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British & Irish Lions free agent open to Super Rugby switch
By Ian Cameron
Former Wales and British & Irish Lions player Jonathan Davies has said he is open to a move to Super Rugby after leaving the the Scarlets.
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The 95-cap international – now 36 – has stated he has no plans to retire and is exploring opportunities overseas. Appearing on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast Davies expressed interest in joining Super Rugby indicating he would “love to give it a go.”
Davies has previous international experience including a stint in France with Clermont.
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“No, I’m not at the Scarlets. I’m currently unemployed or in ‘funemployment’, enjoying that at the moment. Hopefully I can find a club because I would like to play on.
“If I can find an opportunity to play somewhere I would definitely give it a go. I would probably look to move out of Welsh rugby, definitely. That’s a tough gig at the moment boys, I have to say. We are not in a great spot and I think it could take a long time to get to where we were and want to be. For me, it’s not abandon ship as such, but I’m looking forward to a new opportunity.”
“I’d love to give it a go [play Super Rugby]. The opportunity to travel is one of the best things about rugby is that it’s given me the chance to see the world.
“To be able to live in a foreign country and play rugby, I did it in France. To do it again – I would definitely consider it. Super Rugby is pretty quick at the moment! At 36, I would probably hang in there, just about. It’s always good to watch, I’ve always watched it [but] I don’t want to hang myself out to dry!”
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Davies debuted in 2009 and played in multiple Six Nations Championships and Rugby World Cups. Davies scored 16 tries for Wales and also played for the British and Irish Lions, earning eight caps across two tours.
In his prime absolutely. At 36, he's not good enough. Super rugby may not be test rugby but it's not retirement twilight in America
In his prime, he was among the best 13s the game has ever seen. But now he’s fallen off a cliff.
This starts to look like a trend. A NH used-to-be wants to extend his career and travel a bit. We’ve seen a couple of cases … none of it worked.
There is enough knowledge and experience already in NZ rugby, no need to knee cap an up and coming prospect by signing the elderly and used up.
He might get some game time with one of the Aussie teams maybe but they should t bother either.
There are a couple of teams who could use a stop gap experienced head.
Blues - I’m not sure the Blues have signed a replacement for Caleb Tangitau (if he hasn’t been let go to make room for Barrett) yet, or whether Reiko is going on sabbatical and/or will remain in the squad.
With exciting young French player Xavi Taele looking destined for higher honors in black, talented breakthrough rookie Cory Evan’s, and a couple of utilities, in AJ Lam and Bryce Heem(even Clarke?), all trying to learn the midfield trade, Williams could be a great aid. The Blues signed key English center Joe Marchant before he was raised to that level, and were possibly in the hunt to bring back the dependable Tele’a from the Highlanders. Possible the main squeeze which would put to bed any signing here would be the battle at 10 with Beauden’s return, and the forcing of Plummer back into the midfield.
Hurricanes - Jordie Barrett is off to Leinster for a sabbatical next year but the more likely signing would be Billy’s brother back in the team.
The Hurricanes are light on the outside with the loss of Salesi Rayasi to the Top 14 and if no quality is found to back up Kini Naholo, the midfield of Sullivan or Proctors could find themselves on the wing and space for a leader to show the Hurricanes three All Black midfield hopefuls (Higgins, Proctor, Umaga-Jensen) how its done.
Highlanders - Rotation is high as usual at the Highlanders and versatility remains a strength with a lot of the squad.
With compatriot Rhys Patchell signing a move to the JRLO, the passing of outside back Connor Garden-Bachop, and confirmed departure of Argentine wing Martin Bogado, the versatility of many of the young backups in the squad could see a veteran 12 like Williams being a strong partner for the robust Tele’a. With hope that the other Umaga-Jensen brother can force him out of the starting lineup, and shifting the sides general Sam Gilbert back into 10, the off-contract midfielder might seen as the perfect option for a squad still looking to fill one back spot.
Bugger off.
36? This says it all. SR is now seen as a gentle retirement holiday.