amirite
Chilla Wilson (44)
I think these two points are linked.
These blokes grow up in developing world countries then very quickly achieve fame, attention, and scrutiny. Even Naivalu isn't natural in front of a camera.
The Wallabies Thread
- Thread starter KOB1987
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I think these two points are linked.
These blokes grow up in developing world countries then very quickly achieve fame, attention, and scrutiny. Even Naivalu isn't natural in front of a camera.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
You make it sound like no pro player ever chose the lower paying gig because there were other factors at play. Club loyalty, location, career development, love of the game/club etc.
I think the subtlety in his comments is important.
Note that he isn't saying he signed with the Rebels/ARU because of the money they offered but has left the Storm because they couldn't make a decent offer.
He is saying he would have liked to stay with the Storm but they weren't able to make him a reasonable offer.
“I’d like to have stayed,” Koroibete said.
“I have to look after the family, especially back home (in Fiji).
“It’s a business decision; but if they gave me a good offer I would have stayed.”
T
TOCC
Guest
Specifically looking at Koroibete though, he is/was in one of the best rugby league/rugby union systems in Australia, the Melbourne Storm are a production line of talent, they take reserve grade players and turn them into test players, the level of coaching down there is second to none.
This alone, given the fact he wanted to remain in Melbourne means money was always going to be the deciding factor.
Sure other players have made decisions on other factors, but let's be realistic about it, money is the major factor for progressional athletes, 'more so then other careers given the limited time frame of a rugby player.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Of course money is a major factor but it's not the only factor as you first inferred. But going back to my original post/s, I don't actually care that he came for the cash, good on him. I care that he may be fast tracked into the Wallabies when he's just here for the money.
But anyway, as usual, this is an argument about things that have possibly been taken out of context and things that may not actually happen.
But anyway, as usual, this is an argument about things that have possibly been taken out of context and things that may not actually happen.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
True Scoey, but I'm with you in that he shouldn't be fast tracked to the Wallabies. Let's see how he pans out after a season of Super Rugby before flying him into a wing spot with the Wallabies.
I have to wonder, if he's such a gun player as most are making out, why weren't the Storm more interested in making him a deal that would see him stay?
I also wonder, on the other hand, if he will prove to be another Nadolo if we don't give him an opportunity sometime, and he goes off shore looking for more dosh and finishes up playing for Fiji or some such.
I have to wonder, if he's such a gun player as most are making out, why weren't the Storm more interested in making him a deal that would see him stay?
I also wonder, on the other hand, if he will prove to be another Nadolo if we don't give him an opportunity sometime, and he goes off shore looking for more dosh and finishes up playing for Fiji or some such.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Do you buggers really believe EVERYTHING that is printed in the newspapers/
Honestly?
A reminder: this is Grand Final week for the mungoes, and their hacks are out in force getting as many positive stories into publication as they can, one way or another.
What did you expect to read? That he really wants to leave the Storm, and would have taken a pay cut to get back to the game he really loves?
It is to laugh, as the French say.
Honestly?
A reminder: this is Grand Final week for the mungoes, and their hacks are out in force getting as many positive stories into publication as they can, one way or another.
What did you expect to read? That he really wants to leave the Storm, and would have taken a pay cut to get back to the game he really loves?
It is to laugh, as the French say.
Because he's a winger and they can only pay him so much.
They have three of the best players in the game in the key positions in Smith, Cronk and Slater and they would be taking up a large portion of the salary cap.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Munster is filling Slaters role and making a very strong go of it. He is seen as having big upside - almost the next Slater if you like. I think the injury to Slater just bought things forward and removed the need to try and hang on to him in another position for a year or two until Slater called it quits.
Melbourne have mastered the game plan of combining journey men & talented youngesters with a game plan build around Smith/Cronk/Slater (Munster). They regularly turn over players in most other positions as they are hired for significantly less but get to build their CV in the Melbourne stable, then can command more elsewhere. They won't be ecstatic about losing Koroibete, but it is a product of their successful recruitment model. They'll fill the hole.
Melbourne have mastered the game plan of combining journey men & talented youngesters with a game plan build around Smith/Cronk/Slater (Munster). They regularly turn over players in most other positions as they are hired for significantly less but get to build their CV in the Melbourne stable, then can command more elsewhere. They won't be ecstatic about losing Koroibete, but it is a product of their successful recruitment model. They'll fill the hole.
Micheal
Alan Cameron (40)
Kerevi had a few interesting comments on the Koroibete saga:
http://rugby.com.au/news/2016/09/26/23/11/samu-backs-on-marika-koroibete
Interesting insight into Fijian culture. I think his decision was a mixture of:
a) Playing the code he grew up with.
b) Linking with Naivalu.
c) Taking the better cash deal on offer. Sure he would have liked to have stayed at the Storm, but I'm sure Beale would've liked to have stayed at the Waratahs and Pocock would have liked to have stayed at the Brumbies etc etc. Cash is certainly a big factor and it'd be silly to ignore it, especially in the case of young Fijian males that have to play the role of breadwinner for 10+ relatives and friends.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that, absolutely nothing wrong with acknowledging it in the media. I have no quarrels with Koroibete saying that he enjoyed his time at the Storm and would've stayed if the circumstances were right. Of course he would have.
I'm sure he'll be a worthy and dedicated member of the Rebels and the Australian rugby community regardless.
http://rugby.com.au/news/2016/09/26/23/11/samu-backs-on-marika-koroibete
Interesting insight into Fijian culture. I think his decision was a mixture of:
a) Playing the code he grew up with.
b) Linking with Naivalu.
c) Taking the better cash deal on offer. Sure he would have liked to have stayed at the Storm, but I'm sure Beale would've liked to have stayed at the Waratahs and Pocock would have liked to have stayed at the Brumbies etc etc. Cash is certainly a big factor and it'd be silly to ignore it, especially in the case of young Fijian males that have to play the role of breadwinner for 10+ relatives and friends.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that, absolutely nothing wrong with acknowledging it in the media. I have no quarrels with Koroibete saying that he enjoyed his time at the Storm and would've stayed if the circumstances were right. Of course he would have.
I'm sure he'll be a worthy and dedicated member of the Rebels and the Australian rugby community regardless.
I disagree, the Wobs are very lacking in decent quick wingers who score tries will win one on ones
Scrubber2050
Mark Ella (57)
T
TOCC
Guest
If that was your interpretation of my comment then so be it, there's quite obviously other factors with influence a players decision, in this case I don't doubt that money was the major one.
There's a well worn parth to Europe for a reason, and it's not purely because players want the opportunity to see other parts of the world, it's because of the money on offer. Rugby union loses so many schoolboys to rugby league because of one thing, money.. one code has the money to offer schoolboys contracts en masse, and the other doesn't.
This isn't a stab at Koroibete, it's more a stab at the context of the article which has painted Koroibete as some sort of villain because he accepted the higher value deal. Who cares if he did, that's the reality of the modern game..
As for those questioning why rugby union valued him above rugby league, well that's a questionable issue as well.. NRL clubs and specifically the storm are shrewd negotiatiors and intelligent long term planners, they know where the value in a team lies. They have long placed an emphasis on retaining the spine of their team(hooker, halves, fullback) and build around that, and Koroibete doesn't tick that box.
Wingers are one of two things in rugby league, young players early on in their career who will inevitably move to the centres/fullback, or a dedicated winger with limited earning potential. Koroibete is a good winger, but unless he intended to move to the centres then he isn't valued very highly in league.. was rugby union right to value him so highly? IMO no he isn't worth that much... but they have him now, so I'm excited to see what he can do
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Fair enough. So in your learned opinion our front rows, locks, back rowers, halves and centres are all good enough. If they are, fine, spend a lot of money on a finisher. But if they are not, what sort of ball will the finisher get to score these "one on one" tries?
Maybe he will turn out to be an inspired choice. But he will have to spend a bloody lot of time off his wing looking for the ball. And he does not look big enough for that role.
None of those other positions can really be fixed quickly through recruitment.
Barring the 10 jersey, we seem to have a lot of young players developing nicely to improve our depth and matchday 23 options in the other positions you've identified.
Barring the 10 jersey, we seem to have a lot of young players developing nicely to improve our depth and matchday 23 options in the other positions you've identified.
T
TOCC
Guest
I'm with Wamberal in that wing isn't a priority position in Australian Rugby, Wallabies lack in the playmaker and big ball running category, but recruiting a player like Tepai Moeroa and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is prohibitively more expensive and the NRL can offer more to young players like Angus Crighton and Kayln Ponga then the ARU is willing too.
Losing To'omua and Beale in the same season was a planning succession blunder by the ARU, it's only been softened by QC (Quade Cooper) deciding to return home. Retaining the spine/core players should be the priority for the ARU, but it's obviously quite subjective and more difficult to do in rugby union then it is in league.
Losing To'omua and Beale in the same season was a planning succession blunder by the ARU, it's only been softened by QC (Quade Cooper) deciding to return home. Retaining the spine/core players should be the priority for the ARU, but it's obviously quite subjective and more difficult to do in rugby union then it is in league.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I agree with your argument in principle but there isn't a specialist winger in the current Wallabies 23 which kinda indicates there's a bit of a hole there at international level. If a player like Koroibete comes at the right price then I'm all for it and from what I saw on Saturday I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table. He's obviously going to say his heart's with the Storm right now, it's grand final week and they're in it!
Angus was on the Rabbitohs payroll since about year 9 I think. But again your argument in principle is right.