Every year a large contingent of NRL players, both established stars and still hopefuls, leave Australia seeking adventure, fame or just an opportunity to prolong their playing careers and earn a few more dollars.
Some even discover a distant English aunt and end up playing for Great Britain.
The English Super League is awash with former NRL players and, for most, it marks the end of their careers, with few returning to the NRL.
This year was no exception, and here’s a little team who have headed to the ESL in 2022, probably never to return to the NRL.
1. Will Hopoate (St Helens)
Still only 29, Hoppa is a wholehearted player who’ll do well and will no doubt be back for Tonga in this year’s World Cup.
2. David Fusitu’a (Leeds Rhinos)
At 27 years of age Fusitu’a still has a large chunk of his career ahead of him. I’d expect him to score a heap of tries at Headingly.
3. Joey Leiluia (Featherstone Rovers)
What can you say about BJ? He had a disappointing end to his NRL career where his poor form and attitude was everyone else’s fault and a disappointing start in the UK.
Joey Leilua (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
4. Cade Cust (Wigan Warriors)
At just 23, Cust is young enough to make it back to the NRL if his career develops.
5. Nene Macdonald (Leigh Centurions)
Macdonald didn’t set the NRL alight and actually played Queensland cup in 2021, but he made a great start in England running in six tries in five games.
6. Brodie Croft (Salford Red Devils)
Another young player who has promised so much and delivered so little. At just 24, a little time out of the spotlight might just be the making of Croft.
7. Mitchell Pearce (Catalans Dragons)
Pearce has nothing to prove and should enjoy his time in the south of France.
8. Kaide Ellis (Wigan Warriors)
A big bopper and just 25 years of age, Ellis should benefit from the regular starts he’ll get, provided he can avoid further suspensions.
9. Danni Levi (Huddersfield Giants)
Good hookers are hard to find so it was a surprise to see Levi head overseas. We’ll see him in a Samoan jersey come the World Cup.
10. Patrick Mago (Wigan Warriors)
Mago is a big forward who has struggled to make an impact in his five seasons in the NRL but is still young enough at 27 to thrive.
11. Curtis Sironen (St Helens)
Young Sirro is big, experienced, skilful and versatile, and could be one of the success stories for St Helens this season.
12. Shane Wright (Salford Red Devils)
Still only 26, Wright didn’t kick-on with the Cowboys after showing a lot of early promise and will be looking for better opportunities.
13. John Asiata (Leigh Centurions)
One of the more skilful forwards to take the field in recent years, let’s hope his anti-vax stance doesn’t cost him a place in the World Cup.
14. Joey Lussick (St Helens)
Lussick was a big success with Salford during his last stint in England and after just one season back in Australia with Parramatta returns to England.
15. Kane Evans (Hull FC)
Evans is a big unit and can be destructive on his day provided that he carefully follows the instructions written on his wrist.
16. Dylan Napa (Catalans Dragons)
Often one club’s loss is another club’s gain, but I feel that this may not hold true in Napa’s case.
17. Sam Stone (Leigh Centurions)
Stone’s a better player than his 39 NRL games in five seasons would suggest, and at 26 years of age, has plenty of time to make a name for himself.
Larry1950
Guest
On that observation about a reasonable portion of expats being mid-20’s, have watched a lot of the english games on kayo & wonder why Bennett hasn’t considered Matt Parcell for at least a back up hooker spot next year. He’s from Qld, grandad was a maroon legend & tough as nails and he’s matured into a good player in England. thoughts JA?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Indeed.
Tony
Roar Guru
Well, those missing years certainly didn't help him HY, and Manly were still travelling pretty well in 2012 and 2013.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I often wonder how history would have viewed Hoppa if; 1. He hadn't put on the hair shirt and sandals; and 2. He had have stayed at the Sea Eagles and kept the momentum he had developed in 2010 and 2011.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not a bad option for a young fellow. Pick up some more experience and money, see the world a bit, and maybe make it back in the NRL some day.
matth
Roar Guru
Interesting that there appears to be more of those mid 20's fringe players here than those 30 plus types looking for a final payday. I wonder if this is a trend, with players seeing a different option to being shunted between NSW cup and the bench int he NRL.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah Andrew. Forget about Napa. Cooper wasn't a bad player in the ESL but didn't really flourish in the NRL under McGregor.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He's back with his old club Warrington Wolves. Not setting the world on fire. They are 3 from 6 this season, and not looking a great threat so far.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Out of curiosity Tony, is Mike Cooper still playing, I thought he wasn't a bad player for Saints. Napa, I think he might be a lost cause along with BJ Leilua.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Hope Catalans haven’t been sold “a pup”when they signed Pearce. I recall the Courier Mail showing a photo of Pearce with a dog on his lap with the dog’s image “whited out” to protect it’s identity. Humorous, however in my 13 years in Brisbane, I soon realised how much Sydney teams were disliked up there.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
That’s certainly a strong “case” you are making on his behalf. Steering away from puns, I have always rated SOO games as much higher in intensity than modern day Test matches (unlike those in the 60’s & 70’s) hence I assess players on their ability to perform at that level. Pearce was given several opportunities at SOO level however was unable to lift his game to that level. Suppose he was up against some pretty handy Maroons halves.
Tony
Roar Guru
Where do I sign
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You'd think Wayne might go for his biggest challenge ever and bring Junior to the Dolphins.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To be fair to Pearce… playing footy for the best part of a mill a year and living in the south of France… hard to be too critical of his (recent) life choices
Tony
Roar Guru
They say a change is as good as a holiday John, and Pearce is probably on holiday as we speak. No doubt he's taken his baggage with him.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Regarding Pearce, The Roosters signed Cronk when he became available & 2 GF’s ensued in no small part due to Cooper’s ability to control a game. I’m not denigrating Pearce’s contribution as a Rooster however his consistency & game awareness is not in Cronk’s class. Mitchell’s subsequent on & off field behaviour confirms that it was wise to let him go. A match winner however is accumulating too much “baggage”.
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
I think its a bit early to see how the knights halves will fare this year fingers cross Joey can have some input. However Pearce and Ponga last year were the only reason that kept Newie in the hunt when Pearce was not injured the knights did well and it was through him mostly that the Knights could score tries-- They seemed clueless without him. Reminds me a bit of when Joey carried the team single handed in the early 00's. He did a good service whilst he was here and was a huge step up from the wasteland that was previous to his arrival. - Oh and he finally helped win an Origin Series. Mitchell will be remembered in Newcastle as the man who dragged us out from the abyss and that is enough.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pearce played for five years under Trent Robinson. If cutting Pearce was the right move, then Robinson actually got it wrong more often than not If winning premierships was the metric for success of moving on Pearce and signing Cronk then how has moving Mitchell on been a success? The Roosters won two with him in the side and none since he’s left…
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good morning Tony. Slightly off topic however I would like to raise a point concerning one of your “team”, Michell Pearce. When the Roosters let him go & signed Cooper Cronk, the result was two premierships which may not have been achieved had that move not occurred. I was similarly disappointed when Latrell Michell left however it’s plain to see now that despite the his brilliance, his ego was too hard to rein in. Now the Knights are firing especially around the scrum base, it provides further evidence that Pearce was simply a good but not great half back & his SOO history confirms that. To summarise, it shows that when it comes to player retention, the Roosters more often than not make the correct calls in recent years under Trent Robinson. Far cry from the “Transit Lounge” period. Thoughts.