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Israel Folau, Jarryd Hayne, Jason Taumalolo, Valentine Holmes and Marika Koroibete. The list is certainly growing.
With the recent news that Cowboys backrower Jason Taumalolo and Sharks try-scoring extraordinaire Valentine Holmes are heading over to America to trial with some NFL teams, questions have been raised as to why so many players are leaving the NRL.
The league is still competitive despite the recent dominance of Melbourne, Brisbane and North Queensland.
The resurgence of the Cronulla Sharks really got the crowds going and no one really ever saw Canberra competing the way they did this season under Ricky Stuart.
And let’s not forget that it was only three seasons ago that South Sydney completed their fairytale NRL comeback by winning the 2014 title against the Bulldogs in a dominant display.
So with competition still ripe and the salary cap still increasing with the new TV rights deal; why are players still determined to leave the NRL?
The first answer is simple and probably the most convincing: money.
While the salary cap will increase to roughly $7 million next season, many players will look at their potential earnings in the NFL and rugby competitions in Europe.
Especially when they could come back and land a sweet $1.2 million contract if things don’t work out, much like Jarryd Hayne with the Gold Coast Titans this year.
While the minimum guaranteed salary in the NFL this year is only (“only”) $450,000; the earning potential for players like Taumalolo and Holmes is exponentially greater than the NRL.
According to MoneyNation, the average salary this year is $860,000. That’s about half a million Kit Kats or alternatively a 20 per cent deposit on a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney.
While we don’t know yet if Taumalolo and Holmes will even make it into the NFL, there is that possibility that they turn into the next American football sensation.
We don’t know if they’ll make it big, but the fact that they could is all the more exciting.
Which essentially sums up why Jarryd Hayne went over to the US for those who missed it and/or still despise him for leaving in the first place.
If either player can secure a spot in the rotation or even on a speciality team, they could be in for a huge pay cheque.
While they would be foregoing a few years of being the alpha dog in the NRL, it would be worth it if they can perform under the pressure of the NFL regular season.
Heck, if Hayne continued his pre-season season form into the regular season, some might argue he would still be with the San Francisco 49ers.
It wasn’t outstanding by any means, but it was serviceable. Good enough for the NFL? Maybe.
The second answer to this $1.2 million question? International appeal.
Obviously not so much with the NFL, but the draw to play rugby at the highest level has got to be one of the biggest reasons for players to pursue a rugby career, whether that might be abroad or even still here in Australia.
Playing for the Wallabies against the All Blacks at Eden Park. Clashing with England at Twickenham. These are games that kids dream about competing in.
Games and stadiums that are revered around the world, even by writers like me who know next to nothing about rugby.
Stepping up and playing in those games are the ultimate reward for years of hard work but also the biggest challenge Australian players will face.
Compare this to the New Zealand side that the Kangaroos just put to the sword in the Four Nations final and it’s like comparing chalk and cheese.
Just ask Marika Koroibete, who will soon make his Wallabies 15s debut against the French Barbarians.
There’s certainly more money to be made in Europe but playing in Super Rugby certainly offers plenty of competition for domestic players.
The international appeal of rugby will almost always trump rugby league, and there’s still a lot of work to be done by the NRL if clubs are to become seriously competitive with Super Rugby sides in terms of draw and attraction.
And don’t even get me start on AFL. Looking at you Karmichael Hunt.
So what can the NRL do to prevent players from leaving?
Unfortunately, not much is in their control.
Australia has a well-established AFL and cricket culture, so the NRL was almost always going to be the third wheel.
And now with the A-League bursting onto the scene with some eye-catching crowd numbers, the NRL might be doomed to be the breeding ground for athletes to move on to other codes.
Who knows how many other players will try their hand at becoming a dual-international.
Greg Inglis anyone?
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