Semi Radradra? Of course he’s going to France. Why wouldn’t he? There’s money in France, heaps of it.
And good player like him, with his skill-set – running very fast in a powerful, fluid fashion, capable of going 80 at speed and exciting the people – rugby union will always covet that sort of player. And rugby league can’t compete. Rugby league is a small fish in a mighty big bowl.
Rugby league doesn’t of course think it’s a small fish given the relative ratings and mega-money of State of Origin, for instance, and the fact that four of the five highest-rating TV shows for 2016 were rugby league matches.
And rugby league just signed a $1.8 billion television deal, and one day the clubs will work out how much their governing body will give them.
But rugby league should know its place. Doesn’t have to like it. But it should be realistic about it.
Its place?
Rugby league, in terms of money – which is, you know, quite a large bargaining chip in the greater schema of man-movement that is the buying and selling of top football players – can’t compete with rugby union.
If rugby union wants a league man, rugby union will get that man, just as American football would, and just as Australian rules would were the AFL to ever countenance the idea of going down the path of Israel and Karmichael again – one would doubt it, but never know, moneyball is a cut-throat game of thrones.
Rugby league, you see, has a ceiling – let’s call it a “cap” – on salaries, on how much it can play its employees. It’s in part dictated by the size of the Australian market, which by international standards is small – and in another part to stop the clubs from pissing the money against the wall in the arms race for top players.
And $1.5 million for Semi Radradra for two years is not a lot of French francs in the greater schema of international Rah-Rah.
Consider, just for instance, the Hong Kong Sevens. It’s run by the Hong Kong rugby union which comprises a six-club ‘Premier League’ and a bunch of what could be called ‘Subbies’ clubs in lower divisions.
And each year – because of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament held across one weekend in April – this non-profit organisation ploughs millions back into itself. There is a facilities fund worth $US20 million. The HKRFU has $US35 million worth of assets. Not bad for a few days on the piss.
Hence the ARU’s Sydney Sevens.
This journo’s heard from a couple of figures within ARU that Asian business types, looking to capitalise on the popularity of the Hong Kong Sevens are researching the viability of a franchise-based sevens competition in the mould of the IPL and BBL T20 cricket comps.
Played in Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, maybe Darwin. Franchise-based, full of stars, 6-8 week tournament. Bunch of matches on the telly every night. Heap of money. Bob is your father’s brother.
Can’t tell you where it’s at. But the money men are thinking about it, and working out how to make it sexy enough to sell.
You reckon a bunch of the NRL’s best off-contract stars wouldn’t fancy a dabble? Still money for six weeks muck-about?
That it wouldn’t entice their managers to make flying stops across Asia?
Maybe the NRL could enter a team? Two teams! Queensland and the Blues! Prove global supremacy…
Maybe not.
But the Rah-rah’s “product” – the league men are watching. I texted an NRL player about whether he’d consider playing on the wing in French rugby for $1.5 million, he texted back: “F*** oath.”
Granted, rugby union couldn’t get Andrew Johns because Andrew Johns, for rugby league and Channel Nine, was too big to fail.
But it was quite bloody close. And rugby union, at least for Johns’ first few forays out onto ANZ Stadium in a sky-blue Waratahs top, would’ve owned the airwaves.
By some estimates the value of the publicity Johns would’ve generated would’ve seen the ARU recoup their outlay in three matches.
Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers were similar draw-cards.
But then rugby union didn’t try hard enough to secure Holy Joseph. It went hard, for sure. Old mate John O’Neill most often gets his man.
Yet some decision-makers within the code argued that Johns was too old, too prone to injury and too, shall we say, loose on the juice (as Johns would admit, and does).
So rugby union didn’t pay mad overs for Joey.
But old mate Mourad Boudjellal, President of Rugby Club Toulonnais, he would’ve. And Joey would be his kind of guy: capable of filling footy stadiums; very good at rugby XIII; a little bit interesting.
Should rugby league worry about a potential player-drain to cashed-up-and-crazy rugby union clubs in Europe and Japan and Hong Kong and Dallas Cowboys?
No. Some will go, sure. Every year there’ll be a couple, maybe four, off-contract guys who’ll be offered twice what they can get in Australia, and they’ll go to rugby union.
A few will flirt with the NFL. Because NFL.
Rugby league isn’t a private night-club. Europe and Japan can see in. And the agents are out there spruiking their men in different languages, testing the waters of the world.
Radradra still has the not-so-small matter of a domestic violence charge hanging over his head and may not even play for Parramatta anyway.
In front of the cameras Parramatta Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr sounded relatively sanguine about losing the star wing man. But then by Parramatta Eels standards losing a star player may be something to be relatively sanguine about given the club’s travails in recent times.
Anyway. Old rugby league continues to provide storylines and TV still loves the maggoty old bad-boy.
Meanwhile, rugby union’s Sydney Sevens is on February 3-5, and it’ll be really, really hot.
And as Jarryd Hayne did last year, there’ll be the odd league man having a look over the fence.
There always will be.
Bakkies
Guest
Korobete and Radrada are Rugby players.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Of course I can say that about final series.It's an in depth analysis of what can and does happen. If a game is played at Suncorp 40,000 plus ,the same game at Townsville 26,000.A hell of a difference. Penrith played Canterbury at the SFS and got an ordinary semi crowd.Much more at ANZ for the same contest. Clubs are concerned about their crowds who come through, their gates.The finals series is NRL H/O money. Of course the big teams cannot always get into the top 8 FHS , plainly obvious a very big club with aa big following that does get into the semis ,is going to impact the crowds.As compared to a club with a far smaller following. You have made the comment about performance for clubs and the big clubs, in your own code.Now you change your tune LOL. You get Parramatta v Souths in a semi at ANZ and the numbers skyrocket for a semi. That's why the NRL whilst wanting to have increases in crowds year on year, is not panicking like the news outlets and so called rl writers, and of course the other codes' writers who take delight but ignore the intricacies. " Whether i like them or not"Oh please pathetic comment .Never stated I disagreed with the total figures. I spelt out .NRL club crowds were in fact up,the effect of venues and teams competing in semis had a negative effect.. You cannot handle that,In fact you appear not to be able to handle anything associated with rugby league unless you can cast a negative. Once more I ask you to be a realist & check your own backyard re crowd declines.And start with AFL figures by Neil Cordy. It may pay you to check my responses to good and bad in the NRL thread.I criticise when I see fit, you just criticise because of your dislike for the code.Every post in every rl thread.
clipper
Guest
You can say that about any finals series - you can't always have the big teams make the final 8. Those are the figures for the season, whether you like them or not
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I can't be any clearer in what I have stated .NRL club matches up.Finals series up and down depending on venues and clubs involved. Sorry to disappoint but you won't gain any further traction. It's called analysing the real situation and where and why the plusses and minuses happened. Now be so kind as to check ones own backyard re falling crowds.Your a threadjacker.
clipper
Guest
no, you don't understand the figures are for the full season, including finals, you're just quoting home and away games so the figures aren't declining.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Sheesh It's obvious you don't understand. I will spell it out to you NRL club games 192 played Season 2015::: 2,894,147 , average 15,074 Season 2016 :::: 2,921,005 average 15,214 NRL club games are up slightly.You know the people who commit regularly ,is that too hard to grasp. As for the variance in total crowds you don''t have to be a rl nut to know where the semi finals are played(venues) and who the opposition is.That affects the all up total. Your the first to come here ,and use the excuse the big crowd following teams like Collingwood have a poor season, it affects crowds.It happens in other codes. Now be so good and do something about the obvious problems that beset the AFL and union.As you appear oblivious to their problems.You could start by donating money to the ARU.
clipper
Guest
The figures I've quoted are the official full season figures - or did you just use the H and A figures to suit your argument?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The total NRL averages are what they are.I take note of them not your figures Clipper. And FYI in 2005 was the closest NRL season on record, with Parra leading the comp and West tigers winning it.You need to do little research before going off ,as to the reasons why 2005 was so high and what has transpired since. And whilst you are so concerned about declines in averages ,go check the AFL from 2005 to 2016 decline.2016 the 2nd worst result since 2005.The highest was 2010 dropping by 5,000 ave in 2016.And this with 18 teams. Clubs in debt to over $93m.Lions in debt $13m . Go check the Super rugby situation.Declining crowds in Sth Africa ,declining Tv ratings,.ditto Australia ,ditto NZ.Sth African rugby officials are very concerned about the situation.The ARU has no money, and NZ is losing its star players now to France further depressing their local clubs appeal. And I didn't go into population increases either.Suggest you go to an NRL game and doings do double their crowds. Maths is certainly not your strong point when it comes to AFL and union.Do a bit of thread stirring there. I know you love to spend time on rl threads,to spread your rl hate, yet you ignore problems within the other codes you get your rocks off with. Reality check ,most of us are aware of the problems that exist within rugby league in this country, from participation to crowds.It;s a real pity you don't show the same awareness when it comes to your codes.
clipper
Guest
That is incorrect, Crosscoder. The total season attendance for 2016 was 3227436, for 2015 it was 3247234. I know maths isn't my strong point, but that seems like a decrease to me and, as I've said, the worst result since 2006. I didn't even mention the population has increased by a fair margin in that time, which makes that result even worse.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What the Toronto rl team has to do with the Scottish rl team ,is beyond my comprehension. I'm the first to admit the Scottish rl team needs more home growns(i don't like their current makeup)unlike the Irish who are at least pushing for more locals . You still don't get it.when the RWC I mentioned ,had many non born players for that country ,.no one made an issue out of it. If anyone represents their country of birth or heritage,regardless of whatever code, they will, play with passion,as has been shown with the Samoans and Tongans if rugby league is trying to grow the game Internationally they have to start at a lower level, than if they had been going and developed for 100 years overseas in many countries, which they haven't.Why you continue to see that as a problem, leaves me scratching my noggin. Whilst you continue to naysay suggests to me, you have little love for rugby league.It's the FitzSimons approach.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Just for your edification Clipper ,the year 2015 was the worst ,the average was 15,074.last year(2016) the average was 15,214.A small increase ,yet an increase nonetheless .Again something you ignored. In fact it was 2007 when Monday Night football came into regular being,after the record 2005 crowd year. There are many and varied reasons for crowd drops ,Titans for example and their Cof E debacle and the effect in the local community.MNF lost its shine because time wise with a 7pm start on Monday was hardly a non family night-lying NRL matches in small country or regional venues of late,ANZ stadium almost became a no go area and IMO will remain so until it becomes fully rectangular. Won't even bring up the growing transport situation in Sydney,it's self evident. Yet the NRL G/F with two teams supposedly with few fans,had the biggest G/F crowd since the early 2000s I'd be more concerned if crowds dropped after the new Parramatta stadium and refigured ANZ were in use. I'd also be more concerned if union crowds and AFL crowds were increasing.By bringing in all the extra union teams from elsewhere has diluted the strength and affected the crowds, apart from no FTA TV.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
With all the new technology TV will be having a lesser impact.Thanfully the NRL has a 5 year deal from 2018. All 16 league teams jonno, from 2018 will be getting a grant to cover their full salary cap, plus at least an extra 20%. If they can't survive on that they don't deserve to be there.. I fear for the future of the Force and to a lesser extent rebels.There are just not enough quality players to fill 5 teams. And I agree continuing to prop up 2 new teams in non heartland areas, to the detriment of your traditional clubs in the Southern states a risky one.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
More so in France hey Clipper,another BS generalisation. For a start at junior level on 20th October 2015 the FFRX111 announced it will sign a quadripartite agreement with the federation governing all schools and lycée sports. this will enable the code to train teachers to have greater collaboration with primary and secondary schools.and to develop relationships with local education authorities, school inspectorates and schools. This was somehing they could not access for decades since 1941,the year union officialdom skewered the code of rl. And union crowds in Australia and NZ Clipper? Memberships already up 15% to dat in the NRL. Perhaps you should check the BS participation figures Neil Cordy threw up in the D.T. for AFL.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
" Sydney heads" Apparently you don't go past Sydney Heads by ship to reach Auckland. Turkey has 5 teams in a very short space of time.If you think that funny or a waste of time, you are here for one reason only.Not offering a decent contribution. Your a bit late with Tasmania that happened some a couple of years ago.hardly a scoop. And we know how well your code is doing in this country jonno.Backwards perhaps. Junior numbers in football codes are falling in areas. Vic and Wa rl numbers are actually up overall on previous years.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You see jonno,your comment spells out exactly what have been saying all along. Nowhere have i suggested all players or large numbers of ru players were rl juniors.Nor have i claimed every AB player came from rl.That is a complete falsehood and you know it.Another one who puts words into ones"mouths". I'll get over it mate, when the usual code warriors who come here stating rl poached ru players and the reverse barely occured,are made to look silly. I wouldn't have broached the matter, if these guys made the usual ill informed generalisations. Semi is going to Toulon,I wish him the best.Just as I would wish anyone trying to maximise his income. I'm more than happy, my team are Premiers.
Jonno
Guest
I think all codes crowds have flatlined with wall to wall TV coverage - all codes seem to be offering free tickets (marketing?). How long Australia can maintain 5 Super Rugby teams, 16 League teams when 3 are really struggling and how long the AFL will keep subsidizing the 2 new teams is an interesting qn.
clipper
Guest
Rugger, don't think Rugby will kill off league, but league is declining, especially in England and even more so in France. Even in Australia the crowds are declining and last year was the worst since 2006, that's just the facts, no matter what long winded spiel comes back. Better product is just subjective and used by silly people trying to justify their argument.
Jonno
Guest
Yes for people that cant see past Sydney Heads - RL is going gangbusters esp in Europe where another comp has started - Turkey. Tragically the Tasmanian RL has folded while there are less adult RL teams in Melbourne than before the Storm. The number of RL teams falls each year in the heartland and its not as dominant as it was 30 years ago as other codes encroach.
Jonno
Guest
Better than most Sydney RL clubs and their provincial grounds are full
Jonno
Guest
The AFL are providing arguably a safer sporting option but still another option just as RL are offering another option in Melbourne and Fiji, Samoa etc - whats the difference???