League Targets

[WorkingClassRugger]

And worth highlighting that despite all that revenue, the FFR actually lost money on the tournament. Guaranteed $100m is probably a pretty good deal

That had a lot to do with the FFR paying overs for the event coupled with them buying the rights to the hospitality for the tournament in partnership with Societie Generale who you can guarantee got paid their dues.

 

[Major Tom]

Does Aus rugby get money from the NSW government that bidded for final? Or does that go to world rugby?

 

[Major Tom]

Aren't worth $250m to them - smaller stadia, weaker dollar, (probably) cheaper tickets and a lack of government bidders for games will all reduce the value of a pool to NZ compared to Australia.

The biggest take away from that comment from Kearns from mine is that NZ may never host a solo world cup again, the economic factors are stacked to heavily against them and there is little to no growth potential for the game. If they do ever want to host again I think their only chance is a combined bid with us.

I would love them to come to us so we could just say “not viable” to us.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Gov money goes to WR (World Rugby). It's their event.

This is why Vic gov "boycotting" the MCG made no sense

If ticket sales exceed some number, they share some of the revenue with RA, so there is an incentive there

 

[Major Tom]

Writ Large: Meet the teen star ready to replace DCE at Manly

Onitoni Large has enjoyed a schoolboy football career every bit as decorated as that of Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i. That’s why Manly feel their future is bright despite the departure of Daly Cherry-Evans.

www.smh.com.au

This is honestly depressing. Manly having 2023 U18s Captain Joe Walsh and Onitoni Large the NSW U16s Captain who blew away everything in front of them.

Interested to see how he goes for Scots this year but just wanting to play him in the NRL trials says there's something to the kid. I knew he was quick but 10.74 already and he wants to break the GPS record of 10.58 is bloody quick for a five-eighth.

Said it in regards to other kids who have chosen League. I hope Rugby don't just go incommunicado with them. He's 17 and going to be on the market again by the time hes 20/21 and Rugby should be welcome to submit an offer and leave good relationships.

So he could have been the wallabies answer to Beauden Barrett.

 

[Crashy]

vultures

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not game to go that far when he's still a kid but having seen him play a reasonable amount at Schools and rep level I will be astonished if Large doesn't end up a marquee NRL Five-Eight or Fullback by 2030.

Type of guy Rugby should continue to chase with eyes on post RWC money and throw the idea of Home Olympic 7s at them when he will be maybe 25 years old at that time.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Feels the place to post it so we don't infect other threads but NRL360 reporting (for what it's worth) that the Titans are hoping they can offload Fifita which shouldn't be too hard and depends what they have to cover but to then get cash to offer Adam Reynolds who is off contract and wants to stay in SEQ.

I bring this up because another half at the Titans would further shove Carter Gordon who hasn't played a game further down the list there. Now, Rugby's problem is going to be the fact PNG or the Perth Bears are going to be looking to fill 30 squad spots and if I was Perth, Carter isn't a bad option given he's at least somewhat known to a Rugby audience as well. If they can land a decent half you can take a swing on CG at Five-Eighth.

 

[LeCheese]

Feels the place to post it so we don't infect other threads but NRL360 reporting (for what it's worth) that the Titans are hoping they can offload Fifita which shouldn't be too hard and depends what they have to cover but to then get cash to offer Adam Reynolds who is off contract and wants to stay in SEQ.

I bring this up because another half at the Titans would further shove Carter Gordon who hasn't played a game further down the list there. Now, Rugby's problem is going to be the fact PNG or the Perth Bears are going to be looking to fill 30 squad spots and if I was Perth, Carter isn't a bad option given he's at least somewhat known to a Rugby audience as well. If they can land a decent half you can take a swing on CG at Five-Eighth.

Wasn't one of the reported reasons he left rugby / signed with the Titans that he wanted to return to SEQ? Pretty doubtful he'd be keen on a move west 12mo. later, but who knows

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

If that's your'e option though.... I'm sure the Tweed Seagulls will have him if he doesn't want to move? He ain't getting a call by the Broncos.

If he's that stuck on staying there the Reds might have a need at 15 even though he's an unproven option there.

 

[LeCheese]

If that's your'e option though.... I'm sure the Tweed Seagulls will have him if he doesn't want to move? He ain't getting a call by the Broncos.

If he's that stuck on staying there the Reds might have a need at 15 even though he's an unproven option there.

If his only option in the NRL is to move west, it won't surprise me if he ends up chasing some Euros or Yen instead

 

[Crashy]

Yeah. Can see him in japan instead of playing more DV rugby.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Look I agree and still think his move was a strange one. I expect him to be given a game or two in the NRL but I don't really see how his game fits.

With his time away and still relatively unproven in Rugby as a top tier performer how much can he demand in terms of pay compared to that of an average NRL player from 350-450k? Not all these guys are making mega bucks overseas, it's just more than what Super Rugby can pay them.

 

[Dctarget]

He's definitely super quality and would be a starter at the Brumbies or Tahs next year. Bit of coin floating around for 10s after Lolesio leaves. Hopefully he can come back.

 

[Sword of Justice]

Isn’t his back completely fucked? I think the Titans would have given him some minutes if they could.

 

[Dctarget]

Isn’t his back completely fucked? I think the Titans would have given him some minutes if they could.

Yeah they keep saying he's a few weeks away. Never a season injury but also spinal fluid leaking doesn't sound fantastic...

 

[PhilClinton]

I was hearing that Gordon was being viewed more as a centre and even fullback in the NRL, one of the blokes I know who's involved with the Titans said they were hoping for a Matt Burton lite type of player.

I actually think some more genuine play makers coming to the Titans setup would benefit Carter if they're looking to play him in that way.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sounded like a terrible injury but if/when fit he'll have to play a few Q Cup games. They probably would have wanted to blood a guy like him during the SOO period but can't see that happening.

Tricky spot for him and Super Rugby as you would assume he'd want/need a RA top up to come back but are they just going to hand him one? I know I'd rather see the money go to some other guys currently in Rugby to stay here or kids in the system to lock them up.

 

[PhilClinton]

Isn’t his back completely fucked? I think the Titans would have given him some minutes if they could.

Or at least in the QCUP

 

[rugboy]

Wright possibly heading back to league

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/ryan-matterson-could-be-off-to-super-league-as-eels-continue-roster-revolution/news-story/8f8fb0be82820f11ba57d00f73b061b7

RUGBY FACE BATTLE TO KEEP WALLABIES STAR

Rugby Australia have a fight on their hands to keep Tom Wright after it emerged that at least one NRL club had approached the Wallabies superstar over a potential return to the code.

Wright also has interest on the table from French and Japanese rugby but sources close to the 27-year-old told Sport Confidential that an approach had been made by an NRL side amid talk that the game could introduce exemptions for rugby union players to help fatten the player pool.

They will need to act fast given Wright is believed to be only days away from accepting a lucrative offer to play in Japan for the next two years.

Rugby Australia have a fight on their hands to keep Wallabies star Tom Wright. Picture: AFP
“This is exactly the type of situation Australian Rugby can’t afford to be in,” one rugby insider, who asked not to be named, told this masthead.

“Wright is one of the few genuinely world-class players we have, and losing him to Japan would be devastating enough.

“But potentially losing him back to league would be a double blow.”

Wright has history in rugby league. After attending St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill, he kicked off his professional career in the NRL with the Manly in 2016.

He played four first-grade games for the Sea Eagles before making the switch back to rugby union in 2018, joining the Brumbies in Canberra.

Since then, Wright has developed into one of Australian rugby’s most potent attacking weapons, scoring with his first touch in Test footy against New Zealand in 2020 and going on to cement himself as the national team’s first-choice fullback.

Industry insiders believe the NRL approach could be the first salvo in what might is tipped to become a co-ordinated attack on union talent following the ARL Commission’s ambitious expansion plans.

Wright made his NRL debut for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2018. Picture: NRL Imagery
The Commission on Thursday confirmed expansion into Perth, hot on the heels of the move to set up a team in Papua New Guinea team from 2028.

They have already identified union as a means to flesh out the talent pool and Wright would seem an ideal fit given he has history in the code.

Wright played dodged the question when quizzed about a potential NRL return Wright on SEN 1170am on Thursday morning.

“I’m thinking of a way to straight bat this,” he told the Vossy and Brandy breakfast show.

However, rugby league legend Greg Alexander backed calls for clubs to receive a heavy salary cap dispensation if they are to land a rugby player on his breakfast show on SEN 1170.

“I would rubber-stamp (a war chest),” Alexander said on Vossy and Brandy.

“A 50 per cent discount on a Wallaby or any other rugby player. Go for it.”