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League Targets

run through the middle

Peter Burge (5)
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

Paul McLean (56)
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.
 

Major Tom

Alex Ross (28)
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

Phil Kearns (64)
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'

Chilla Wilson (44)
Even at $2m/year he would be cheap based on the media exposure and sponsorship

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

Phil Kearns (64)
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

Alex Ross (28)
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

Phil Kearns (64)
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

Alex Ross (28)
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.
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 40/20's 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

Phil Kearns (64)
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 40/20's 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?
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'

Chilla Wilson (44)
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.

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.
 
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