League Targets

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Parra, Broncos, Dogs and Cowboys should all be then as well.

 

[run through the middle]

Cleary I feel is a potential genuine hired gun for the RWC.

His NRL legacy is sealed, can’t take those premierships off him.

If he goes off to rugby even for 12 months and makes the Wallabies a RWC contender, that’s a story no one else in the modern game could match.

The bloke needs to prove himself at origin level in my opinion before swapping codes. Needs to conquer rep footy and grab it by the throat.

 

[PhilClinton]

As a Wallaby fan in 2025, I personally think Cleary has done enough in the NRL to warrant a code jump and still be considered one of the all time greats.

There won't be another Aussie soil RWC in his playing career, so there is a finite date on that. He can always go back to NRL 2028 after winning us the RWC and play some more Origin.

The 2027 RWC is shaping up as the most important tournament in Australian Rugby history. If we get pansted by the BIL, it becomes even more important. I'd be getting all hands on deck for 2027.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Even at $2m/year he would be cheap based on the media exposure and sponsorship

 

[Major Tom]

It would generate fantastic interest. I’m not sure how influential he would be though. He’s played the same game, the same style for years now. I’m not sure how he would go with less time and space. He’s afforded a lot of time/protection to get kicks away in the NRL. I do think his spiral bombs would be very effective though. He’ll need a lot of coaching and time to pick up the game imo. Probably worth it due to the what ifs and publicity.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

It wouldnt be an issue. The League halves take the space and play at the line a lot more than Rugby 10s. Majority of the time when we kick in Rugby they drop back and give themselves extra time so it's not an issue.

I reckon with the 50/22 rule in Rugby now a lot RL halves would have a field day with it as they grow up learning to look for a 40/20 which is much harder to execute

 

[Omar Comin']

RA could partner with Sale Sharks on a deal. He plays for them for the next season, lives in or near Manchester with Mary Fowler and learns the game under a bit less pressure than he'd have here. Leicester could be another option as it's only a couple of hours away and a bigger club. Comes back to Australia in the 2nd half of 2026, gets some experience with the Wallabies squad, maybe some game time on the end of year tour, then plays Super Rugby in 2027 and onto the world cup if he's good enough.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Adidas, Rexona and all the others would definitely stick by him playing in front of 5k people in Salford.

He'd have to want it and willing to take the hit. If he was to play Rugby and be close to Mary I think it's more likely in France and she plays with a French side tbh. Otherwise he could go to the Super League and be a legend if he wants to be in the North.

I'd love to see it but reckon it's at best a 20% chance of happening.

 

[Major Tom]

It wouldnt be an issue. The League halves take the space and play at the line a lot more than Rugby 10s. Majority of the time when we kick in Rugby they drop back and give themselves extra time so it's not an issue.

I reckon with the 50/22 rule in Rugby now a lot RL halves would have a field day with it as they grow up learning to look for a 40/20 which is much harder to execute

Maybe. Rugby League is so different with trucking the ball. You get guaranteed time and guaranteed players running onto the ball. In saying that I can see someone like Valentiini or Wilson running riot off his hip. He would still need to change a lot. I'm not saying he couldn't but he would need to be very patient as he's used to constantly touching the ball. I agree the 50/22 would be bread and butter for him. He would need some practice with kicking for line for penalties or get someone else to do it. Defence is the area he would absolutely excel at.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Fair. Kicking for touch would be a piece of piss. They kick plenty and accurately more than Rugby guys in game.

They don't care so much in RL because they rather get plays in before attacking the line. They find goal line defence the easiest because you don't have to get back so sides don't like to attack from 10m out. Goal kicking is a sticking point but you have to trust a guy with the work ethic and talent would figure it out. Matt Rogers went alright (yes he had a background).

Physically he's no issue. He's bigger than any of our current 10s now.

 

[Major Tom]

The margin for error with kicking for touch is not really a thing in RL though. He's gotta nail the kick that gets his team a 10m lineout. But if he can hit 40/20s then he probably should be able to adjust. What I would like to see is: short arm pen, middle of the field and seeing him absolutely send a spiral bomb!
What shits me is even if we don't get him why can't someone like Lynagh or Donno with probably as big a kick reach out to him to learn?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If they can hit wingers like Lomax in SOO whilst on the run I'll back him to be able to drill a kick 10m out from a set shot.

Would be a good bit of cross training to get them to work with whoever coaches guys like Burton. yeah theres natural ability in it but the striking position to make them so uncatchable. Imagine being able to belt one up from your 10m and put it outside the 22m and get attacking scrums half the time.

 

[Omar Comin']

Adidas, Rexona and all the others would definitely stick by him playing in front of 5k people in Salford.

Surely if it's something like an 8-9 month sabbatical they'd be sticking by him, plus these are global brands and he'd be returning in mid 2026 with huge publicity. But let's go with Leicester or a French club then. There's no way he'd do it unless he's going to be earning more money than he will in league, but a season in England or France would reduce the bill by a chunk, and work for him from a personal perspective.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'm being facetious and it does make sense. I just don't see it happening as much as I'd love to see it.

Theres a few guys floating around in League I think would be great in Rugby. Strange and Weekes at the Raiders come to mind. Weekes played at Newington but Strange is a big fast five-eight who I reckon would be a menace at 12 in Rugby.

He's injury prone but fuck it. Does Turbo wanna have a crack? Saying he's open to going to the Super League because he doesn't want to play against Manly and doesn't want to get in the way of the Club. Don't even know what position he'd play but put him in the 13. He's big and have to cover a lot less ground.

 

[JRugby2]

He'd be a great inclusion to the reds injury list.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

We'd never know what injury though? Although you google his name, it then adds "hamstring injury"

 

[Upthemaroon!]

Good to see that Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) is getting the love from the League community in Australia as well, and also nice that he is naming the 2027 WC as a big factor in his future deal. Code hopping should become a bit more prevalent I think, would be good for both codes.

‘Why I signed for two years’: Rugby World Cup still a key factor in Marky Mark’s future

The Roosters are keen to extend the contract of their newest star, who has compelling reasons to sign a deal in both rugby codes.

www.smh.com.au

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I'd love to see him back but it's going to cost a lot for a winger. He's easily going to be getting offers from 750k with the Roosters no doubt wanting him, Perth Bears will definitely throw an offer plus French, Japanese and RA.

Code hopping may be a factor in the next couple of years but if Rugby revert back to a pumpkin and spend their money after it we won't retain anyone with how the NRL is just rolling.

 

[Dctarget]

I thought wingers were the ones we could poach because they were underpaid in league.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

He's playing Centre in League but he's a Rugby Winger.

Underpaid in RL is high paid in Rugby though. Still got stock standard Wingers on 300-400k