Rugby Union: Jack to Join Saracens

They will probably win the World Cup, but New Zealand are not getting things all their own way these days. Chris Jack has become the latest All Black to announce his departure for the northern hemisphere after the great crusade in France this autumn. He will be joining Saracens, and his announcement follows hot on the heels of those of Carl Hayman, Byron Kelleher, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Sam Tuitupou, all of them heading to clubs in England or France. Anton Oliver and Rico Gear have also openly admitted that they fancy a move north after the World Cup.

If the English and French clubs are feeling sheepish after their recent tickings off from the great and the good in government of the game, they are not showing it. Indeed, the trend may not concern the New Zealand Rugby Union alone. As the clubs continue to sign up the best players in the world, their power can only be growing, which will not be making the RFU, FFR or IRB feel any better about themselves.

These players would not be heading north if they thought the clubs were in anything other than the strongest of positions. Jack yesterday managed to deflect some of the justification for the move to his wife, who is apparently keen to see the world, even the part of it around Watford, but that will be of small consolation to the rugby folk back in New Zealand, whose union are now in an invidious position. The players leaving, most of whom are far from being of a pensionable age in rugby terms, are excluding themselves from selection for the All Blacks, because at present only players playing in New Zealand are considered. If they were to relax that then more players might feel happy to follow the pound or the euro. But if they do not relax it the All Blacks may become intolerably compromised with loss of these players.

More evidence of French power was forthcoming from Clermont-Ferrand yesterday, where Clermont Auvergne became the first European finalists, their 46-29 win over the Newport Gwent Dragons earning them a spot in the Challenge Cup final, where they will meet the winner of today's other semi-final between Saracens and Bath. It was an excellent, open match played in beautiful sunshine, to which the Dragons contributed fully, never accepting the outcome that had seemed likely from the moment Clermont opened up a 27-5 win after 28 minutes. Tries either side of half time brought the Dragons back into it at 27-19, and they never stopped coming at their hosts even if they never quite threatened the lead.