Leigh Halfpenny still caught in Toulon or Wales row
Negotiations between the Welsh Rugby Union and Europe’s triple champion club have so far failed to solve the impasse. The Welsh Lion’s imminent return has brought the issue over his immediate international future into sharp focus.
Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal revealed yesterday that Halfpenny will return a week earlier than scheduled, against Clermont in Marseilles next Saturday seven days before the holders’ Champions’ Cup quarter-final against Racing in Paris.
When asked about the full-back’s release for the All Black series, Boudjellal brought the conversation to an abrupt end.
He, more than any other club owner, has vowed to make a stand against national Unions demanding automatic release for his players.
Boudjellal warned last August that any international not available for the end-of-season climax would be “looking for another club”.
Rather than do so, Halfpenny has since agreed a new deal, extending his Toulon contract until the end of next season. The thorny matter of international release must have been addressed but the WRU do not know whether their full back and principal goalkicker will be available for the New Zealand trip.
Sources have admitted to The Rugby Paper that his release is “still an issue”, adding, “the WRU are in talks with Toulon, trying to reach an agreement and those discussions are on-going. We hope the matter can be resolved amicably.””
Halfpenny has not played since smashing his knee during the pre-World Cup friendly against Ireland last September.
Welsh demands mean he would be unavailable for the last two rounds of the Top 14 and the play-offs.
The Top 14 schedule clashes with Wales’ money-making fixture against England at Twickenham on May 28 as well as all three Tests against the All Blacks.
Boudjellal wants a run for his money. Halfpenny’s salary at Toulon, reportedly £600,000-a-year, makes him Europe’s third highest-paid players behind his clubmate Matt Giteau (£900,000) and Racing’s Dan Carter (£1.4m).
“It is obvious to me that the clubs who pay the wages should have their stars for the most important dates of the season,” Boudjellal said.
Boudjellal is now calling for the creation of a European Super League.
His plan revolves around a 20-team elite consisting of six from England, six from France and the remaining eight from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The 20 would be split into two divisions of ten with the top from each going into a knock-out semi-final.
He is also recommending an inter-hemisphere tournament, a World Club championship pitting the top four in Europe against the top four in Super Rugby‘s extended 18-team franchise.
PETER JACKSON
