting your body on the line a real chore. I don't blame Peter, nor the players, nor Dai. And I dont blame Mike Phillips one bit for going where the money is.
The Blues undoubtedly need a change of direction, led from above, cos the status quo just is not winning over anyone. I go to games with a real dread these days, sorry for the players! And, God, that hurts.
Bring back the Cambridge Blue & Black, change the name to reflect the regional aspect (my personal favourite would be Cardiff Rhondda Regional Rugby Union), or watch us die!
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Welsh rugby once again defies all logic and reason. Paying a world class price for a merely good player shows the idiocy and narrow mindedness of the regional bosses. The WRU should have control of the placement of all Welsh players for the overall good of the Welsh game.
I would have thought also, for that price you could get 3 equal players albeit maybe in different positions, which would really strengthen the perennial disappointment otherwise known as the Ospreys. Remember Iestyn Harries? He never saved the World either.
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So what is Gavin Henson being paid, and what about the rest will this open a can of worms for the O's, and where is the money coming from?
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Well what i enjoy most is Lyn the lip's hypocrisy. For years he has labeled Cardiff cheque book charlies. What we can see is that his criticisms were false, really he was just jealous.
I don't blame Mike phillips for taking the cash, it's a short career. But I do take offence at Mike Burton's involvement. I hope Rugby isn't going the way of footie with agents taking cash out of the game, coz Burton doesn't add anything to the game. A players union is req'd with representatives needed to front for players with cash staying in the game for players benefits.
But most of all I hope the Ospreys dreamteam haven't created a financial nightmare. Those chequebook charlie's ay Lyn.
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Just a note to the Cardiff Blues Supporter who favours the Cardiff Rhondda Etc name for the region.
The Blues Region is supposed to be that and not just serve Cardiff and the Rhondda.
What about residents of the Vale, The Merthyr and Cynon Valleys to name just a few of other areas within the region.
Its this attitude to ignore other areas that have contributed to the state you are in. This includes the Dragons and Scarlets and Dragons whose supporters still refer to them as Llanelli and Newport.
The only region to fully adopt the region ethic seems to be the Ospreys
A former Celtic Warrior supporter
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I agree with much of what's been said: the Ospreys are the only true region, and they have support well outside the Swansea conurbation.
I spent New Year's Eve in Machynlleth and was amazed at the number of Ospreys tops I saw - but not one from any other region. Admitedly there are Scarlets fans in this area, and further north, but if you see a Cardiff or Newport shirt then you know they're visitors.
So merchandising also helps explain the Ospreys' financial clout. And if this means keeping top Welsh players in Wales, and giving us a squad capable of winning in Europe, who can complain?
Well, obviously, the other Welsh regions . . . sorry, clubs.
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Yes Cardiff used to have a rep as cheque books charlies but Cardiff are a side who are now playing in the welsh prem and relying on a very young squad, The Blues are a completly new entity and Dai Young has done a very good job attracting players with a very small budget with at least 6 of our regular 15 at the moment ex-cardiff youth players and that doesn't include 6 or 7 who are injured or on the fringes. for someone to say there is a lack of atmosphere at the ground have you been to the liberty for a ospreys game? there is no-one there. the blues are the best supported region and had the highest attendaces throughout the EDF and first half of the magners league, and the atmosphere at most games is good, although i do agree that it goes flat from time to time, that happens everywhere.
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