A glowing endorsement from Gareth Ellis has Hull FC poised to snap up young halfback Jacob Miller over Gold Coast Titans captain Scott Prince, despite objections from his ex-club Wests Tigers.
Former Tigers backrower Ellis has linked with the English Super League club after four NRL seasons and wasted no time stating his preference following Hull’s offers to Prince and Miller.
Junior Kangaroos half Miller has suddenly emerged as the top option after Prince met with coach Peter Gentle but failed to commit to a three-year offer.
Miller, the NSW Under 20s captain, blossomed in Wests Tigers’ junior ranks, impressing Ellis.
“I spoke with Jacob Miller before I left about the speculation surrounding him and a possible move to my new club Hull FC,” Ellis told the Hull Daily Mail newspaper.
“As far as I’m concerned, the move would be great for him.
“His path to the first team (at the Tigers) is blocked by a couple of very good halfbacks like Benji Marshall which has restricted his first-grade appearances (to five games).
“When I spoke to him he was very keen to come over to England and was looking forward to it.
“I told him a move to Super League would be great for him but it’s not for me to advise him.”
Wests Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell hoped Miller’s future lay at the NRL club after the appointment of new coach Mick Potter.
“Jacob has another year left to run on his contract here and I don’t think a move to Hull FC will be happening,” he said.
“The chances of a move might have been better earlier in the season, but there is a new coach here now and Mick wants him to stay.
“He is an impressive kid with a bright future ahead of him.”
Sluggers
Guest
They are playing the same code, but they are playing in different competitions. Hence it’s about running a successful business. To run a successful business you want the best. SL didn’t appear too concerned when they signed the likes of Danny Buderus, Matt Gidley, Luke O’Donnell, Steven Menzies, Mat King, Brett Finch, Jeff Lima, Jason Ryles, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Steven Bell, Michael Monaghan, Greg Eastwood. The loss of these players to the SL weakened the NRL, hence strengthened your competition. Sure it may have prevented a few from kicking on, but adamant those that did kick would have improved greatly playing with the likes of a Menzies or Bederus etc. The tide has changed. With the revenue now increased in the NRL Clubs are in a position to go after the best players, be it from the SL or Rugby Union. It’s just a shame the NRL administration hasn’t got the foresight to implement this. Ie: Introduce a Marquee player etc. As an NRL fan I hope we go after more players like Ellis, Graham and Burgess. They are brilliant and the NRL is better for it. Sure it will weaken your comp, but as I mentioned earlier SL weren’t to concerned about the NRL over recent times. If you can take one positive, at least those that come out here will be much better players when they go back and play for England. Which can only be good for the International game?
Adam Everitt
Roar Rookie
On the contrary, Johnno, I think it is great that we have a group of Englishmen over there. But what is good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander and the NRL can do as they see fit. If they don't want a quota then fair play, but I think that for us to improve as a nation we need one. Their player talent pool is much larger than ours as well, so maybe they can afford to be a bit more lax, particularly because the NRL does have a lot of SL-standard players; why invite ours over if they have a lot of them to begin with?
Johnno
Guest
Adam Everitt NZ have been brought up to speed because the NRL has a team there but also allow unlimited foreigners in the NRL too. Plenty of kiwis playing for aussy teams taking aussy locals spots. And Englishman are now benefiting form the NRL flexible import policy too. 4 Brugess brothers, James Graham, Gareth ellis has only just left, and a few others, and Adrian Morley of course. all the men i have mentioned are world class but have taken an aussy spot. Is that a bad thing, no it is good as they are good players who bring in the money and revenue to keep interest in rugby league. Under your policy you think then it is bad Sam Burgess and Gareth Ellis, have taken a local aussy spot in the NRL.
Adam Everitt
Roar Rookie
With all due respect, we have far too many foreign players in Super League as it is and although he will no doubt add something to our comp, he would effectively be taking the place of a young Englishman. International RL is very close to my heart, I want to see it improve and we in SL need to start thinking seriously about how we can bring England up to a standard where we can genuinly challenge Australia. New Zealand have found a way and we're not that far behind them at all.
oikee
Guest
He is brilliant. I would have him at the Broncos as well. And he is a Queenslander as well. Born in mullimbimbi, that is in Queensland . :) My mum was born their, she is a Queenslander.
Sluggers
Guest
Astonishing to think Tigers could even contemplate releasing Jacob Miller. In fact if I were the Tiger’s I would be upgrading his contract immediately. Im not a Tigers fan by any stretch, but if you watched the NYC this year you would know that Miller is something out of the box.. Little wonder he is the current NYC Premiership halfback, not to mention current NYC Australian and NYC NSW number 7. For mine I would be focusing on and retaining the youth coming through. Farah holds the key to bringing them through under his Leadership. If I were the coach I would be building my team around Farah, Woods, Miller, Sironen and Tedessco. As a Broncos fan I would take Miller any day of the week.
jayboy
Guest
How could they even think of letting Jacob go ,he is the half back of the future ,Benji is not and never has been a number 7. Hope Potter picks players to perfom in their normal position.. 3.....Buying Adam Blair who is next to useless.
marayong tiger
Guest
Tigers have to look towards youth. Keep him!