Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Christie with some R360 rumours at the Roar
Aussie Player Exodus
- Thread starter swingpass
- Start date
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
The term linked is the dumbest thing in sports.
How and who? Oh was it you listing any player who has played Rugby at some point in their life?
How and who? Oh was it you listing any player who has played Rugby at some point in their life?
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
They are claiming a number of NRL players have signed legally binding commitments to play if the competition gets up
Strewthcobber
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Yeah, previous article was a lot more definitive. Those listed NRL players have signed deals apparently
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
I expect names like Taj Annan and Carter Gordon to be there tbh. Can play Rugby and haven't seen and NRL field yet.
It'll get interest if they can land a rep half from the NRL.
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
They are reporting some players are getting offered 3/4m a year so I don’t think it will just be the recent defectors to the NRL come back
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Who is paying these "offers"? And when is the deadline gonna be? Can't just keep telling everyone that players are reportedly interested forever and a day.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
End of September
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Carter Gordon should satisfy their current player requirements, but Taj Annan wouldn't.
For the initial 200 player threshold due for October 1 as far as I'm aware the players under 30 need to have played test match rugby in the past 2 years (probably a 2023 world cup cut off) or be current test match players if they're over 30. There will probably be some wiggle room there for young, up and coming stars or guys outside of national contention because they're playing overseas, but it's likely going to be pretty obvious why they're there. How that translates to NRL players isn't immediately clear, but I'm guessing there will be some sort of metric there limiting it to the obvious stars, either established or up and coming. I can't see anyway Taj Annan satisfies those requirements.
Once they've hit that threshold and triggered the next stage of funding they can start contracting the rest of the guys to fill out their ranks, but I'd be surprised if they'd bother with someone like Annan, versus a bunch of Pasifika, Argentinian and South African mid-range talent that would likely come cheap.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Would be interesting to know what the NRL requirements are - someone like Ryan Paps hasn't played Origin or for Australia. He does have over 100 NRL games though and is under 30. Maybe that is a selection criteria for those without rep selection.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
It's hard to know specifics because it's all behind closed doors and there's probably a bit of flexibility and negotiation in what qualifies as the sort of stars they need once you get away from the obvious test players, but a Clive Churchill medal in 2020 and another couple of trips to the Grand Final since then make him a pretty easy sell at that top level, even without the 100 games.
It's possible they're are a few different categories they're working with - x test players, y established pros, some limit on how many NRL converts qualify, probably a limit on how many players under some specific age, etc.
Adam84
John Eales (66)
I disagree… squad/academy sizes(and the reduction of them) is absolutely an issue for reasons already mentioned, it’s just not the only issue. Season length is merely another one.
As for minutes played in Super Rugby, that shouldn’t be used as a key metric of success for someone being introduced to a professional environment. In fact just yesterday someone in this forum was arguing that too much exposure before they’re ready is more detrimental to players development, the example was Petaia.
QPR/SS still serve a pathway for development & academy players whilst being introduced to professional S&C and coaching, Super Rugby teams just need to get better at playing additional off-season matches like the Reds are organising.
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Crashy
Bob Davidson (42)
yep I agree. A player would need to dominate at SS / QPR level before playing Super and understand this- but being included in a professional environment, as well as locking them away from the French / domestic violence rugby serves 2 purposes. 40 in the Academy at 10 - 20k a pop soundabout right? Plus whatever the SS pays them isn't a bad start I would imagine.
Upthemaroon!
Chris McKivat (8)
It's a great start, and you can keep players accountable that way. Give them goals to work to but most of all keep them engaged.
RA is in the situation where they need to grow the base of the pyramid as well as building the pyramid to be higher.
PhilClinton
Mark Ella (57)
Carter Gordon set to play QCup this weekend.
Sheesh I thought he was gone for the year.
Sheesh I thought he was gone for the year.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
That’s great!
He’s playing for a deal now with a coaching change at the Titans which may have driven the desire to play a bit more.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
It's a bit ridiculous they made the change so late in the season, but it's otherwise a fairly reasonable adjustment to keep it in line with the rule allowing for a maximum of 5 games in a previous NRL season for the other candidates.
John S
Ken Catchpole (46)
I actually think it's the right thing as Mark's not a "rookie" really he's a professional football player who changed codes.
But it's still funny watching the fans raging against it
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
Goes to show but all the Leaguies say that Union players would struggle in the NRL