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South Africa’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, believes that too many transfers abroad will be detrimental to the Irish national team.
Munster announced that former South African star Jason Jenkins would join the province on a one-year deal following the departure of Billy Holland and CJ Stander.
Stander has arguably been Ireland’s most successful ‘project player’, qualifying for the country through residency and winning 51 caps before announcing his retirement.
However, the addition of Jenkins appears to be a short-term solution, and Erasmus, who coached the Limerick-based team for just over a year, understands why there are concerns in Ireland about recruiting foreign players.
Great for South African rugby
“Look, for South Africa, it’s great because he’s on a great high-performance program, they’re paying his salary and he can play for us,” he told the Irish Independent.
“It’s all about balance and I think David Nucifora (IRFU’s chief performance officer) is very aware. There are eight locks, so let’s say four are foreign, now Andy (Farrell) may only have four to choose from.
“Of course Ireland doesn’t have many rugby players. If there are 160 or 180 professionals and that number abroad becomes large, I don’t think it’s bad for the club, but I think it may be for the national cause, it might not be great.
Munster’s great Donncha O’Callaghan was particularly disappointed by Jenkins’ signing, and Ireland’s lock, who played 94 internationals, insisted there is plenty of academy talent to take his places.
Locks give backs a run for their money 💰 Jason Jenkins and Ruan Nortje are a perfect match for this #TestTuesday 🔥💪#BullsFamily@Vodacom #SuperRugbyUnlocked#BULvGRI pic.twitter.com/idLbfwUMkY
– Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) October 13, 2020
“When you’ve lost people like Billy Holland and CJ Stander and there is a gap in the team, for me as a Munster man I would always prefer to plow these blocks with local talents like Thomas Aherne, Paddy Kelly, Cian Hurley, they are players of quality that are coming in, ”O’Callaghan told RTE 2fm’s Game On.
“Honestly, I’d rather have one of us fill the gap, but that’s on the coach’s ticket.
“If they feel like they need additional players from outside, I can understand with CJ and Billy going, there is merit in that on that side, but players who sign one-year contracts?
“I would rather that one of our younger guys had the opportunity to fill that space. It is difficult to take him as a supporter. “
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