The Amount Of Money Ruan Pienaar Turned Down To Stay With Ulster In 2013 Is Ridiculous
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Ruan Pienaar could have trebled his salary but instead chose to stay with Ulster according to David Humphreys.
Former Director of Rugby David Humphreys, who signed Pienaar, said the South African could have have trebled his salary by leaving Ulster. The talented scrumhalf signed a three-year contract extension back in 2013, for a fraction of what he could of earned elsewhere.
Pienaar is now having to leave Ulster because the Irish RFU rejected a proposal to extend his contract due to their succession policy.
Humphreys, now in charge of Premiership club Gloucester, was speaking on a BBC Northern Ireland programme about Pienaar and disagreed with the decision taken by David Nucifora, the IRFU’s Performance Director.
“Throughout European rugby, it was a huge shock that the IRFU would allow someone, who has come and given so much to one club, to leave,” said Humphreys.
“We understand their policy of having local players and making sure the opportunities are there for players to come through.
“But I would argue strongly that in Ruan’s case, when you look at the pathway, he was not blocking any players coming through and for that reason I believe he should have been allowed to finish his career at Ulster.”
Humphreys said that when they had previously sat down to negotiate a new contract in 2013, Pienaar received offers from top club sides in France and England, with Toulon thought to be his likely destination.
“You thought he was going to go when you saw the sort of money he was being offered elsewhere,” added Humphreys.
“Certainly two or three times what Ulster were able to pay him.
“I suppose that is why, when turned round the other way and the opportunity to keep him was there, there’s a sense of huge disappointment that the loyalty he showed to the club has not been reciprocated.”