Habana: No calls from Toulon

 

The Springbok wing is one of three Toulon players that are not available for their French club during the Southern hemisphere competition due to an IRB regulation, which has left their wealthy owner frustrated.

 

Bakkies Botha and Pumas loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe are the other players that Toulon are paying while they play for their countries, which prompted Boudjellal to point out that he is 'not here to fund South African and Argentine rugby'.

 

The outburst came after his side's defeat at home to Stade Francais, and Habana admitted that all he has heard about the issue is through media reports, with no word from the man who pays his wages.

 

"He hasn't phoned me, so it is going to be pretty interesting to see how we chat when I get back. 

 

"I think Mourad is disappointed that we can't be there, but unfortunately IRB regulations state that we have to be here with SA Rugby. 

 

"It is something that is out of our hands, it is something we found out about in the media and hopefully we can sort it out amicably as soon as possible," said Habana.

 

The 101-Test veteran said that he has every confidence that SARU will be able to clear the matter up without much more fuss, but added that he can understand Boudjellal's frustrations as well.

 

"SA Rugby have got their hands on the buzzer in terms of the behind-the-scenes administration and I think they definitely are good at what they do.

 

"I can understand where he is coming from, they are paying us a lot of money to go out and represent the clubs and he doesn't have access to us while we are playing the Rugby Championship.

 

"That will be the whole debate between Northern and Southern hemisphere competitions at the moment. We as players just want to go out there and play rugby, whether it is for our club or for our country and hopefully we do that with pride each and every time," added Habana.

 

Whilst Habana can understand why Boudjellal is frustrated, he does not seem fazed by his comments and is expecting to play against Australia at Newlands next weekend.

 

At this stage the rules favour the Springboks, but their policy of picking overseas-based players could well invite similar complications in the future as these sort of rumbling become louder.