I cannot express just how big of a deal that is for rugby. Huge positive and massive error in judgement by the NRL. Hundreds of potential 18 year olds who play rugby decide to go with league because of the NYC. Immediate salary, professional training and club alignment for 18-20 years old in league compared to playing colts/grade for nothing in rugby is a big pulling power for would be prospects.
It's worth noting they aren't completely dumping it, just regearing it towards the seperate QLD and NSW comps with joint finals at the end to cut travel costs. What this'll mean for the money and training offered to the players involved is yet to be seen. Should still be a gain for rugby though.
The really interesting one is the potential draft. On the face of it I think it's probably a bad decision for them, it's a real gamble to impose these sort of restrictions on young players who can easily ply their trade in other sports or other competitions. The only drafts I'm aware of in world sport are in places where the majority of kids coming through can'y quickly and easily change sport or competition and play at the same high level (AFL, NFL, NBA, etc).
That said I really like the potential of a draft and where they exist they're a huge promotional boon for their respective sports. So there is opportunity in it for them if they get it right, though that is easier said then done.
