Days after a father of an emerging rugby star slammed Rugby Australia for allegedly obstructing his son’s move to France, Visesio Kite – the Queensland and Australian under-16s star – has been cleared to sign with La Rochelle.
On Monday, James Kite took to social media and delivered Rugby Australia with a “please explain” post that went viral after his son’s historic move to La Rochelle was delayed.
Needing clearance from club, state and Rugby Australia officials before being able to play in another country, Kite questioned why the governing body hadn’t given the green light for his son’s move to France, especially given the schoolboy sensation, who is 204cm and weighs up 147kg, hadn’t been offered a contract by one of the four remaining Super Rugby franchises.
“A tough decision to move him at the tender age of 16 was made to accept this opportunity of a lifetime and Sio departed Australian shores this February just gone,” James Kite wrote on Facebook. “Should be end of the story….. WRONG.
“Despite repeated efforts to directly obtain his international clearance from Rugby Australia, Rugby Australia did not complete their part of the process and our family later learned indirectly that they were refusing to do so.
“We found out second hand (again another PR failure) they took the matter to World Rugby citing Sio was “poached”.
“Firstly…… YOU CAN’T POACH SOMETHING YOU NEVER CLAIMED IN THE FIRST PLACE!
“After not showing any formal ongoing interest to develop my son, it is reprehensible that Rugby Australia now seeks to obstruct my son’s chances by a Union that was willing to do something they weren’t willing to do, formally commit to his development.”
Photo: Visesio Kite, pictured with his father James, has been cleared to move to La Rochelle. Photo: James Kite
In a statement provided to The Roar, RA said they wanted to check with World Rugby and the French Rugby Federation around the rules and regulations allowing the signing, given the 16-year-old’s defection fell outside the 17-23 year old development window.
RA was also concerned about the well-being of a 16-year-old being headhunted and moving to the other side of the world.
“Rugby Australia received an international player clearance last Tuesday (25th February),” an RA spokesperson told The Roar.
“This is a unique case given the age of the player in question.
“Accordingly, clarification from World Rugby and FFR was sought to gain a complete understanding of the regulations as they pertain to this uncommon set of circumstances.”
While it’s not clear whether World Rugby gave the youngster the green light, the Kite family was given the news they had long craved.
“It’s done son,” James Kite said in a social media post.
“You can chase your dreams now.
“Miss you my boy. ???? ❤️
“…… the clearance has arrived.
“Thank you to everyone for your support. Wouldn’t have been possible without all of your love and people power. Time to go back to my kava bowl.”
A tight-head prop during his school years, The Roar understands Kite is being viewed as a second rower by the 2022-23 European Champions Cup-winning outfit.
Kite will join the La Rochelle academy, whose head coach is Irish great Ronan O’Gara, and become eligible for France in five years if he choses to remain in Europe.
The teenager will spend time learning his craft in the same set up that is home to Wallabies World Cup captain Will Skelton. He will also continue his schooling at the seaside town and sources have told The Roar he has an uncle nearby.
Sio Kite featured in the Australian under-16s team and is 204cm and weights 147kg. Photo: Rugby Australia
Although RA’s pathways have once again been called into question in light of Kite’s public condemnation, The Roar has been told by several sources that the governing body is doing more than ever before to secure the next generation of stars in the face of a competitive sport’s market.
Indeed, the vast majority of the Australian Schoolboys squad that defeated New Zealand Schools last year, including Reds talents Kingsley Uys and Will Ross, have already been signed.
The Roar has been told of a 15-year-old back out of NSW being signed, too.
Kite’s departure, whose decision to head to France comes less than a year after tight-head prop Nepo Leota signed with Parisian glamour club Racing 92 when still at school, comes six weeks after his family notified the Reds that they had agreed to terms with La Rochelle.
