Rugby League players who could have/could make the switch
- Thread starter EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7
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He's the highest profile English rugby league player and is an excellent athlete.
What's to say it isn't a shrewd move that will reap dividends for the RFU?
T
Train Without a Station
Guest
BH, do you really think Burgess' RL profile will bring much attention to RU in England? Here in Australia League has a bigger profile and I can understand what recruiting a big name league player brings.
With RU being the bigger game, wouldn't it likely in fact bring more good publicity and profile the League if anything?
If it's going to reap dividends for the RFU, I think he will have to be very good on the field, as I'm not sure RU has much to gain from RL off it.
With RU being the bigger game, wouldn't it likely in fact bring more good publicity and profile the League if anything?
If it's going to reap dividends for the RFU, I think he will have to be very good on the field, as I'm not sure RU has much to gain from RL off it.
Previous high profile league recruits have worked for England such as Jason Robinson.
RU is the bigger game in England, but RL is still significant. The cross code interest in their best player going to rugby union will be significant in my opinion.
I agree that he will need to be good on the field for it to really work out for the RFU but that is the case with any convert. The hype disappears very quickly if they suck.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
So, let me get this right. When the ARU does something like this it is dumb, but when the RFU does it, it is a shrewd move?
Folau, as is well known, fell into the ARU's lap. The RFU, in contrast, are paying a million just in a transfer fee alone, presumably in the hope that Burgess will be ready to star for them in next years World Cup. If that is not a desperate move, I do not know the meaning of the word.
Surely there are better potential inside centres who are eligible for England than a loig front rower who has never played the game, and whose ability to come to terms with a new code, and a new position, in a new team, with a new coach must represent something of a gamble. Bear in mind that time is totally against him. He will have to play through a very tough NRL season, the go pretty much straight into rugby training and playing if he is to have any chance of making the English team on merit. Then straight into a World Cup. This means he will have been playing at a very considerable level for eighteen months or so. Something will probably break, somewhere along the line.
If it all works out, I will be surprised.
I agree that it is a gamble. The ARU recruiting Folau was also a gamble.
I think the RFU's financial position probably makes having a bit of a gamble a far better proposition for them than it is for the ARU.
I have no idea whether he will end up being a success in rugby, but he is without doubt a talented athlete and there will be significant interest around his move both in the UK and Australia.
I think the RFU's financial position probably makes having a bit of a gamble a far better proposition for them than it is for the ARU.
I have no idea whether he will end up being a success in rugby, but he is without doubt a talented athlete and there will be significant interest around his move both in the UK and Australia.
T
TOCC
Guest
the RFU has £150million in revenue(which is growing), £20million in cash reserves and is posting multi-million profits..... They are in no way comparable to the ARU..
Anyway the journalists are now reporting that the RFU distanced itself from the deal and Bath came up with the transfer fee itself, probably not a difficult thing to do when you are owned by a billionaire.
Anyway the journalists are now reporting that the RFU distanced itself from the deal and Bath came up with the transfer fee itself, probably not a difficult thing to do when you are owned by a billionaire.
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David Codey (61)
Isn't that how ownership of anything works?
Who do you think should receive the $1M?
Who do you think should receive the $1M?
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
Yes! I'm referring to them keeping the money and not putting into the club or buying a player such as Fifita.
T
TOCC
Guest
RugbyReg was referring to investment back into the club, it's not a given that the owners will take the money..
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David Codey (61)
They are limited by the salary cap on what they can spend on players.Their training facilities have been improved year on year for some time.What should they spend it on?
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
^^^ Their new training facility in Maroubra?
I wonder if the State and Fed Governments, both of which have apparently been hit up for funds to subsidise the new Rabbits training facility, will reduce their "grant" by $1m?
I wonder if the State and Fed Governments, both of which have apparently been hit up for funds to subsidise the new Rabbits training facility, will reduce their "grant" by $1m?
T
TOCC
Guest
The federal government already pulled the funding, the funding commitment was made under the labour govt, Abbot's government didn't match the commitment.
What does a professional sporting organisation spend money on??
There is an absolutely endless list of things a professional team could spend their money on.. Staff, Facilities, Marketing
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Is the TG Milner upgrade still going ahead or has Mr Rabbit gone all misery guts on the funding for the ARU high performance facility as well?
T
TOCC
Guest
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David Codey (61)
Of course there are a multitude of things it might be spent on.
I was really responding to a view that they had no right recouping some of what they have poured into the joint.
They are entitled to take what they want out of the place.Without them,and their cash,Souths would be a memory.