Sword of Justice
John Solomon (38)
That would be pretty similar to here. There’s one school that does what we are referring to every single year and two or three others that dabble depending on their direction at the time.
Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
- Start date
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
The NRL have been doing it for at least 25 years.
I played with a number of guys who were running around in rugby and then once they turned 14/15 got gobbled up by NRL clubs and were no longer allowed to play club rugby and sometimes school rugby. The NRL are also known for signing up guys that age, moving them out of state schools and putting them in private school. Not sure if that's a way around having to explicitly pay them as minors but instead the incentive is having them get free schooling. A couple of guys at my old school were flown over from NZ for that exact reason. A few of those guys have gone on to become QLD SOO stars.
At some point we probably need to decide if we want to take the moral high ground or get the game back on it's feet, because everyone around us seems to have no issues with getting those guys onto contracts. I'm not suggesting one over the other, but it is a genuine issue to discuss. Herbert and RA might get some traction with World Rugby around the Frenchie stuff - but the NRL won't give two fucks.
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PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
Yep - my old school in Brisbane used to have bi-annual Fiji or Tongan rugby tours. 6 months later there would be two or three new boarders in the dormitory from either of those countries and those kids just happened to be unreal at rugby and quite happy to do their senior schooling over 3 years.
But I'm guessing according to some posters here that is just a coincidence, that happened every two years. What a lucky school!
Strewthcobber
David Codey (61)
How many kids on NRL scholarships end up playing rugby through school and then end up in the RA pro pathways? I'd say we don't hear much about it because RA does pretty well out of those deals all things considered. Might lose some, but we probably get more than we should
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
Well I can tell you with some level of authority that if Dane Gagai had been cleared to play in the u17 season rugby finals, I'd probably have a premiership that year. So, on a personal level I feel let down and victimised by RA.
Yeah I can cop NRL doing it because there ain’t anything we can do. World Rugby should be trying keep rugby strong around the world not just in France. Kinda battling retention on 2 fronts now, backs and loose forwards targeted by league and front row targeted by France.
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
It seems to me that two things can be true:
- we probably shouldnt he poaching teenage talent from the Pacific Islands, and
- France probably shouldnt be poaching teenage talent from the Oceanic area generally.
I will say at least we treat Island footballers relatively well. Plenty of horror stories coming out of France.
- we probably shouldnt he poaching teenage talent from the Pacific Islands, and
- France probably shouldnt be poaching teenage talent from the Oceanic area generally.
I will say at least we treat Island footballers relatively well. Plenty of horror stories coming out of France.
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wamberal99
Alex Ross (28)
I spent a couple of years as a volunteer in Tonga. That was quite a few years ago, things might have changed since then. But there were very few local employment opportunities for young men (in particular) in Tonga back then. Any family who did not have one member living and working in New Zealand, Australia, etc was living in poverty. One of the job opportunities for young men was to play professionally, either Rugby, or Rugby League. Poaching might be another name for employment.
The Ghost of Raelene
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Heaps have moved over just to play State Cup League, work a job and send the footy money back to the islands. These guys can be getting $1000 a game and up to $1500 although that is for players who have NRL experience.
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
I have boldened what I consider to be the most important part. Otherwise I agree with you.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
I have also spent some time over there. In the village I was in for majority, the wealthiest family had an uncle who lived in Hawaii and sold Tiki carvings to tourists, then sent money back home. The family back in Tonga drove a Range Rover, it was pretty strange to see compared to 90% of the other households.
wamberal99
Alex Ross (28)
There are six (I think) hereditary Barons who seem to own huge tracts of land.
Slim 293
George Smith (75)
rugboy
Jim Clark (26)
Looks like Taniela and Tom Wright also could be off to France
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
Tom Wright would be a massive blow.
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
What’s the prevailing theory here?
- these guys would rather be part of a Lions tour than home RWC and are happy to leave
- they’re planning to come back to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) in 2027 (or sign for 2028 and be eligible for selection in the RWC)
- they’re calling RAs bluff and will back themselves to be selected regardless because RA will be wanting their best possible team for a home RWC
- these guys would rather be part of a Lions tour than home RWC and are happy to leave
- they’re planning to come back to SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) in 2027 (or sign for 2028 and be eligible for selection in the RWC)
- they’re calling RAs bluff and will back themselves to be selected regardless because RA will be wanting their best possible team for a home RWC
PhilClinton
Paul McLean (56)
The concerning thing for RA is this seems to be ‘out of cycle’ for the standard mass exodus.
If we have half a dozen Wallabies bail out now, I reckon there will be triple that number packing their bags for a pay check after the RWC.
If we have half a dozen Wallabies bail out now, I reckon there will be triple that number packing their bags for a pay check after the RWC.
Derpus
Phil Waugh (73)
The reality of where world rugby is heading, sadly.
French rugby will become the ‘EPL of rugby’. You know, except that it isnt good.