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It was a depressing weekend for rugby league fans, with news that footballing superstars Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau may all be lost to the code next year, with the trio playing Super Rugby instead.
Marshall is currently in negotiations with his club, the Wests Tigers. Despite being signed through until 2015, the 28-year-old has a clause in his contract that allows him to renegotiate if there are increases to the NRL salary cap.
As such, the club and Marshall have been locked into talks for some period now.
It hasn’t been the happiest of times in rugby league recently for the Kiwi five-eighth. The Tigers and he have struggled on the field, which even saw him dropped to the bench at one stage, he lost the captaincy of the national team, and rumours persist about he and coach Mick Potter failing to work well together.
All these factors have seen John Kirwan, the coach of the Blues Super Rugby franchise, pounce. Kirwan met Marshall’s manager, Martin Tauber, last week to discuss the possibility of Marshall playing in Auckland next season.
It’s not the first time that Marshall has been sounded out for a code switch, but it is the first time that circumstances in his life have dictated that it may well be a genuine, and appealing, option for him.
As arguably the most famous rugby league player in the NRL, his loss would be devastating for the code. Apart from his skill level and talent, he’s one of the most popular players in the game, especially among young fans. Make no mistake about it, Benji is an extremely valuable recruiting tool at grassroots level, and his exodus would be shattering for rugby league.
Unfortunately, Benji might not be the only player in the NRL departures lounge.
Sonny Bill Williams signed a one year contract with the Sydney Roosters, yet there were suggestions that he would play for the club for two seasons. However, those reports may be well off the mark with the news that his old Super Rugby club, the Chiefs, have a left a mid-field spot open for Williams’ possible return next season.
Sonny Bill is a unique type of creature, who likes to put pressure on himself by signing short term contracts in order to keep his options open and present himself with new challenges to overcome.
He has made a triumphant return to league, when many foolishly believed he couldn’t excel again in the sport so quickly. He’s been one of the best players in the competition this season, and though he’d love to win the premiership, he very well may consider his rugby league objective achieved, and that it’s time for his next challenge.
Though he previously made a successful switch to rugby union, he was only a bench player for the All Blacks during their successful World Cup campaign, and he may have a burning desire to play a much larger role in New Zealand’s Cup defence in 2015.
The Chiefs leaving a position on their playing roster for Williams is a worrying sign for league fans, for Sonny Bill has been sensational for the Roosters this year, along with being a real drawcard for the NRL.
Sadly for rugby league, this potential horror movie isn’t over just yet.
Israel Folau is technically not even rugby league’s to lose, considering he’s currently a Wallaby. However, much like Williams, Folau only signed a one year contract with the ARU, with all the talk being that he would return to rugby league next season.
Yet few could predict how quickly Izzy would adapt to rugby union. After just handful of games for the Waratahs, his sensational form saw him selected for Australia in the British and Irish Lions series.
Though there remains one game to go in the series – the decider in Sydney on Saturday – Folau has been the best player in the first two games, with daylight second. He’s been a constant threat in attack, and his rare combination of size, speed, skill and jumping ability have given the Lions nightmares.
His performances, along with the spectacle of a Lions series, have ensured that Izzy has constantly had a smile on his face and thoroughly enjoyed his rugby.
Just two weeks ago many were questioning why someone who may leave the code next year was given a Wallaby jersey. Now rugby is at very short odds to retain his services, leaving rugby league once again the loser in the ‘Izzy Sweepstakes’.
Folau’s dominant displays, along with William’s thirst for challenges, and Marshall’s potential need for a fresh start could all add up to a triple whammy for the NRL.
The code is already going though a torrid time thanks to the off-field antics of some players, and the overreaction to some punches in the opening game of the State of Origin series.
The game can’t afford further blows – pardon the pun – and the possibility of seeing Benji, Sonny Bill and Izzy all playing Super Rugby next year would, in an understatement for the ages, certainly be classified as a ‘blow’.
An urgent meeting of NRL powerbrokers is required instantly, for the game needs to do everything humanly possible to ensure that three of the biggest names in rugby league are playing in the NRL in 2014.