“I thought our relationship is fine,and then he said what he said in the media. I respect him highly as a player and as a coach and I don’t have anything bad to say about him as a player or as a coach,” Rodda said.

“I haven’t spoken to him,but I am a nice guy,and he is as well. I guess if cross paths on the weekend we would have a chat. I don’t think there is any bad blood there,or I would like to think there’s no bad blood. I wouldn’t mind speaking to Thorny,he is a great guy.”

Rodda’s value to the Force and Rugby Australia - particularly in their current state as a net exporter of quality locks - saw him get a significant pay rise from his initial $300,000 salary,but still under what he could get paid on the global market.

Having made Rodda a first-choice lock quickly last year,Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said in a statement that the value of the 25-year-old’s commitment “couldn’t be understated”. Rodda has 34 Wallabies caps and with Rory Arnold staying overseas - andpotentially not a lock for one of only three Giteau Law picks - Rennie will build his middle row around Rodda

Wanting to stay in Perth,NSW-raised Rodda said didn’t speak with other clubs about a move. And after RA tightened the Giteau Law rules last week,Rodda said the value of the Wallabies jersey was still a powerful lure for players to return - or stay - in Australia.

“For people who are staying year-in,year-out,people don’t understand they’re getting massive offers overseas and I think it shows how much they truly value the jersey,” he said.

“I have been pretty clear that I wanted to play for my country. I guess it was at a point in my career where I chose the jersey over money. I think there is definitely a lure to play for your country,that’s what everyone dreams to do when you play rugby,is play for your country.”

Watch every match of theSix Nations andSuper Rugby Pacific on the Home of Rugby,Stan Sport. Super Rugby Pacific continues this weekend with Fijian Drua v Rebels (Friday 7pm AEDT),Force v Reds (Friday 9:45pm) and Brumbies v Waratahs (Saturday 7pm AEDT). All streaming ad-free,live and on demand only onStan Sport.