Newly-elected Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) president Damien Fitzpatrick believes the drain of Australian talent overseas can be stemmed and it needn't cost vast sums.
NSW Waratahs hooker Fitzpatrick, who succeeds former teammate and Wallabies lock, Dean Mumm, was involved in the negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement finalised late last year.
In recent years, several prominent players including Wallabies Matt Giteau, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Kane Douglas have opted to join overseas clubs.
While some of those have returned to Australia, younger players like Wallabies backrower Sean McMahon and Reds' back Campbell Magnay have accepted offers to ply their trade for foreign teams.
As someone who played for French club Lyon, 28-year-old Fitzpatrick knows the pros and cons of the issue.
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"I certainly think that players moving overseas is one of the most critical issues facing Australian Rugby at the moment," Fitzpatrick said.
"The fact that everybody is concerned about the game's financial standing doesn't help that.
"We need to understand that improving the experience for all players here can actually go a long way to stopping that drain of talent overseas.
"We can actually initiate meaningful change without having to spend huge amounts of money.
"Having played overseas myself I can understand that there are financial incentives to consider.
"But I also have the first-hand experience that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
"If we can make our high-performance environments here more supportive and holistic for players and their families and protect their off-field wellbeing, I think it will go a long way to changing the mindset of players as they head into contract negotiations."
Wallabies and Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.said Fitzpatrick's approach made him a perfect fit for the RUPA role.
"He has had lots of different experiences and ups and downs throughout his rugby career, so he is well versed in the life of a rugby player," Hooper said.
"(He) has a fantastic knowledge and understanding of the state of the game here and overseas."
