Paul Lewis: Crusaders transcend Giteau cash grab

One of the most difficult things about rugby's journey into professionalism is that all sorts of elements get mixed up, the most recent being those headbutting, polar opposites - loyalty and money.

There are two current examples: the Matt Giteau case in Australia (Canberra native leaves Brumbies for A$6m payday; fellow Brumby Stephen Larkham says he hopes Giteau one day gives something back to the community which has "given him so much"); and the Justin Marshall case in England (former All Black great doesn't want to play second division so sets about leaving a year before his Leeds contract ends).

Larkham's dig reminds us all that rugby has not yet completely left its amateur days behind. The Brumbies, created in a professional environment, were composed of many players not considered good enough for the old, amateur New South Wales set-up, plus the occasional Queenslander. Their success has been a good, old-fashioned, emotive case of "up yours". They have also created, in quick-smart time, a Brumbies tradition and history.

I do not have a problem with players going with the money. I'd probably do the same, were I lucky enough (or good enough) to be in their shoes. It's a professional game and players with a brief shelf life, particularly in a much more intense game (with the injuries and player turnover to prove it), can never be criticised for chasing the dollar.

Or can they? Marshall drew his share of critics, too. The implication was that he signed on for Leeds' money but spat the dummy when they were relegated. It was clear he wasn't happy to be playing second division rugby in far-off mudholes, watched by only a few stalwarts and people waiting for the pub to open.

So Leeds' not inconsiderable salary was fine when it was premiership but not when obscurity beckoned. Marshall then engaged in a bit of a fishing trip, letting it be known he'd look at coming back to New Zealand. But his phone didn't ring - or, when it did, it didn't have the All Black selectors on the end.

Marshall tends to polarise people but he is an engagingly direct character. He says what he thinks/feels even if, at times, what he thinks and feels are not particularly smart. But he's a breath of fresh air in this rigidly controlled, party-line, PC stuff fans are fed these days, even if we don't always agree with him.

Marshall, ever the competitor, wanted to play at a high level. It was clear from his fruitless fishing trip back here that he still harbours thoughts of the black jersey. But, with no answering tug at the end of his line, he decided to cast in new waters and signed for the Ospreys in the Celtic League instead.

So what price loyalty? There are two ways of looking at this. The first is that the pursuit of cash is paramount and that clubs like Leeds, having paid a mercenary fee for Marshall's services, can hardly be surprised if he decides to chase a better offer. The same can be said of Giteau's move to the Western Force.

The second is that loyalty still has a place. Giteau claims he agonised over his decision to leave Canberra. Marshall plainly still wants to play for New Zealand. The NZRU, with its new collective agreement, have successfully reduced the player drain to Europe by creating a salary level and structure that make it possible for players to build a future by staying and playing here - Reuben Thorne being one of the latest examples.

The answer, as it so often does, lies in the middle. The challenge in professional times is to balance rugby's traditions, loyalty and service among them, with this new world of almighty dollars.

The best example: the Crusaders. They do not stand head and shoulders above all others because they pay the most. They have found the way to keep the Canterbury rugby ethos alive and well, even wearing its flash professional clothes.

They want to win. They want to maintain a proud history. They have a hunger for success outside the size of their wallets. They don't need to pay players like Giteau mega-mega-bucks. As with the All Blacks, they are all too aware of the tradition, the history, past heroes, the fear of losing.

Giteau's corporate-backed super-transfer could be the sign of things to come in rugby, even in New Zealand. It will be fascinating to see how Giteau copes with something that has given many professional footballers in the English Premiership problems - the pressure of living up to a huge transfer fee.

There's just one more thing. When you do go for the money, guys, just say so. It's OK. Giteau maintains it's not about the money. Uh-huh. Yep.

It's cause he just loves the Force. So much...