Aussie Player Exodus

[The Ghost of Raelene]

The term linked is the dumbest thing in sports.

How and who? Oh was it you listing any player who has played Rugby at some point in their life?

 

[Rebel man]

The term linked is the dumbest thing in sports.

How and who? Oh was it you listing any player who has played Rugby at some point in their life?

They are claiming a number of NRL players have signed legally binding commitments to play if the competition gets up

 

[Strewthcobber]

The term linked is the dumbest thing in sports.

How and who? Oh was it you listing any player who has played Rugby at some point in their life?

Yeah, previous article was a lot more definitive. Those listed NRL players have signed deals apparently

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

They are claiming a number of NRL players have signed legally binding commitments to play if the competition gets up

I expect names like Taj Annan and Carter Gordon to be there tbh. Can play Rugby and haven't seen and NRL field yet.

It'll get interest if they can land a rep half from the NRL.

 

[Rebel man]

I expect names like Taj Annan and Carter Gordon to be there tbh. Can play Rugby and haven't seen and NRL field yet.

It'll get interest if they can land a rep half from the NRL.

They are reporting some players are getting offered 3/4m a year so I don’t think it will just be the recent defectors to the NRL come back

 

[Major Tom]

They are reporting some players are getting offered 3/4m a year so I don’t think it will just be the recent defectors to the NRL come back

Who is paying these "offers"? And when is the deadline gonna be? Can't just keep telling everyone that players are reportedly interested forever and a day.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Who is paying these "offers"? And when is the deadline gonna be? Can't just keep telling everyone that players are reportedly interested forever and a day.

End of September

 

[Wilson]

I expect names like Taj Annan and Carter Gordon to be there tbh. Can play Rugby and haven't seen and NRL field yet.

It'll get interest if they can land a rep half from the NRL.

Carter Gordon should satisfy their current player requirements, but Taj Annan wouldn't.

For the initial 200 player threshold due for October 1 as far as I'm aware the players under 30 need to have played test match rugby in the past 2 years (probably a 2023 world cup cut off) or be current test match players if they're over 30. There will probably be some wiggle room there for young, up and coming stars or guys outside of national contention because they're playing overseas, but it's likely going to be pretty obvious why they're there. How that translates to NRL players isn't immediately clear, but I'm guessing there will be some sort of metric there limiting it to the obvious stars, either established or up and coming. I can't see anyway Taj Annan satisfies those requirements.

Once they've hit that threshold and triggered the next stage of funding they can start contracting the rest of the guys to fill out their ranks, but I'd be surprised if they'd bother with someone like Annan, versus a bunch of Pasifika, Argentinian and South African mid-range talent that would likely come cheap.

 

[PhilClinton]

For the initial 200 player threshold due for October 1 as far as I'm aware the players under 30 need to have played test match rugby in the past 2 years (probably a 2023 world cup cut off) or be current test match players if they're over 30. There will probably be some wiggle room there for young, up and coming stars or guys outside of national contention because they're playing overseas, but it's likely going to be pretty obvious why they're there. How that translates to NRL players isn't immediately clear, but I'm guessing there will be some sort of metric there limiting it to the obvious stars, either established or up and coming. I can't see anyway Taj Annan satisfies those requirements.

Would be interesting to know what the NRL requirements are - someone like Ryan Paps hasn't played Origin or for Australia. He does have over 100 NRL games though and is under 30. Maybe that is a selection criteria for those without rep selection.

 

[Wilson]

Would be interesting to know what the NRL requirements are - someone like Ryan Paps hasn't played Origin or for Australia. He does have over 100 NRL games though and is under 30. Maybe that is a selection criteria for those without rep selection.

It's hard to know specifics because it's all behind closed doors and there's probably a bit of flexibility and negotiation in what qualifies as the sort of stars they need once you get away from the obvious test players, but a Clive Churchill medal in 2020 and another couple of trips to the Grand Final since then make him a pretty easy sell at that top level, even without the 100 games.

It's possible they're are a few different categories they're working with - x test players, y established pros, some limit on how many NRL converts qualify, probably a limit on how many players under some specific age, etc.

 

[Adam84]

It’s not squad size that’s the issue it’s the short season and lack of rugby. If we carried another 5-10 development players how many minutes would they see? Where those longer European seasons give squad players an opportunity as you have to manage your roster

I disagree… squad/academy sizes(and the reduction of them) is absolutely an issue for reasons already mentioned, it’s just not the only issue. Season length is merely another one.

As for minutes played in Super Rugby, that shouldn’t be used as a key metric of success for someone being introduced to a professional environment. In fact just yesterday someone in this forum was arguing that too much exposure before they’re ready is more detrimental to players development, the example was Petaia.

QPR/SS still serve a pathway for development & academy players whilst being introduced to professional S&C and coaching, Super Rugby teams just need to get better at playing additional off-season matches like the Reds are organising.

 

[Crashy]

yep I agree. A player would need to dominate at SS / QPR level before playing Super and understand this- but being included in a professional environment, as well as locking them away from the French / domestic violence rugby serves 2 purposes. 40 in the Academy at 10 - 20k a pop soundabout right? Plus whatever the SS pays them isn't a bad start I would imagine.

 

[Upthemaroon!]

yep I agree. A player would need to dominate at SS / QPR level before playing Super and understand this- but being included in a professional environment, as well as locking them away from the French / domestic violence rugby serves 2 purposes. 40 in the Academy at 10 - 20k a pop soundabout right? Plus whatever the SS pays them isn't a bad start I would imagine.

It's a great start, and you can keep players accountable that way. Give them goals to work to but most of all keep them engaged.

RA is in the situation where they need to grow the base of the pyramid as well as building the pyramid to be higher.

 

[PhilClinton]

Carter Gordon set to play QCup this weekend.

Sheesh I thought he was gone for the year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Carter Gordon set to play QCup this weekend.

Sheesh I thought he was gone for the year.

That’s great!

He’s playing for a deal now with a coaching change at the Titans which may have driven the desire to play a bit more.

 

[John S]

Bit of a laugh here, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) possibly set to get NRL rookie of the year so NRL changed the rules so if you've played 5+ games for another code you're not eligible six weeks out from end of the season.

 

[Wilson]

Bit of a laugh here, Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) (Nawaqanitawase) possibly set to get NRL rookie of the year so NRL changed the rules so if you've played 5+ games for another code you're not eligible six weeks out from end of the season.

It's a bit ridiculous they made the change so late in the season, but it's otherwise a fairly reasonable adjustment to keep it in line with the rule allowing for a maximum of 5 games in a previous NRL season for the other candidates.

 

[John S]

It's a bit ridiculous they made the change so late in the season, but it's otherwise a fairly reasonable adjustment to keep it in line with the rule allowing for a maximum of 5 games in a previous NRL season for the other candidates.

I actually think it's the right thing as Mark's not a "rookie" really he's a professional football player who changed codes.

But it's still funny watching the fans raging against it

 

[Rebel man]

I actually think it's the right thing as Mark's not a "rookie" really he's a professional football player who changed codes.

But it's still funny watching the fans raging against it

Goes to show but all the Leaguies say that Union players would struggle in the NRL

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Hmmm lets not start that. Mark has been a success but also filled with an error for every good thing and his defensive reads are pretty bad. Plenty have tried and failed and some fairly average NRL players like Cooper Vuna, Eto Nabuli have come to Rugby and become Wallabies. We should just be happy Mark is getting some Rugby chat going.