The Wallabies made huge strides in 2024, but that progress could quickly go to waste unless Rugby Australia gets on the front-foot and in front of its off-contract stars over the coming weeks.
While anyone who played for the Wallabies under Joe Schmidt is locked and loaded for next year’s British and Irish Lions series, roughly half of the men who started for the Wallabies in their nail-biting 22-19 defeat to world No.2 Ireland over the weekend are off contract at the end of 2025.
Those players are Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau, and Tom Wright. Others like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Tane Edmed are also off contract – and both have had strong interest from overseas already.
Regular first-choice hooker Matt Faessler, who missed the final two Tests of the year but has quickly become a rock for the Wallabies since his spectacular rise in 2023, is also set for a big pay increase.
Others like Angus Bell, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini and Tate McDermott are signed long-term with Rugby Australia. Max Jorgensen, too, has committed to the Waratahs until the end of 2026.
But as the Wallabies have routinely discovered in recent years, big-name players don’t necessarily grow on trees and come around every day.
Half of the Wallabies starting side that almost beat Ireland are off contract, including Len Ikitau (L), Tom Wright (2nd left) and Jake Gordon (R). (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Indeed, the Wallabies have still yet to find an adequate replacement for Samu Kerevi since the giant midfielder left on big money to Japan.
RA has never found a replacement for Will Skelton, while talent spotters didn’t have the foresight or patience to take a bet on Emmanuel Meafou.
Other quality youngsters like Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas are on seven-figure deals in Japan, too.
It’s why the next two months will be vital for RA in their quest to continue their rebuilding project under chief-executive Phil Waugh, high performance director Peter Horne and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
While RA won’t be able to keep every off-contract Wallaby, keeping most of them post the Lions, so they can be primed for the home World Cup in 2027, is vital.
There are two things that could slow their progress over the coming weeks.
The first is whether Schmidt decides to extend his time with the Wallabies beyond the Lions, with the head coach’s planning essential in knowing who to prioritise.
The second is the uncertainty of RA’s next broadcast negotiations, with the governing body needing an uplift in its revenue to service all of its needs. And if a deal isn’t signed off with Nine Entertainment over the coming weeks, it’s likely any broadcast deal will run well into next year given Nine’s exclusive negotiations with RA winds up on December 31.
Essentially, though, the reason why RA hasn’t signed a deal yet with Nine is because they’re not satisfied with the figure their current broadcaster has stumped up. It’s hardly a surprise though given World Rugby has already awarded the 2027 World Cup broadcast rights to Nine.
RA CEO Phil Waugh has a big job to ensure Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies stay put in Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Throw in the fact Waugh has spoken about his desire to not overspend on players, as well as new World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson’s concerns about wage inflation, and RA will have a difficult time at the contracting table.
RA has also told relevant parties that they plan to reduce the number of nationally contracted players from 38 to 35. That, of course, can change, but it goes some way in painting the picture of what’s to come. The fact contracting came to a halt over the past month made everyone, including Super Rugby franchises, nervous.
At the same time, RA will recognise that the contracting state of play is occurring ahead of the game’s most significant three years in its history with a home World Cup in 2027 a tournament that could make or break rugby in Australia.
So who are the five players RA must prioritise?
Fraser McReight
One of the first names on Schmidt’s team. McReight has gone from a promising international talent to one of the world’s best. Over the weekend, McReight outplayed 2022 World Rugby player of the year Josh van der Flier after delivering a David Pocock-esque performance at the breakdown.
Fraser McReight was one of the best on the field during the Wallabies’ 22-19 loss to Ireland at Aviva Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Dublin. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
McReight’s ball-in-hand play has always been a feature of his game, but now he’s strong enough to withstand some of the biggest forwards in the game trying to get him off the ball. McReight’s had interest overseas, including in France, and locking down the No.7 will be vital.
Nick Frost
Top-tier international second-rowers are highly sought after, especially ones that can run like Frost. In Cardiff the 206cm showed off his wheels and two weeks later in Dublin he showed that as well as his ability with ball-in-hand by putting away Wilson with a lovely inside ball.
Nick Frost runs with the ball during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Dublin. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Frost’s the tallest lineout jumper in Australia and his prowess at the set-piece has really come to the fore in recent months. RA will have to spend more to keep him.
Tom Wright
RA wisely stumped up the cash last year to keep Wright in Australian rugby. Now, they’ll have to go well over the $650,000 he’s currently on to keep him at home for the World Cup. Wright was the Wallabies’ most improved player in 2024 and started in every Test at fullback. He’s gone from a flight risk to the Wallabies’ most lethal player. Wright’s decision-making has improved out of sight while he’s emerged as a leader after Stephen Larkham handed him more responsibilities for the Brumbies. Given Tom Banks was offered $1.4 million to play in Japan, you get the picture of what Wright could command.
Taniela Tupou
In two decades of international coaching, Mike Cron says he’s never worked with anyone as powerful and explosive as Tupou. Now, it’s about ensuring he’s coached properly and he realises his potential. Although Tupou’s output has been lower than what’s expected over the past two years for a $1.2 million player, injuries and poor environments haven’t helped. Tupou needs stability, meaning and purpose. He should find that under Dan McKellar and Dan Palmer at the Waratahs.
Taniela Tupou on the charge against Ireland in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
While RA won’t want to pay Tupou a seven-figure deal, they should take the gamble and pay him close to that figure given the importance of the 2027 World Cup. After all, World Cups can be won and lost on your props and the Wallabies need a fit and firing Tupou to go deep in the tournament.
Len Ikitau
Dave Rennie’s biggest bolter in his 2020 squad was Len Ikitau. It’s proved to be one of his finest calls. Inexplicably left out of Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad last year, Ikitau has been a rock in the midfield for the Wallabies since debuting in 2021.
Len Ikitau has been one of the Wallabies’ best since 2021, but how much longer will Rugby Australia be able to keep him in Super Rugby? (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
The 26-year-old is currently on massive unders from a remuneration perspective, and unless he’s presented a huge bump, it’s thought Ikitau is considered a big chance to head overseas. A player of Ikitau’s quality, who can play in both midfield roles, could easily demand up to $800,000. He’s unlikely to get anywhere near that though to stay in Australia. Schmidt wouldn’t want to lose Ikitau.
What about the rest?
Noah Lolesio – the fly-half’s improved out of sight in 2024 with the trust Schmidt has shown in the playmaker. A sharp-shooter from the tee, Lolesio started in 11 of 13 Tests for the Wallabies in 2024. That tells you a bit about his importance. RA won’t break the bank for Lolesio, but he’s someone they will want to keep.
Harry Wilson – it’s believed the Wallabies captain isn’t on a national top-up at present. That will have to change to keep Wilson Australian rugby. The back-row is a relative area of strength so RA won’t want to spend overs on the No.8, but they should also be aware of his combination with his Reds teammates McReight and McDermott.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – some big men take years to find their inner beast. That goes for Salakaia-Loto. The 28-year-old has his best four years in front of him and the Wallabies won’t want to lose his brute muscle. Currently on a deal around $600,000, it will take that much to keep him.
