Aussie Player Exodus
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The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Underrated observation. Only reason I don't get more into the NRL is because I can't bring myself to care about another team since I was born in North Syd and was raised to support them.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
The Bears are bidding as "Moana Pasifika" style bid, still based out of North Sydney. Not sure they'd accept a Perth side, particularly if it ended their chances of a team in their heartland.
As far as AB's go Clarke is probably the most likely but Ardie Savea would probably be the dream get. He has talked about an NRL switch before and given the second team would be Wellington based there probably isn't anyone that could top him for local cachet.
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
100%, if I am a. Kid coming out of high school and I know the NRL have 1m a year to spend outside the salary cap for union players. Then I would sign to play union, once in union there is a chance you never go back as you may decide to take the money in France or Japan instead. While that doesn’t help Australian rugby at much if at all it hurts the NRL
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
I've heard them say they are willing to be in Perth if that's what the NRL would prefer. I don't see the Pacific option being a long term successful concept. You're beginning your franchise in the merger model. Most fans of the Bears I don't think care where it is if it meant they saw the red & black running around.
Ardie would have been a good option. 30 right now so would be pushing the body by the time it would/could happen. You'd think current Kiwis would be the main target. NAS, Joey Manu, Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes and then if they could steal a player from the Warriors to create some spice.
wamberal99
Jim Clark (26)
PNG? Putting an NRL side there would create more problems than it would solve. My sister and her partner lived there for a number of years, I visited them a couple of times, and then did a couple of consulting assignments.
Scary place. Not to mention a lot of corruption.
Scary place. Not to mention a lot of corruption.
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wamberal99
Jim Clark (26)
There have been some incredible incidents. One involved a helicopter filled with armed gangsters (in full military uniforms) landing on the roof of a bank building.
The more money at stake, the riskier things will be.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Yeah the security is an issue, inside Port Moresby it's not too bad as long as you stay in the right areas, but as soon as you leave Port Moresby it all changes. We were working just outside of Port Moresby, a local town supplied a large number of workers to a local mining site, all these mines employ a large number of security who are a bit like a militia. Anyway, there was a disagreement between the local town and the security from the town, one of the busses(caged windows Mad Max style) for ferrying employees for the mine was flipped on it side and burned out in the middle of town. The next day we drove back through the town and retribution had obviously been done, the town was mostly burned to the ground and smoldering, undoubtedly people died. This didn't even make the local news.
We also picked up a local who was stumbling on the road and took him to the local hospital, he had been attacked by a machete. Not sure if he survived.
Locals are lovely people, but like all countries with corruption issues and wealth inequality, crime is rife.
We also picked up a local who was stumbling on the road and took him to the local hospital, he had been attacked by a machete. Not sure if he survived.
Locals are lovely people, but like all countries with corruption issues and wealth inequality, crime is rife.
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
I know someone very well that lives & works over there. During the riots 2 weeks ago all Australians got kept in their gated community. The reports in the media where it was a protest got out of hand he said the truth is that criminals just used it as an excuse to just riot & steal anything they can. The nrl have enough trouble keeping players in canberra or auckland I have no idea how they would convince anyone who can get an offer anywhere else to live in Port Moresby. All govt. jobs over there aussies are getting paid double what they would get paid in aus to do they same job & most only last 1 - 2 years.
Hogie
Herbert Moran (7)
If this does indeed materialise, then he will absolutely be putting on the blue of Italy before the end of 2024.
Personally I feel that it is a shame that there wasn't a way to bring him to Oz as I see him, long term, as a 15 and would bring something different to the other 15's in Oz.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Apparently already eligible for Italy through his Mother.
Even though I’d love to see him here this doesn’t bother me all that much. An England jersey really would have hurt.
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
& was born there
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Does say something if no other English Clubs are signing him. Could Benetton be paying much better?
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Possibly Italy offers a top up, but it might also be the appeal of playing test rugby and he sees that as more likely elsewhere.
A bit disappointed he's not coming to Australia, but as long as he doesn't turn out for England I'll count that as a win.
John S
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Let's not us start with the "moral victories" lol
