The Wallabies are going to have to change their policy on not picking overseas based players. Recent reports suggest NRL player Greg Inglis is searching for a cashed-up European rugby club to play for next year.
If he goes to France I would definitely want him in the Australian team.
He has a good three to four years of rugby life left in him and would be a bigger draw card than Israel Folau. Inglis is also a more experienced and I would say a better player than Folau was in league.
As more of our top line players head off the problem will be the same, whatever policy the ARU maintains. A good percentage of our best players will be overseas and Super Rugby will become a super breading ground for our young players, and even returning veteran international players who will have a lot of experience to offer.
Currently, French Top 14 teams buy up all the old former internationals. As more players in their prime make the move to France there will be an opportunity for Super Rugby teams to offer one or two-year contracts to unlock their experience.
This will be a negative if too many oldies are trotting around but I would expect young players to keep pushing through.
Rugby has now become truly international and unfortunately the money is not in our backyard.
We need to take advantage of strengthening our player base any way possible. For every player leaving there will be another youngster waiting for the chance.
If you look at soccer it is clear that smaller nations have been benefiting from this experience, like Switzerland and Belgium. Strong home leagues combined with a handful of their superstars playing in England, Spain, Italy or Germany benefit the national team.
These moves are good for Australia, and bad for France. It sounds good to me.
Euan Brown
Guest
the wallabies are awesome :):):):PPPPPP::::P:P:P:P:P:P
RobC
Roar Guru
Rhino, this is news for Oz. Esp Qld NSW league. Not really for others GI simply put, is a modern league legend: - winner of both golden boot AND churchill award. Neither SBW Burgess Folau won golden B. Burgess won churchill last year - was richest teenager in league - A match and tournament winner. Won NRL titles for most teams that he played for - A key Qlder in our State of Origin - He loves to trounce NSW teams in SOO. And does it often He's not a young lad anymore. Im not sure he can make the WBs, or anything. But if he joins Rugby, I think it will be good for him, and the code.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Inglis is skilled but lazy. The amount of times I've seen him bludging behind his defensive line and then 5 times longer to react to a break than he should of is uncountable so don't ask me. He wouldn't do well at Union because there is too much to do, even at the subbie grade speed of the Top 14.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You don't have your heart in your mouth each tackle looking at how the tackler falls and if he can get up quickly to play the ball, or whether his team mate is there to go right over the top, then looking at where your teams supporting players are? Probably not, just another tackle to a leagie.
clipper
Guest
Much to the detriment of Rugby, as when another league player gets into trouble (as in the Arizona Souths affair) they are, overseas and in the other half of Australia, inevitably referred to as 'Rugby' players.
Birdy
Guest
Ahhh, Matt Rogers. Thanks The Sheriff. As an old pom the very mention of that name takes me back to 2003 Australia V England before the world cup when Josh Lewsey ended his surfing career by rearranging his ribs.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Many people in other rugby playing nations don't even know that another game called "Rugby League" exists. I only found out when I was 23 years old and had been a hardcore rugby fan my whole life. And that's because I lived with some Aussies for 3 months. I don't think rugby needs "League stars". No-one knows who they are.... Only in Australia ;-)
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Who's Greg Inglis? And how can anyone say he'd be the best in both rugby and league when he's never even played professional rugby before? People can make up nonsense hey. Some dude whom fans from other big rugby playing nations have never even heard of (but I assume is very talented and a big NRL name) will suddenly be the best rugby player if he transfers? That's like saying Brian Habana would be the best wide receiver in Americas NFL if he went and played football in the US. LOL
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
I often wonder if there are any stats about how many league players, and who, come to union and made a long term success of the change. Not just a few seasons
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
+ lots BBA and The Sherif
Qldfan
Roar Rookie
He's got 3 to 4 years left in him! I know nothing about his playing days, so has he played Union before - ever. If so, how long ago was it. Imo it looks like he knows his playing days are limited, and is just looking for the highest paid offer he can get, no matter where it is or if he is able to play and understand the game
The Sheriff
Guest
Too old and too fragile. Remember Mat Rogers hardly ever finished a training session let alone a match for the Tahs. he got more attention from the Tahs Dr than anyone before or since.
Pillock
Guest
Agree entirely Certainly one of the best in the world in league or Union and would walk into any side
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It's the other way around. He's being chased by euro clubs but it's firmly believed he's already talking to south sydney about an extension. Whether or not he's just waiting for a top up from the NRL remains to be seen.
Mike from Tari
Guest
You are blinkered, half your game is taken up with penalties & stoppages, ridiculous yellow cards & send offs, I liked Union 20 years ago, the ball was in play 50% more than now.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Are you deliberately trying to compare them on different metrics?
onside
Guest
Regardless of his star quality, and assumed success ,all that, the Wallabies problems are all focussed on the front row. But the patience required to develop forwards, is as costly as the patience required to develop a stayer capable of running in the Melbourne Cup.If Greg Inglis is attracted to rugby, I have no doubt the 'gate' would cover his costs.But the Wallabies would still be no more formidable an opposition,because the engine room would remain the same, unable to dominate those high ranked rugby nations that focus on fielding powerful front rows. Super Rugby aint World Cup Test Rugby.
jimmy
Guest
They need league players but still nobody cares.
DanFan
Guest
only in Australia.
bilbo
Guest
Is there any rugby stars to sell your game or do you need league players for publicity.