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It seems that the centuries-old tradition of code-crossing is again picking up some steam from when it was popular in the late 90s.
In the last few years we have seen many try their hand at the other sport, with names like Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers springing to mind.
However, it seems that the most recent, big Israel Folau, has a chance to be the most successful of them all.
Either way, the latest Benji Marshall defection got me thinking: who among the rugby union ranks are some of the best talents that league would love to get their hands on? I came up with this list.
For the sake of ease, I have only included current Super Rugby players
Rene Ranger (Blues)
Rene Ranger is your classic centre, a hard-running, no sense of self preservation, battering ram, just what many of the NRL’s teams could use.
He has been linked to the Warriors a number of times, but the legitimacy of these links are questionable.
Ranger has seriously stepped his play up to what many expected he could do this year, and he is finally cracking back into the All Blacks’ side.
This is one guy who could easily make the transition.
Proposed league position: centre, second row
Proposed suitors: Eels, Dragons, Cowboys
Liam Messam (Chiefs)
Code-crossing is generally more popular with the backs of the world, but Liam Messam is an one of the few forwards in rugby who could make the switch look easy.
His brute power and strength have made him the object of the Tigers’ desires in previous years, and if he were interested in making the switch, there’s no doubt he’d have some suitors this time around.
Proposed league position: prop, second row, lock
Proposed suitors: Eels, Panthers, Knights
Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
While he’s had a fairly down year, something happened to Israel Dagg when he pulled on that black jersey a few weeks ago to face France.
Ever since then, Dagg has made himself look like the old Dagguar that was given the keys to the no. 15 All Blacks jersey in the first place.
Dagg’s blistering speed and mean sidestep would make him the object of any league team’s desire were he to gauge his interest.
Proposed league position: fullback, five-eighth
Proposed suitors: Broncos, Cowboys, Eels
Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
If I could choose any player to come over from union and play for my team in the NRL, it’d be this guy. Julian Savea is one of the true monsters of Super Rugby, and he plays on the wing.
The last time anyone said that, they were talking of the great Jonah Lomu. Does this guy have the talent to be Jonah Lomu 2.0? One thing’s for sure: this guy would be on the radar of a hell of a lot of teams
Proposed league position: prop
Proposed suitors: Sea Eagles, Storm, Panthers
James O’Connor (Rebels)
I have just recently written an article on how I think the Tigers could possibly have a go at O’Connor and/or his good mate Kurtley Beale, and for obvious reasons.
James O’Connor is a young, classy utility back with a deadly sidestep that, with the 10 required metres, could be game-changing.
While it is unknown where perhaps James O’Connor’s best position on the park is, that is surely no deterrent for this freak footy player.
Potential league position: fullback, centre, five-eighth
Potential suitors: Broncos, Cowboys, Tigers
Kurtley Beale (Rebels)
Just this year not only has an NRL team (the Dragons) reached out to Beale, but he himself has stated he would like a shot in the code before his career is out.
While less versatile, Beale is arguably the better playmaker than his good mate James, and would be a hot commodity if he were to put himself on the market.
Potential league position: five-eighth, fullback
Potential suitors: Broncos, Storm, Tigers
Quade Cooper (Reds)
To say this guy would be a good league player would be like saying the Pope will probably pray tomorrow.
While he has come under plenty of scrutiny, it’s clear clubs are still clambering over him, with teams coming from afar to try and convince him they are worth his time.
He would certainly bring the most media attention out of the seven on this list, but he would easily sidestep all the cameras towards the try line of success.
Potential league position: five-eighth, fullback
Potential suitors: Broncos, Storm, Tigers
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