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So another player leaves from rugby league to head to another code, only this time the code is not rugby union but AFL. Suddenly the articles written about the TAB odds of Lote Tuqiri heading to the A-League aren’t so funny.
If Karmichael Hunt does well, it could well spend the end for rugby league, unless something is changed.
What I propose is that every young player making their league debut signs a contract to remain in league for a period of ten years. This will have a knock-on effect and actually improve a lot of international teams, which is what rugby league craves.
For the players who sign the contract but fail to make the NRL, they are able to head to Europe and sign with one of the growing leagues there, or the Super League, of course. There is also the new Professionalised American League.
David Gallop is a major concern on this issue.
It seems like every time a player crosses codes, or a player at the peak of their career goes to England, he has the same response: “It’s a unique case, there is no need for knee jerk reactions, we will find another player to replace him.”
But these cases aren’t unique, simply because there are so many of them.
Here is a list of players who have crossed codes in recent years: Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Matt Rogers, Sonny Bill Williams, Craig Gower, Timana Tahu, Karmichael Hunt, Ryan Cross, Berrick Barnes, Craig Wing.
Not to mention players like Matt King, who have left at their peak to go to England.
Rugby league is heading to death row unless something is done.
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