Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent

[Thatwasnthighref]

I enjoy both codes so my preference is to see both flourish but right now, no one can deny which code is in a healthier state and with a much stronger outlook.

Union’s biggest strength is its global footprint. It means a more diverse range of income sources like NZR’s global sponsorships with Altrad and Ineos, more exposure for players like Ardie Savea signing with Roc Nation, and other more intangible benefits for players like just living and playing in Japan or Europe. When it comes to retention those things all play a part.

But the global footprint is also arguably the code’s biggest weakness because it comes with different agendas from everyone involved. I have no doubt that if NZR and RA wielded the same influence over SR as the NRL does over its own comp, we’d see a far more fan-friendly version of rugby being played in this part of the world.

IMO the single biggest strength for league here is the NRL’s autonomy. The IRL is toothless, leaving the NRL to do whatever is needed to deliver a game its fans, and therefore its commercial partners, are willing to pay for.

 

[Wb1234]

I enjoy both codes so my preference is to see both flourish but right now, no one can deny which code is in a healthier state and with a much stronger outlook.

Union’s biggest strength is its global footprint. It means a more diverse range of income sources like NZR’s global sponsorships with Altrad and Ineos, more exposure for players like Ardie Savea signing with Roc Nation, and other more intangible benefits for players like just living and playing in Japan or Europe. When it comes to retention those things all play a part.

But the global footprint is also arguably the code’s biggest weakness because it comes with different agendas from everyone involved. I have no doubt that if NZR and RA wielded the same influence over SR as the NRL does over its own comp, we’d see a far more fan-friendly version of rugby being played in this part of the world.

IMO the single biggest strength for league here is the NRL’s autonomy. The IRL is toothless, leaving the NRL to do whatever is needed to deliver a game its fans, and therefore its commercial partners, are willing to pay for.

Excellent post

 

[Wb1234]

Former union player

 

[Wb1234]

Kid is talented and not on big money

 

[Delboy]

Former union player

I understand that a number of clubs are able to fulfill NRL obligations without leagues club support. The Parramatta Eels are now able to fund the NRL team independently of the Leagues Club. The funding from the Leagues Club is now mainly directed into the junior league and upgrading facilities inc the construction of the COE which is well underway.

 

[Perth Red]

I understand that a number of clubs are able to fulfill NRL obligations without leagues club support. The Parramatta Eels are now able to fund the NRL team independently of the Leagues Club. The funding from the Leagues Club is now mainly directed into the junior league and upgrading facilities inc the construction of the COE which is well underway.

There's huge variations in FC revenue. Some probably still need some level of LC funding to spend enough to keep up.

 

[Canard]

If it hits 3m then yea, that will certainly be hard to compete with.

Even then, that's only the top 5% of players.

We certainly be able to match top salaries, but still never have the opportunity of all the teams in Europe/NZ/SA/Japan etc provide.

 

[Matua]

Kid is talented and not on big money

He's a better bet than the curly haired Fijian-Oz winger whose name I can't spell. He's class.

 

[Wb1234]

I understand that a number of clubs are able to fulfill NRL obligations without leagues club support. The Parramatta Eels are now able to fund the NRL team independently of the Leagues Club. The funding from the Leagues Club is now mainly directed into the junior league and upgrading facilities inc the construction of the COE which is well underway.

Under gallop the cap was like 5 million and the nrl grant was 3.5 million

that gap of 1.5 million per club was filled by leagues clubs grants by most or for clubs without football revenues

the goal was to get to the grant matching the salary cap

good luck to the clubs but they get 5 million over the cap now

all clubs are now profitable purely from football revenues and the nrl grant

leagues clubs grants are a bonus for extra coaches etc

 

[Wb1234]

There's huge variations in FC revenue. Some probably still need some level of LC funding to spend enough to keep up.

Even sharks made a profit with zero leagues clubs revenue

wait till the redeployment finishes their profits wil skyrocket

 

[nko11]

Under gallop the cap was like 5 million and the nrl grant was 3.5 million

that gap of 1.5 million per club was filled by leagues clubs grants by most or for clubs without football revenues

the goal was to get to the grant matching the salary cap

good luck to the clubs but they get 5 million over the cap now

all clubs are now profitable purely from football revenues and the nrl grant

leagues clubs grants are a bonus for extra coaches etc

Yeah that's right. Clubs spend the revenue becasue they know they have it. Say they banned Poker Machines tomorrow, clubs would just shift around expenses and cut where they need to. Notice how many clubs are now in the financial position to take on Revenue Generating Assets, if they needed to, they could cut these expenses fairly quickly - these investments are also likely to diversify away from gambling revenue. They wouldn't have as much $$ to splurge, but it's definitely not as simple as taking away Gaming revenue and recalculating profit/loss.


Exact same situation for the Panthers Group above. They collected $60 million in gaming revnue last FY, and as a business why wouldn't you while it's still legal. They're using that revenue to diversify away from gaming revenue. As I imagine they realise it's a risky revenue stream to rely on in the medium to longterm. What to look for is Gaming revenue as a percentage of total revenue.

From the data I could be bothered collecting:
2023 - 60.3m/153m = 39.4%
2022 - 65m/152.2m = 42.7%
2016 - 66.8m/130.1m = 51.3%
2015 - 66.5m/127.4m = 52.2%

The lower they keep getting this percentage, the less a ban on poker machines will effect them.

Also businesses only pay income tax on profits. For Panthers Group, it's in their best interests to reinvest revenue and report a lower profit. For the NRL - because they are a not-for-profit organisation, they are exempt from income tax. So this isn't relevant to the profit they announce.

 

[Perth Red]

Even sharks made a profit with zero leagues clubs revenue

wait till the redeployment finishes their profits wil skyrocket

Not strictly true, Sharks got $7mill revenue ($4.7mill from pokies) from their other sports club in 2023

Whats positive to see is that in the clubs who've shared their annual reports so far nearly all of them have seen decent increases in FC revenue areas, some really significant. That shows they are doing well in the 'sports' side of the business which means more fans, more sponsors and corporates etc actively supporting NRL clubs.

 

[Wb1234]

Not strictly true, Sharks got $7mill revenue ($4.7mill from pokies) from their other sports club in 2023

Whats positive to see is that in the clubs who've shared their annual reports so far nearly all of them have seen decent increases in FC revenue areas, some really significant. That shows they are doing well in the 'sports' side of the business which means more fans, more sponsors and corporates etc actively supporting NRL clubs.

Wait till their main one opens
They going to be rich

the renders of it look amazing

 

[Wb1234]

He must be fuming they offered a league player three times what they offer him

 

[Dark Corner]

Under gallop the cap was like 5 million and the nrl grant was 3.5 million

that gap of 1.5 million per club was filled by leagues clubs grants by most or for clubs without football revenues

the goal was to get to the grant matching the salary cap

good luck to the clubs but they get 5 million over the cap now

all clubs are now profitable purely from football revenues and the nrl grant

leagues clubs grants are a bonus for extra coaches etc

Tell that to Ben Darwin.

 

[Wb1234]

Tell that to Ben Darwin.

I tried the dope had his comments switched off

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

He must be fuming they offered a league player three times what they offer him

Joey Manu to Japan instead of France now?

Interesting. Good call if true though. Much better suited for someone converting than the French scene IMO.

 

[Chimp]

Joey Manu to Japan instead of France now?

Interesting. Good call if true though. Much better suited for someone converting than the French scene IMO.

Wasn’t the original story he’d go do 6 months in Japan, then come back to Roosters on a way reduced contract (much lower than what Dragons were offering), and then everyone rightly kicked off saying ‘that’s a clear rort, that can’t happen’, so then the narrative changed to ‘he’s going to France and has always dreamed of being an All Black’ and the noise quietened down.

My bet…. Announces he’s leaving for Japan to realise his rugby union dream (and earning squillions)…. Lots of media releases about how we can’t afford to let such talent leave our game and we should do whatever we can to keep talent like him (media get to rehash all their lazy old articles about war chests and NRL central contracts for marquee players), fans of lesser teams complain and make loads of noise about how unfair that would be…. He leaves for Japan, no NRL central contract, but then after 6 months, wants to come back, misses first 10 rounds of 2025 and back to Roosters on a much reduced deal, way below market value. Media do stories celebrating his return, everyone is happy to get one over on Union, but in reality, the rort was always on.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Wasn’t the original story he’d go do 6 months in Japan, then come back to Roosters on a way reduced contract (much lower than what Dragons were offering), and then everyone rightly kicked off saying ‘that’s a clear rort, that can’t happen’, so then the narrative changed to ‘he’s going to France and has always dreamed of being an All Black’ and the noise quietened down.

My bet…. Announces he’s leaving for Japan to realise his rugby union dream (and earning squillions)…. Lots of media releases about how we can’t afford to let such talent leave our game and we should do whatever we can to keep talent like him (media get to rehash all their lazy old articles about war chests and NRL central contracts for marquee players), fans of lesser teams complain and make loads of noise about how unfair that would be…. He leaves for Japan, no NRL central contract, but then after 6 months, wants to come back, misses first 10 rounds of 2025 and back to Roosters on a much reduced deal, way below market value. Media do stories celebrating his return, everyone is happy to get one over on Union, but in reality, the rort was always on.

Could be. Similar thoughts when Pangai Jr 'retired' and they seem to have been on the money.

And if the report is true, and its only a one year deal at Verblitz, then that too contradicts his earlier statements about how if he switches he's in it for the long haul.

So yea, could well be another con job. I hope not though. He'd look good in all black...

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Wasn’t the original story he’d go do 6 months in Japan, then come back to Roosters on a way reduced contract (much lower than what Dragons were offering), and then everyone rightly kicked off saying ‘that’s a clear rort, that can’t happen’, so then the narrative changed to ‘he’s going to France and has always dreamed of being an All Black’ and the noise quietened down.

My bet…. Announces he’s leaving for Japan to realise his rugby union dream (and earning squillions)…. Lots of media releases about how we can’t afford to let such talent leave our game and we should do whatever we can to keep talent like him (media get to rehash all their lazy old articles about war chests and NRL central contracts for marquee players), fans of lesser teams complain and make loads of noise about how unfair that would be…. He leaves for Japan, no NRL central contract, but then after 6 months, wants to come back, misses first 10 rounds of 2025 and back to Roosters on a much reduced deal, way below market value. Media do stories celebrating his return, everyone is happy to get one over on Union, but in reality, the rort was always on.

Why would that rort depend on Joey going to Japan instead of France? Anyway, the NRL had already stated that such a move wouldn’t be tolerated, didn’t they? As usual, a journo has a brain fart knowing that attaching it to the Roosters will gain traction for his story just like the seventy million off-contract players we’ve supposedly been in discussions with over the years because fans get triggered. Even if that rort was allowed, its available to every club. Has been discussed from time to time on the Roosters forum and general consenus has been that Manu would eventually try his hand at rugby at some point. Genuinely wants to be an AB