League Targets

[Sword of Justice]

Probably for the Exodus thread but what we may see from now on is that by allowing our players to go to France/Japan/etc we actually protect our player pool rather than our current mindset of them being lost. A new mindset.

 

[Derpus]

Meh - he wont go to League. Japan a far more attractive prospect.

 

[Sword of Justice]

I used to take that view as well and he may very well do that but players have familial concerns, support networks, mates etc. If there’s salary room extensions the NRL salaries will be akin to Japan.

Many here have expressed the view of ‘Tokyo over Illawarra’ or similar and frankly I agree but I have family members who have done it (lawyers, not rugby players) and they found it very isolating. I am not suggesting it’s not a wonderful country. Similarly I know of a recent former Wallaby (friend of a friend type deal) who found France very difficult with a young family.

There is a storm coming with these contracts in the NRL. We are 90 years behind them professionally.

 

[LeCheese]

Purely an attempted anti-Union beat up. ‘Made an approach’ - nothing to see here.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Idk Cheese they are talking about it constantly on League media. Not Wright but more generally. There’s only so many good players and the new teams will create a vacuum.

 

[Derpus]

I used to take that view as well and he may very well do that but players have familial concerns, support networks, mates etc. If there’s salary room extensions the NRL salaries will be akin to Japan.

Many here have expressed the view of ‘Tokyo over Illawarra’ or similar and frankly I agree but I have family members who have done it (lawyers, not rugby players) and they found it very isolating. I am not suggesting it’s not a wonderful country. Similarly I know of a recent former Wallaby (friend of a friend type deal) who found France very difficult with a young family.

There is a storm coming with these contracts in the NRL. We are 90 years behind them professionally.

Nah living in Japan would be fucked. Those guys are nuts.

But Wright isn't going to be a big dog in League. He may not be able to crack a starting side if we are being honest. He is one of the best fullbacks in the world in Union.

 

[Major Tom]

Idk Cheese they are talking about it constantly on League media. Not Wright but more generally. There’s only so many good players and the new teams will create a vacuum.

It's more of a concern for our pathway talent. We lose far more players to league from there than we do at the Wallaby level. That's where we need to fight the battle.
Happy for there to be chat about the occasional wallaby going to league if we can quietly go about securing our next wave of players.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This would be a legit offer. He'd be a 6 in league as I'm not sure he has the legs or high ball ability to play at the back. Organising Defence would also fry him.

With 60 new contracts about to hit the market in the NRL of course he's a target. If Carter Gordon was able to land a pay cheque with zero experience you bet Wright could and it would be starting from 600k I reckon.

A lot of these guys see the NRL as a pinnacle competition and Japan more of a pay cheque. What is his professional desires? Not like he could go to Japan at 29 after 2 years in the NRL.

He may also see the room filling up in Rugby with JAS and Jorgo likely contenders for a 15 jersey by the time of a WC. Not like he hasn't been shafted by Wallaby selections before... Coaches may change but people feel what they feel.

 

[wamberal99]

We need to make room for some of these under 20 kids.

 

[Derpus]

This would be a legit offer. He'd be a 6 in league as I'm not sure he has the legs or high ball ability to play at the back. Organising Defence would also fry him.

With 60 new contracts about to hit the market in the NRL of course he's a target. If Carter Gordon was able to land a pay cheque with zero experience you bet Wright could and it would be starting from 600k I reckon.

A lot of these guys see the NRL as a pinnacle competition and Japan more of a pay cheque. What is his professional desires? Not like he could go to Japan at 29 after 2 years in the NRL.

He may also see the room filling up in Rugby with JAS and Jorgo likely contenders for a 15 jersey by the time of a WC. Not like he hasn't been shafted by Wallaby selections before... Coaches may change but people feel what they feel.

I mean… hes going to get paid wherever he is, clearly.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I know this thread is for targets in League that could play Rugby but who in Rugby is a risk of leaving to League over the next couple of years or post 27? I don't think Rugby should be looking at anyone atm given the talent coming through and the focus should be on keeping them.

I see Lancaster, Jorgo, JAS, Wright and Goldsbrough being high on a recruitment lists for any side.

 

[Wilson]

I know this thread is for targets in League that could play Rugby but who in Rugby is a risk of leaving to League over the next couple of years or post 27? I don't think Rugby should be looking at anyone atm given the talent coming through and the focus should be on keeping them.

I see Lancaster, Jorgo, JAS, Wright and Goldsbrough being high on a recruitment lists for any side.

It'll probably change a bit by the time they're recruiting and that it makes it hard to predict specific players, but the general answer is fringe outside backs - either on the Fringe of their super side, or those key to their super side but on the fringe of the wallabies and not attracting a top up. Amongst those it'll probably be the younger players most at risk, but the key will likely be anyone who feels their progress has stalled or is blocked.

I think the most immediate issue for retention might be the 7s guys at the moment, especially with World Rugby still tinkering with the format there. Even without the uncertainty over the competition future most have only ever got a short career available to them in 7s, and it makes as much sense to jump to league as 15s when the opportunities arise.

 

[PhilClinton]

I think JAS will end up being one of those guys who plays at a number of different clubs and codes during his career, similar to SBW.

He will have played in a BIL series and assuming he is fit and playing well, will likely be selected for a home RWC in 2027. That may have scratched his rugby itch so I wouldn't be surprised to see him head back to league post-2027.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

And there is every chance by a NRL 2028 season we are seeing a player on every side earning 1.5m+

If you were the Perth Bears and still building through the first few season a guy like JAS would be a great signing. He's a name everyone knows, very marketable and can play the game at a high level.

I think when we saw Mark N (Nawaqanitawase) go to League it shocked a lot of people because we thought it's just fringe guys like Nathan Lawson that are easy pickings and from the 7s system which is very up in the air but he was an established player in the Rugby ecosystem. His physical attributes obviously assist him and we won't lose guys like Tim Ryan who suit Rugby but Lancaster, Goldsbrough fit that fast, powerful athlete the NRL love.

Both have some experience? Or just pursued previously?

 

[Major Tom]

I know this thread is for targets in League that could play Rugby but who in Rugby is a risk of leaving to League over the next couple of years or post 27? I don't think Rugby should be looking at anyone atm given the talent coming through and the focus should be on keeping them.

I see Lancaster, Jorgo, JAS, Wright and Goldsbrough being high on a recruitment lists for any side.

Wrright will be too old to go to league if he doesn't go now. Makes more sense for him to head to Japanese rugby after the World Cup. Jorgo, JAS Goldsbrough and Pakeho will all be targeted I reckon. I'd love to get the Hammer into rugby. He would genuinely carve up.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Hayden Sargeant (7s) Manager spruiking him around to NRL Clubs.

Has an offer from RA but wants to go to League. His age won't help being what 27? Does he have a history in League? Trying to do a Lachie Miller? Dumbest thing he did was go to the Knights when they tried to make Ponga a Five-Eighth for a fortnight. Although, hope he got some $$ still playing for Leeds Rhinos though.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Hayden Sargeant (7s) Manager spruiking him around to NRL Clubs.

Has an offer from RA but wants to go to League. His age won't help being what 27? Does he have a history in League? Trying to do a Lachie Miller? Dumbest thing he did was go to the Knights when they tried to make Ponga a Five-Eighth for a fortnight. Although, hope he got some $$ still playing for Leeds Rhinos though.

Miller was always a leaguie. He wanted to play NRL his whole life. Got the opportunity, then got to continue it by moving up to Newcastle after the Sharks punted him. Took the deal of a lifetime (3 yr deal with Leeds) especially when 7s pays so poorly

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yeah Coffs harbour kid right with a League and touch background that found 7s a cake walk coming through. In reality Newcastle wasn't a smart option but a contract is a contract and sign it and let them trade you but get your $$

With Sargeant I don't know what position he suits in League. I guess it depends if he has a history in the game. He is built like a guy that could be a rapid Hooker but that a tough sled to ask a guy from Rugby to now make 45 tackles a game in the middle.

 

[Slim 293]

Wright possibly heading back to league

Oh no…

Wait…

No.

Wallabies star Tom Wright locks in future with ACT Brumbies, Australian Rugby

www.rugby.com.au

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

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