The NRL seems set to inexperienced mild wage cap exemptions to golf equipment who recruit gamers from rival codes which shapes as a hammer blow for Rugby Australia.
The unprecedented transfer from the NRL threatens to cripple their rival, with rugby union an already struggling code that has been on its knees for years in Australia.
It’s traditionally been NRL stars getting poached by RA with Joseph Suaalii’s $5 million deal the newest, however the 20-year-old has already vowed to return to the Roosters when his three-year contract ends.
Watch each match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live with no advert breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and begin streaming immediately >
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Israel Folau, Benji Marshall, Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Brad Thorn all had stints within the 15-man recreation.
But the tables may very well be about to show dramatically, with NRL golf equipment already lining as much as benefit from the proposed wage cap exemptions.
Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has already met with the Roosters, whereas Max Jorgensen is one other on an extended record of gamers who’ve the talent set to make a cross-code change.
NRL golf equipment have welcomed the concept, whereas Sea Eagles veteran Aaron Woods believes caps exemptions ought to solely be obtainable to backside eight golf equipment.
NRL chief government Andrew Abdo confirmed the exemptions are beneath critical consideration, however mentioned golf equipment would solely be allowed to poach “one or two players” from rival codes.
“Would salary cap relief be potentially used? Yes. We want the best athletes playing our game,” Abdo mentioned.
“It will be delicate and it will be about making sure there’s an opportunity for all clubs on an equal basis to have one or two talented players that they recruit potentially from other codes around the world.
“Growth is on our agenda, so while our primary focus is developing rugby league talent through our own pathways, we’re also open to attracting (other athletes) and potentially in some cases returning to league from other codes.”
Eels common supervisor of soccer Mark O’Neill backed the transfer he mentioned it could assist neutralise the ‘threat’ of rugby’s raids on NRL expertise.
“We have an attractive game. It’s worth exploring to make sure our game stays as strong as it possibly can be,” O’Neill mentioned.
“I think it’s definitely a threat and we need to consider that accordingly. There’s a level of threat that comes with it, the level of threat at the moment might be low now that Suaalii is gone and there doesn’t appear to be anyone following but that will change from time to time and the threat will increase.
“I do support any innovative way and ideas that improve this scenario for NRL clubs.”
Super Rugby crowds have been dwindling for years and after the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup marketing campaign, Australian rugby is at its lowest ebb.
The alternative for gamers to earn a pay rise and play in entrance of packed stadiums is ready to pique the pursuits of a bunch of rugby stars.
Here foxsports.com.au has compiled a listing of 15 rugby union gamers with the talent set to make a profitable change to the NRL.
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Age: 23
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: NSW Waratahs
NRL comparability: Israel Folau
Nawaqanitawase grew up enjoying rugby league in Sydney earlier than switching to union and the 192cm speedster could be powerful to comprise within the NRL.
Nawaqanitawase made his Test debut final yr and the Waratahs winger was one of many Wallabies’ greatest gamers on the World Cup.
Max Jorgensen
Age: 19
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: NSW Waratahs
NRL comparability: Dylan Edwards
The son of former Roosters and Penrith winger Peter Jorgensen was picked within the Wallabies’ train-on squad this yr however harm dominated him out of the World Cup.
The 19-year-old was on the radar of the Roosters and Bulldogs earlier than signing a two-year take care of Rugby Australia till the top of 2024.
Isaac Lucas
Age: 24
Position: centre, wing, fullback
Current membership: Ricoh Black Rams (Japan)
NRL comparability: Reece Walsh
Lucas hails from one of the vital gifted soccer households in Australia, with all 4 sons enjoying rugby professionally.
Lucas was on observe for a Wallabies debut at simply 21 earlier than Covid struck and he left the Queensland Reds to play in Japan, which made him ineligible for nationwide choice.
Mack Hansen
Age: 25
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: Connacht (Ireland)
NRL comparability: Reuben Garrick
After being groomed as a five-eighth on the Brumbies, Hansen struggled to crack a beginning spot earlier than making a wildly profitable change to Irish rugby.
Hansen joined Connacht and reinvented himself as a winger, and fewer than 12 months later made his Test debut for Ireland.
Andrew Kellaway
Age: 28
Position: centre, wing, fullback
Current membership: Melbourne Rebels
NRL comparability: James Tedesco
This late bloomer is among the most fun gamers in Australian rugby and lately has made the Wallabies fullback jersey his personal.
Kellaway scored the second most tries (9) in a Wallabies’ debut season and was named Rugby Australia’s 2021 Rookie of the Year.
Izaia Perese
Age: 26
Position: wing, centre
Current membership: NSW Waratahs
NRL comparability: Nick Cotric
Perese grew up enjoying rugby league in Brisbane earlier than accepting a rugby scholarship on the Anglican Church Grammar college alongside Kalyn Ponga.
Perese began his skilled soccer profession with the Queensland Reds earlier than becoming a member of the Broncos, the place he performed two NRL video games in 2019, after which returning to rugby.
MORE NRL NEWS
RABBITOHS: Stark Wighton actuality Latrell should face; halves dilemma set to erupt
WHISPERS: Fifita circus takes one other twist as rivals circle; Manly’s backflip revealed
‘ABSOLUTE RUBBISH’: Dolphins fume over NRL draw as ‘low blow’ revealed
PEACE TALKS: Dogs captain allowed again at coaching amid ugly contract standoff
‘No pads, No helmets!’ NRL Vegas AD | 00:29
Suliasi Vunivalu
Age: 27
Position: wing
Current membership: Melbourne Rebels
NRL comparability: Himself
Vunivalu was a try-scoring machine for the Melbourne Storm between 2016 and 2020, crossing 86 occasions in 111 video games, earlier than switching codes in 2021.
Vunivalu has struggled to succeed in the identical heights in Super Rugby, scoring 14 tries in 27 video games for the Reds, however he did play one recreation for Wallabies in 2022.
Len Ikitau
Age: 25
Position: centre
Current membership: ACT Brumbies
NRL comparability: Kotoni Staggs
This gun centre with bone-crunching defence has already performed 29 Tests for the Wallabies and will completely depart his mark on the NRL.
Ikitau solely missed out on enjoying at his first World Cup this yr after fracturing his scapular in opposition to Argentina on the eve of the match.
Jordan Petaia
Age: 23
Position: centre, wing, fullback
Current membership: Queensland Reds
NRL comparability: Joey Manu
Petaia was the primary individual born within the 2000s to play for the Wallabies and has 27 Tests appearances to his title.
Petaia may very well be a star centre within the NRL and with time develop right into a genuinely harmful ball-playing fullback.
MORE NRL NEWS
SPINE RATER: Clock ticking on Kevvie’s $5m X-factors; Benji’s grim Tigers actuality
GOAT: How Cleary compares to the sport’s biggest No.7’s, why he’s main GOAT race
PREDICTED LADDER: Souths flop once more; Knights upset order as Bulldogs implode
FULL 2024 NRL DRAW: Every spherical, each recreation and who your crew performs twice
NRL dedicated to growth | 02:21
Tom Wright
Age: 26
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: ACT Brumbies
NRL comparability: Himself
Wright grew up enjoying rugby league in Sydney and in 2018 made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles the place he performed 5 video games.
Wright then defected to rugby in 2019 and joined the Brumbies the place he has shined and earned 23 Tests for the Wallabies.
Hunter Paisami
Age: 25
Position: centre
Current membership: Queensland Reds
NRL comparability: Justin Olam
Paisami is a harmful ball-runner however the hallmark of his recreation is his defence and will produce a spotlight reel of rib-ticklers within the NRL.
Paisami has made 24 appearances for the Wallabies since 2020 however harm dominated him out of the World Cup this yr.
Tom Banks
Age: 29
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: ACT Brumbies
NRL comparability: Scott Drinkwater
Banks has pace to burn and 87 Super Rugby appearances to his title in stints on the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies.
Banks has performed 18 Tests for the Wallabies since 2018 however has fallen down the pecking order lately.
Dragons’ cheeky ‘brown paper bag’ jab | 00:39
Jock Campbell
Age: 28
Position: wing, fullback
Current membership: Queensland Reds
NRL comparability: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
A powerful working outdoors again who has performed 63 video games for the Queensland Reds since making his Super Rugby debut in 2019.
Campbell earned Wallabies choice in 2022 and has 4 Tests to his title, however missed out on World Cup choice this yr.
Rob Valetini
Age: 27
Position: backrow
Current membership: ACT Brumbies
NRL comparability: David Fifita
This hulking backrower who stands 193cm and weighs 113kg is a harmful ball-runner who would play lock within the NRL.
Valetini made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2018 and is now one of many first gamers picked for the Wallabies, with 39 Tests to his title.
Taniela Tupou
Age: 27
Position: entrance row
Current membership: Queensland Reds
NRL comparability: Lindsay Collins
The man they name the ‘Tongan Thor’ would want to shed important weight off his 135kg body, however Tupou has the talent to be a ball-playing entrance rower within the NRL.
Tupou has simply joined the Melbourne Rebels after 88 video games for the Queensland Reds and has additionally performed 51 Tests for the Wallabies.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
