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It’s a timeless argument among union and league fans – which code is better?
But what does ‘better’ mean? Does it refer to which code is more attractive? More appealing?
We may have arrived at an answer with Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita airing his dirty laundry last week.
If you haven’t heard by now, the big man wants to join rugby union, or at least that is what he’s saying at the moment.
You can take this with a pinch of salt as football stars aren’t the most honest of people, see Sonny Bill Williams and his Bulldogs contract.
For many years union sat behind its blue collar cousin as a game for gentlemen that never reached the mass appeal in Australia that league managed.
But this appears to be changing. There seems to an asymmetry in the number of high-profile players that move between codes in favour of union. Jason Robinson, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri, Brad Thorne, Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier, Chris Ashton (England), Ryan Cross, Cooper Vuna and now Benji Marshall have all made the move, and there are many more.
To avoid confusion, this is not to say that these players turned into great union players, but at the time of the switch they were high-profile in league. Moreover, this is not to say that union is stealing viewership from the NRL, rather that some big-name players have simply converted.
While union is becoming more appealing, the pay check is not the only allure.
Fifita was offered a $875,000 a year from Canterbury, substantially higher than what he would be paid as a Super Rugby player or as a Wallaby. This is especially true in light of the recent Pulver-initiated salary cuts for Wallaby players.
Moreover, this player migration does come at a cost for league. Essentially, the loss of high-profile players means less revenue for clubs and a decreased number of fans at games.
Sonny Bill is provides an apt example of the impact than one player can have in generating revenue for a club or country.
But why is this switch happening?
It could be the attraction of a legitimate World Cup every four years, or the appeal of a truly international sport with mass coverage in more than three countries. It may be that union has a number of high-profile cups or tournaments that are growing in stature outside of the World Cup.
It could also be attributed to the appeal of travel that union opens up at the end of a contract. Many union players end their careers in France or Britain on large salaries able which provides them a comfortable ending and financial security to their illustrious careers.
It may have something to do with league players (particularly in Australia) wanting to escape a culture that labels them as violent and thuggish – a culture developed by very few but worn by the entire sport.
Or, it might just be the flavour of the month. Players like Sonny Bill, whether you like it or not, are trendsetters and hold an appeal that others want to replicate.
Similarly, many in the NRL may feel, with the emergence of players like Quade Cooper, that their style may be successful in the union where it might not have been when the game was dominated by 115kg forwards.
While the reason is not clear, it is undeniable that union is attracting more players from league. What this means popularity of both sports is yet to be determined, but it does provide some compelling arguments for union fans in the endless debate of which code is better.
Why do you think that union is attracting more league players? And is this bad for the NRL?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.