There are certain sporting leagues in various parts of the world that always seem to bring out a degree of cynicism in people when it is announced that a professional will be heading there to ply their trade.
For example, in football, it is the MLS in America, and in rugby, it is Japan Rugby League One. Most of the time, the common theme is that players are accused of chasing financial rewards instead of trophies when they depart the globe's most competitive leagues for what many think is a sideshow half the world away.
As it happens, Lood de Jager is the latest player set to fend off this narrative after it was announced that he would leave Sale Sharks in England to take up residence in Japan. Of course, De Jager will only depart Sale at the end of the season once the Gallagher Premiership Grand Final is played but having been priced at 20/1 in the latest rugby odds from Betfair to win the showpiece at Twickenham, it looks for all money that the South African will leave England not having won any silverware.
THAT OFFLOAD!! ??
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) March 5, 2021
AJ MacGinty how have you found that pass! ?? Superb!
Lood de Jager with the try and Sale in the mood ?? pic.twitter.com/1UrTSouVb9
That’s not to suggest that the lock has endured a tough time in England, far from it, in fact, having helped Sale reach the playoffs for the first time in 15 years last season, but this does appear to be De Jager’s final act in one of the world's most closely fought leagues. Indeed, at 29 years old, the South African has set his eyes on playing in the Land of the Rising Sun during the most productive time in his career which is a decision that will naturally be met with disappointment from clubs and fans alike in South Africa, as well as England. But does De Jager’s choice to head east ultimately mean that he has to lose the respect of the rugby world? On closer inspection, the answer is an emphatic no and his reasoning could even set in motion a new trend in world rugby.
Lood de Jager's Man of the Match performance on his 50th cap for the Springboks was top shelf. ??#RugbyChampionship #RSAvARG #StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/hRnHS4jgAJ
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 24, 2021
Let’s first look at the knock-on financial effect of heading to Japan to play in the county’s top flight. Essentially, persuading players to leave the bright lights of the world’s most prestigious leagues means that any professional deciding to take the leap and play in Japan is going to be remunerated exceptionally well. In most instances, the fee is upwards of a million dollars a season for the game’s most accomplished players. In Brad Barritt’s case back in 2020, the Suntory Sungoliath paid the South African-born player $1.5 million for a season’s work which goes a long way in illustrating the league’s financial pulling power.
Another key point is that the league only runs from January to May which is a very favourable schedule for professionals when you consider that the Premiership in England lasts for as long as 42 weeks. All of a sudden, you can see how appealing a move to Japan would be given that players are paid more whilst also having a drastically reduced playing schedule.
Realistically speaking and in any other walk of life, landing a job that provides this sought-after balance would be commended and celebrated, but for some reason in the world of professional sport, it is frowned upon. Although it should be said that this type of attitude won't bother Lood de Jager as he heads east to begin a new chapter in his career that makes complete sense.
