Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels is optimistic that he won't lose either of his Test aces Dane Haylett-Petty or Matt To'omua to overseas stints in the coming years.
On Thursday it was announced that incumbent Wallabies captain and Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper would miss the 2021 Super Rugby season before returning ahead of the Test season and then serve out the remainder of his deal with NSW until the end of 2023.
The news was a blow for the Waratahs who are in desperate need of experienced and Test quality forwards.
Hooper will join Steve Hansen's Toyota Verblitz for the 2021 season where he will lineup alongside former All Blacks captain Kieran Read and be coached by former Waratahs forwards coach Simon Cron.
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The provision of a six-month release was a feature of the interim player pay deal agreed to between the Rugby Union Players Association and Rugby Australia in April for a specified number of current players and followed the COVID-19 health and financial crisis.
Hooper was one of five Australian Super Rugby players that were granted the special dispensation.
The other four were the Rebels' duo and Kurtley Beale and Izack Rodda, but with both the latter Test players already heading offshore it just leaves Haylett-Petty and To'omua to decide whether to take up a six-month deal overseas.
Wessels said the ball was ultimately in the duo's court but added that their decisions may hinge on Rugby Australia's next broadcast deal.
"I've had chats with both of them about it," Wessels admitted.
"Look, both of them are pretty big parts of our team and both are pretty committed on staying at this stage. Depending on where things end up with the pay-deal going forward they may have to make decisions, but I think for now both of those guys are committed to being here which is great."
Given that neither player will likely want to miss the lead up to the 2023 World Cup, Haylett-Petty and To'omua would have to iron out a deal quickly to both be able to enjoy an overseas stint.
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At present, it's understood neither have a deal in the pipeline for 2021 and the mass exodus of players from South Africa, the tightening of budgets duo to COVID-19 and foreign spots in the UK and France means that there are limited spots available for overseas exports.
Asked whether he supported the deal drawn up by RA and RUPA following the outbreak of COVID-19, naturally Wessels said he would want to keep them at the Rebels but could understand why they would consider leaving for a short stint overseas.
"It's a hard one for me because obviously I want those players to be a part of our group," Wessels said.
"Dane's our regular captain and when he's not the playing Matt's the captain so I want to keep both of those guys.
"The way it works is both of them can't go together, so if one did decide to go they'd have to alternate years.
"But as I say they're both pretty honest guys and they're very committed to the team, so we've had multiple conversations with them where they've been pretty transparent about how they're thinking about things and I think their first intention is to want to stay here and we're obviously hopeful that it plays out that way. But if they did decide to make a change for a few months then we'd understand that."
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Meanwhile Hayletty-Petty failed in his bid to return from a leg injury to face the Waratahs on Saturday night.
The news was better for To'omua and fellow Wallaby Jermaine Ainsley, who were both in doubt for the showdown but pulled up well on Wednesday from their main Tuesday session.
Should the Rebels (14) beat the Waratahs (15) in Sydney they will qualify for their maiden Super Rugby AU finals series with one round remaining given NSW have the bye in the final round.
The Rebels take on the Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday August 29, kicking off at 7:15pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here. Buy a Kayo subscription here.
