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
Bulldog
Guest
Agree with all your list except for Quade Cooper. I think he would be a disaster due to his lack of defence. There is nowhere to hide in the NRL if your defence is suspect, particularly given there being 4 less players on the paddock. They may be able to hide him somewhat at fullback but at five-eighth they would run traffic at him all day re: Thaiday running over Maloney all day Game 2 SOO. Quade would get embarrassed if he ever played NRL. Nothing wrong with his attack though.
Horatio
Guest
I have followed Benjis career closely and now we discover that Benji played for NZ under 17s Rugby. When he came out of Keebra park High, there was zero mention of this...
Dwayno75
Guest
True!
blackcaviar&broncos
Guest
+100
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
The NRL is already pillaging the Rugby union clubs in Australia but even they know they won;t find talents in Australia, they would have to look outside the box into countries where Rugby Union is GOD...some big name league players have come to Fiji over the last 5 years to take our rugby union talents to league, some have been successful as in Koroibete, kev Naiqama...Koroibete was dreaming of donning the 15's jumper but he was taken to league....another famous player is Sisa Waqa for the Storms, he was a star FlyHalf in Fiji in 15's rugby but he has been thrown on the wing for the Roosters and then the storms...
Davey
Guest
Kiwi is right the NZ school rugby union comps supply not players to the All Blacks but also to Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Japanese, UK rugby, France and Ireland as well as the NRL, super rugby, ITM cup and NRL under 20's.
Kiwi
Guest
The NRL is already has a fair amount of union players. It's an increasing trend for clubs to sign promising NZ union players between the ages of 15 and 18. The younger ones either stay in NZ, traveling for camps, or move to Australian league schools. I'm talking about kids with no league background here, not junior league players playing union at high school. For every older player league loses it gain so many more. The cap might work against the clubs at the top level, but union isn't competing with the NRL cash and incentives at a junior level.
Tigranes
Guest
Steve have you seen parramatta eels playing lately...I don't think too many of them would be playing super rugby
Tigranes
Guest
Nadolo was way overhyped...when he signed with the tags it was huge because he was related to tuqiri and he was a 120kg winger, who turned out to be a liftle boy in the body of a giant
Brucey
Guest
Great article. But what can RL do about it. The NRL must make it super attractive for clubs to sign union talent. Perhaps only 25% of their salary to contribute to the cap in the first 2 years?
SA
Guest
Willem Alberts from South Africa would make an amazing league player
Banana Bob
Guest
Reserve graders at their best
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Nalaga, is a good shout, 82 tries in 120 games for his club can only be matched by a league winger......Lets not forget Nemani Nadolo, he makes Vatuvei look like a puppy.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ShpQ3UnpM
Stu Wilsons Gloves
Guest
Please league take James O'Connor.
Davey
Guest
There are many non super rugby players who will go well in league. Tuilagi brothers (Andy, Alesana, Manu), Napolioni Nalaka, and many from the Samoa, Tongan and Fijian national teams. Some good skillful players in the IRB 7's circuit as well who will go alright like Faasoliva, Lolo Lui, Afrika, Ryder, Cama....
Nick Campton
Roar Pro
It'll never ever ever ever happen, but I'd love to see Michael Hooper have a go in league as an edge second rower. His speed and leg drive would make him a terror. The two more that would be sensational are George North (bit of an obvious one) and Tatatfu Polota-Nau
pogo
Guest
I would agree with the possible exception of Owen Franks because he tackles like a truck and Mealamu (at least the younger version) because he never fails to make ground with the ball in hand due to his low centre of gravity.
pogo
Guest
I think the blues and warriors have a bit of an agreement.
pogo
Guest
Jerry Collins and Schalk Burger in their prime would have been a pretty good pair of props in league.
pogo
Guest
Nice article, and no trolls have arrived yet. I wouldn't move savea to prop, I'd keep him at wing. With Halai on the other side. Also kieren Read: tough as nails, strong with ball in hand, huge work rate and hits hard in the tackle.