With the subject of NRL expansion a major talking point once again, many experts are questioning whether there is enough playing talent to fill another two to four NRL teams without significantly decreasing the overall quality of the competition.
To me the answer is obvious: just poach them from rugby.
In the interest of full disclosure, yes I am predominantly a league fan, although I do watching rugby on delay, as I am able to skip through all of the multiple-minute scrum breaks.
Scrums aside, I can certainly appreciate a great rugby player, as the skills on display are usually very similar to those displayed in league.
This is why I say the NRL should look to rugby to increase player depth. I mean there are so many players – far more than in league!
And they’re all from all over the place! Let’s get some Saffas in the NRL. Or why not some Argentineans or Italians who don’t even speak English? Wouldn’t that be hilarious?
NRL teams have a $9.6 million salary cap for 30 players. The best-paid players in Super Rugby earn roughly the same as the top paid NRL players (of course it’s more in French and Japanese rugby, but only for a handful of players).
Money is really not an issue.
This got me thinking, which players in world rugby would I like to see play in the NRL? So I have compiled a top-ten wish list, and this is part one.
Damian McKenzie
This fleet-footed speedster would absolutely kill it in league. For those who are unfamiliar, think Matt Dufty’s speed, combined with Darius Boyd’s ball playing and Anthony Minichiello’s skill under the high ball, plus he’s quite the sharpshooter off the tee.
He’s played fullback, flyhalf and wing in rugby. But weighing just 78kg, you’d probably try limit him to fullback in league as one doesn’t really want a man that slight defending in the front line.
But my word does he love broken play running. He’s extremely dangerous off kick-returns in the 15-man game. Imagine the danger in league with two less players on the field. Scary stuff!
Ma’a Nonu
I know he’s 36 and well past his prime, but I’ve fantasised about Ma’a Nonu in league for many years. On more than one occasion throughout his storied career, Nonu seriously considered switching to league.
At one point he actually signed a contract with Wests Tigers, but changed his mind and never returned a signed copy to then Tigers’ coach Tim Sheens.
He also toured the Canterbury Bulldogs’ facilities and met with then coach Des Hasler in late 2012. Had he signed for Canterbury, it would have set up a mouth-watering showdown in Round 1 of 2013 with former teammate Sonny Bill Williams, who was at the Roosters at the time.
Alas, it wasn’t to be and both won World Cups with the All Blacks, combining for a try in the 2015 final.
Nonu likely would have played centre in league in his younger days. If he were to switch now he’d play in the forwards. He’d make a great edge back-rower – imagine sending him running at opposition halves close to the try line – or possibly even lock given his ability to move through traffic and offload the ball in midfield.
It’ll probably never happen now, but he would’ve been a dead set champion in league, as he was/is in rugby.
Aaron Smith
If Aaron Smith played league he would not only be the best dummy-half in the game, he would also be the best Smith in the game. You think Cameron has a great passing game off the floor? Aaron throws them like bullets every single time, with pinpoint accuracy.
His halves would be getting the ball so quickly on the fifth tackle that they would never be kicking under pressure when coming out of trouble – this would be a huge advantage to whichever team he played in.
His speed off the mark would make him quite the threat as a dummy-half runner – something he doesn’t get to do much in rugby due to the lack of space around the ruck. But in league he would excel in that department, having a similar impact to that of Damien Cook.
Finally, his kicking game and general-play passing would make him equally adept at playing in the halves. However, as the best passer off the floor in either code, he would be wasted playing anywhere but hooker in league.
George North
This big Welshman is an absolute beast, and would be a sensation in the NRL. He’s 6’4 and 109kg – that’s Corey Oates plus 5kg – and is extremely quick and agile for such a big man.
He’s the prototype for the modern-day NRL winger. That’s big, fast and good under the high ball. He would make monster metres in getting his side out of trouble (as all good wingers should) and as he’s shown in rugby, he has no trouble finding the try line under pressure.
At the age of 26, there’s still plenty of time for him to make the switch. If given some time to learn the defensive nuances of being a rugby league winger, he could be the best winger in the game.
Shannon Frizell
Yes, that’s Frizell as in the brother of Dragons’, Blues’ and Kangaroos’ back rower Tyson.
Shannon and Tyson both weigh 108kg, but Shannon is 6’5 while Tyson is only 6’. There are few in this world who make Tyson Frizell look small, but his little (in age only) brother Shannon is certainly one of them.
The younger Frizell’s rise to prominence was quite rapid. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders only last year, and such was his impact that he was catapulted into the All Blacks in June the same year after just one season of Super Rugby under his belt.
He’s quite the prolific try-scorer too for a forward, crossing the line nine times in just 18 Super Rugby games, as well as once in four appearances for the All Blacks.
In league, Frizell could play anywhere in the forwards. Middle or edge, front or back row. It doesn’t matter – he’ll leave a path of destruction in his wake wherever he plays. It would be a pleasure to see him play lock – I can see him having a Jason Taumalolo-like impact on games in that position.
That’s part one of my list done and dusted. Part two will be on the way shortly, but in the mean time I would love to know which rugby players – past or present – you all would have loved to see play rugby league!
Paul
Roar Guru
The ball handling skills of forwards in Rugby have improved significantly in recent years, at least at the top level. If a prop in Rugby can't throw an offload in a tackle to keep a movement alive, he won't last long. The comparison about League and Union forwards is an interesting one, Phantom. The body shapes of the top players are hugely different for a start, which reflect the differences in the two games. Cam Smith would get snapped in two if he packed in as hooker into a Club rugby scrum, let alone a Super Rugby or Test scrum. On the other hand, League forwards are expected to be much more mobile and with the exception of the back 3 in Rugby, they probably are, but they'd lose a strength test to any decent Super Rugby front row for sure.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I reckon AAA would bevawesime in league. Big guy, bug motor, tough - similar to Jason T at the Cowboys.
Rod
Guest
Poido was a fantastic player and actually played league as a kid . So no doubt he would be made it no problems . I dont think he would have been any fitter than Price . Certainly didn’t have Prices all round skills IMO
Rod
Guest
Beale nah, just too soft for league and Bastaraud is a poor mans Dave Taylor, for the life a me a cannot understand why someone hasn’t told him to get fit, he would be sensational if he did . As it stand he would last 5 minutes and he would be subbed off the field
Phantom
Roar Rookie
League skills are much more regimented as backs and forwards are often interchangeable. While The ball may be in play more often , the players not so much. League props would struggle to tackle so much and cartthe ball up if they had to scrum like in rugby so scrums are more a huddle.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Fair call but this is only part one of the list. I can reveal that part two does contain one Australian player - and I'd be surprised if it's who you expect!
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
I know Australian rugby is at a low point, but I'm surprised you couldn't find at least one Aussie rugby player for your article! Kuridrani the bullocking centre, Quade Cooper the Stacey Jones-like 5/8, and some of the flankers would make fantastic roaming 2nd rowers for example...….
In Brief
Guest
It's hypothetical of course. But hard to see in reality given both sports are in competition. If there were more cross over you could potentially use rival players in all star matches (league) or Barbarians games (union) - this has been done a few years ago with a league player turning out in a one off match. The question is who does it benefit (marketing), what are the risks (injury/ reputation) etc
In Brief
Guest
The English rugby centre Burrell has recently signed for super league from Northampton
In Brief
Guest
Yeah, Poido was incredibly fit, strong and tough. Used to love the way he'd walk between the front row just before the scrum packed eyeballing the opposition props
In Brief
Guest
Tautology aside the point I"m making is stats can be misleading..
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It’d be pretty silly driving into a ruck while you had the ball.
Steve
Guest
We just don't see it as much anymore, in the last 10-15 years I can't think of many. Maurie Fa'asavalu Taranaki to St Helens/England Sam Harris Waratahs to Manly Jared Warea Hargreaves Waratahs to Manly/NZ Sisa Waqa Gordon to Roosters/Fiji Semi Radradra Fiji u/20's/7's to Eels/Fiji Gareth Thomas Wales to Celtic Crusaders/Wales Andy Powell Wasps to Wigan There's too many from around the world you would love to see but locally Sevu Reece, Reiko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Manase Mataeli, Vince Aso, Ben Lam.
Taipan RL
Guest
Why would anyone from a respectable international sport want to play a suburban kick and giggle??
3 R M
Guest
Pocock .
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd loved to have seen a guy like Simon Poidevin have a run in League for exactly the reasons you've described. Ray Price made the transitions and I thought Poido was a much better player, both in terms of skills but also fitness.
In brief
Guest
Don't forget rugby backs have to drive into rucks even when they don't have the ball. Also ball in play time is increasing incrementally every year.. That aside two players from the 80s who would have killed it are Phillipe Sella - superman- and Frank Mesnel. In the loose forwards guys like Hooper, Back, Watson etc would be naturals
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Agreed Harold. I no for a fact, club junior development and recruitment officer’s look around internationally and at rugby. If those talent scouts see it, they make an offer.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Folau and Radradra. : ) Actually I would love to see Josua Tuisova play NRL. He is deceptively quick and built like a tank. Also his defence is brutal and he loves the contact. His metres gained and tackle bust would be phenomenal. Also has great hands as he played 7s for Fiji, similar to Radradra. Center or wing he would be awesome.
Paul
Roar Guru
The speed of the different games is a factor I noticed you didn't mention Daniel. It's safe to say League has more live play and way less stoppages than Union and players from number 1 to 13/15 are far more heavily involved in League. I completely accept your comments about guys have transferable skillsets but it's the mental side of things that the Union guys would struggle with, especially the backs, as they play 80 minutes in League and are involved way more than in Union. This means they'd be physically more tired and more prone to making mistakes. Can guys do it, absolutely but it's not that straight forward