The problems facing Australian Rugby are many and numerous but a largely unmentioned issue would appear to be letting outstanding Australia-qualified and Aussie reared players escape to other countries because they only have limited players to start with. I am indebted to Daniel Leo who started a list of such players at the World Cup which others added to on social media.
We have seven Samoa players: Seilala Lam (Randwick), Paul Alo-Emile (Rebels), UJ Seuteni (Reds), Nigel Ah Wong ( Reds), Sama Malolo (Southern Districts), Michael Ala'alatoa Waratahs) and Duncan Paia'aua (Reds); then there are four in the Fiji squad: Isoa Nasilasila (Southern District), Waisea Nayacalevu (Melbourne), Albert Tuisue (West Harbour) and Teti Tela (Brisbane), while Ireland have former Australia U20 and Brumbies wing Mack Hansen.
Scotland benefit from former Aussie flanker Jack Dempsey (Waratahs) and Sione Tuipulotu (Rebels); Italy look to Melbourne-born and Brisbane raised Monty Ioane, Namibia to former Wallaby flanker Richard Hardwick and there are three Aussies in the Japan squad – Queensland's Jack Cornelsen, New South Walean Ben Gunter and former Aussie U20 cap Dylan Riley.
