Unlike rugby union, league appears to have an endless supply of new talent who continue to keep the game fresh and exciting. You only have to look at this year’s key statistics to find new names dominating.
We have a young guy called Matt Dufty who was given the task of replacing Josh Dugan in the St George Illawarra Dragons’ fullback position. He’s currently leading the league for line breaks, ahead of another handy fullback, James Tedesco.
Dufty showed glimpses of class late last year, but now he’s creating havoc from the back and scoring long-range tries just like Billy Slater did when he introduced himself to first grade.
In fact, Dufty’s current form is sure to keep James Tedesco on his toes in the lead up to the selection of the New South Wales Origin fullback.
Then we have another fullback who just turned 20 years old in March, leading the tackle breaks stat. His name is Kalyn Ponga and he’s on the way to becoming the next big thing. This wunderkind not only steps like a young Benji Marshall, he also possesses a passing game with skills akin to that of Johnathan Thurston.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Another impressive up-and-comer is 19-year-old winger Nick Cotric from the Canberra Raiders. He’s not far behind Ponga in the tackle breaks, which is impressive as he’s currently playing behind a losing team. He’s an ex-Australian Schoolboys representative and it’s clear he exudes the ‘X’ factor with ball in hand.
Other relatively new household names include Latrell Mitchell at the struggling Roosters, Manly’s Tom and Jake Trbojevic, Brisbane’s freakish winger Jamayne Isaako, the Titans Ash Taylor, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards, Souths’ Angus Crichton, the Cowboys’ Coen Hess and Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Carr just to name a few.
These guys are more than ready, willing and able to take over from our current ageing stars like Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen.
I’m not saying the impending retirement of these champions won’t leave a hole, but it’s comforting to know that it will eventually be filled.
We often get caught up in the shock of losing players like Israel Falou and Semi Radradra to other codes, but it doesn’t take long before new stars emerge. This golden production line is what makes rugby league the greatest game of all.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Not bagging Burgess.Bagging the ru selectors.He was indeed not ready. Their PR exercise backfired.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Check Warrior's crowds compared with S15 crowds in NZ(where union is the national code).
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That's totally incorrect.I have many times heard about player X being a former rugby union player.Rabs Warren had a habit of doing so. eg Angus Crichton(Souths) they mentioned the fact he was a union player at school and the Waratahs were after him. Hurrells union background has been mentioned.Even going back to the days of Rex Mossop his union background was always brought up. As was Tohu Harris,Simon Mannering. Jared W Hargreaves came from a lower grade ru team mentioned on TV. Darryl Halligan who played for the Dogs was mentioned as a ru player. Mike Cleary,John Brass,Brett Papworth all mentioned at times. Do the RU commentators overseas talk about SBW's rl background? Never heard RU commentators talk about Kurtley Beale's rl background. People appear to hear what they want to hear.
In Brief
Guest
Fair point but you're being a bit harsh on Burgess. I actually thought he did pretty well he was just fast tracked too quickly and ended up being a bit of a scapegoat in the World Cup.
In Brief
Guest
The main source is NZ juniors and they do have a genuine rugby background
In Brief
Guest
For a sport with blanket media coverage on the east coast league crowds are not great. Average Super rugby crowds are consistently higher than average NRL crowds.
In Brief
Guest
League commentators would prefer to chew gravel than say anything remotely positive about rugby union, so no they don't acknowledge rugby union heritage.
theHunter
Guest
Whether the scouts take Union Juniors or not the fact remains that NRL made them way better than what Union would have done for them. Isn't that the reason why Union scouts oversaw them for others only to realize later on that this players, now playing League, are superstars and a way better than the ones they initially selected or invested in? These players would or may have missed out in earning anything for their skills altogether if NRL didn't give them a chance. So the argument that is made in this article is valid. The skills and smarts coming through is still high because the scouts for NRL are doing an awesome job of maintaining this.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Jonah Lomu.Wasn't he a rl junior before attending a ru school? For a start ,I doubt everyone in China.India with 1/3 the world's population would have heard of any one like Jonah or Jonny Wilkinson.Let's not get carried away with the "everyone Not hard being a rl fan at all. The most recognised player in ru in Australia is a former NRL player :Folau. The game is on FTA in this country.The Warriors are doing well with decent NZ crowds.The code has secured a $2bn Tv deal. At this point of time , the NRL has not found the need ,to axe a club because of finances and shallow player pool. Must be doing something right at times, FitzSimons keeps bagging the code(rl) at every opportunity, ignoring the problems within his own.That's almost a complement.
Tingo Tango
Guest
On what basis do you say this? If they want the talent then RU has to work for it like any other code. Having a greater international stage is an advantage but not the only thing players are looking for. For me the danger for both forms sports is aussie rules. Fantastic junior development backed up by a strong national competition and lots of cash. Yes it does have its international limitations but they can worry about that in 20-30 years once they have cemented their position in all major capitals.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Not at all. But if you want to start off by telling authors that their article only took ten minutes to write you are clearly an expert on how easy things are to write. Put your hand up and have a go if it’s simple. I don’t always agree with what gets put up but I applaud anyone who has a go. I look forward to your first piece.
RoryStorm
Guest
Bit sensitive are we?
Dutski
Roar Guru
Hey RoryStorm. The Write For The Roar button is top right, since you clearly think you can do better.
matt h
Guest
What percentage of is a 'large percentage exactly'. And of those players how many play union at school because they go to private school, therefore they have to?
Da No
Roar Rookie
So what? League crowds are relatively stable - rising slightly - in Australia (and NZ) while rugby crowds are in freefall in both countries. Warriors outdraw the blues and every Sydney league team out draws the Waratahs, who used to draw 25k plus per game 10 years ago - now 10k. Then there's Melbourne. Storm averaging 17k and rebels about 8k.
rebel
Roar Guru
That's true, its called the Telegraph.
MikeT
Guest
rugby union is 1000x bigger than league in the US. If you don’t get that you there is something wrong. Grass roots rugby dwarfs league, at high school and collegiate level rugby has established and growing competitions including women’s rugby. Rugby 7s is booming off the back of the olympics. The new professional major league rugby has tv contracts with CBS, ESPN and local providers, while the US and other games are shown on NBC. The us national team regularly draw 20k to big games and the all blacks have sold out soldier field two years ina ow and have a documentary on Amazon soon. Really, do some research first mate.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No mention of junior rl players who became ru players.Nah would never happen!!!
MikeT
Guest
Just a couple that spring to mind from rugby union in nz over the last couple years: Nelson asofa Solomona, roger tuivasa sheck, suliasi vunivalu, Solomone kata, Konrad hurrell, Albert vete, Isaiah papalii, Hayze perham,
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Wrong. Matt Steeler These gents came to the NRL to get back in. and get a 2nd chanceThe NRL didn't chase them as an act of desperation to get back in. And it is not the only sport to do so. One only has to look at the time taken for Carney to get back in. Amazing how people retain their jobs in the work force (unless it involves driving for work) after being convicted of D.U.I a potential killer act. . BTW this nation was built on the backs of convict settlers and labour,maybe we should sweep that under the carpet.