NZRU - League Poaching War

[Bombay Devils RLFC]

Saw this article this morning.

Seems the NZRU is burying its head when it comes to losing it best young talent to NRL clubs. They would rather they leave than try to offer some form of contracts. They are relying on the old Union tag of play rugby and travel the world BS that they love to roll out.

A couple of interesting points is that Auckland will have 90% of the population growth in the next 15 years and that the Warriors seem a real threat for the hearts and minds of the Auckland sporting public.

I travel to NZ about 4-5 a year for business and I can tell you the people I meet are really enthusiast about RL even those who have followed RU all their lives.

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/nzru-rules-poaching-war-league-4945573

 

[docbrown]

I have no sympathy for them after reading that article.

with predatory rugby league scouts

would not stoop to the NRL's level

''Our competitive advantage is if you play our game you have the opportunity to travel the world, and play a game that will lead you to an All Black jersey. But if you go play rugby league in Australia that's what you are going to do.''

Same old same old...

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/nzru-rules-poaching-war-league-4945573

 

[Karl]

Tew never said anything about stooping to the NRL's level or predatory rugby league scouts - thats the journalist looking to provoke people. What he actually said was:

"The recruitment of young rugby players to league is quite a challenging issue for us. But we will not embark on the practice of enticing parents to sign kids at an early age for a paltry amount of money or, even worse, things in kind."

So he was referring to a very particular type of practise that he doesn't agree with - and probably on good grounds.

He went on to say (I mean actually say, as opposed to what the journo said):

''We have a greater commitment to providing an environment where kids have a long-term future in our game. That will mean we will lose some kids because the nature of the social, economic and demographic background is they are likely to take the small return more quickly.''

Thats probably fair comment. I don't know if a good decision or not, but it seems to be a sentiment that has the best interests of these kids at heart. What's the problem there?

Tew seems to also have talked about how the Auckland region had some of the best schools rugby sides in the world and it was vital players be kept in the sport. Ok, seems reasonable. ''But we can't and won't enter into a contracting war with young kids who are still at school." Good. Seems like a tough decision being made for the right reasons to me.

He did say, it seems ''Our competitive advantage is if you play our game you have the opportunity to travel the world, and play a game that will lead you to an All Black jersey. But if you go play rugby league in Australia that's what you are going to do.'' But really, he's right. Whether these kids and their parents care about that is another thing. Probably a lot of them won't. Do they need more than that? Probably, but it doesn't make their stance wrong, or this statement incorrect.

I actually thought Tew came across quite well in the interview, very reasonable, despite the journo's obviously digging and trying to make something of anything.

 

[docbrown]

Tew never said anything about stooping to the NRL's level or predatory rugby league scouts - thats the journalist looking to provoke people.

True but no one said that he did. You're starting an argument with yourself again... :roll:

But it's nice to see you admit that the article is clearly written from an anti-league perspective given your mungo rants of late.

Thats probably fair comment. I don't know if a good decision or not, but it seems to be a sentiment that has the best interests of these kids at heart. What's the problem there?

No problem except for the fact that's it just management fluff.

He did say, it seems ''Our competitive advantage is if you play our game you have the opportunity to travel the world, and play a game that will lead you to an All Black jersey. But if you go play rugby league in Australia that's what you are going to do.'' But really, he's right.

Well, no surprise there...

 

[Sam_the_man]

Union has been raping league in the high school for years. What goes around comes around.

 

[Sam_the_man]

Christ i hate those arogant union merkins. merkins thats all they are.

 

[Bombay Devils RLFC]

It is all fine and good that he wants to have kids grow up to aspire to be an All Black - but not all can or will.

The fact is that with players like Conrad Hurrell coming over from Union to a sport that he did not even know about a few years ago is something they need to be careful of.

It is great having a high morale ground but it can not come to the detriment of your own sport.

I like it how he is having a dig at the NRL. I watched the Wallabies v Wales game on Saturday and feel to sleep during the telecast. A couple of scrums took over 2 minutes to set and at the end a penalty was awarded. You then watch Manly v Roosters on Sunday and although the scoreline was a blow out the passing, running and tackling was brilliant.

As I said to a mate of mine - Union must be a good sport to play because as a spectacle I can not watch it

 

[Bronco Rob]

It is all fine and good that he wants to have kids grow up to aspire to be an All Black - but not all can or will.

The fact is that with players like Conrad Hurrell coming over from Union to a sport that he did not even know about a few years ago is something they need to be careful of.

It is great having a high morale ground but it can not come to the detriment of your own sport.

I like it how he is having a dig at the NRL. I watched the Wallabies v Wales game on Saturday and feel to sleep during the telecast. A couple of scrums took over 2 minutes to set and at the end a penalty was awarded. You then watch Manly v Roosters on Sunday and although the scoreline was a blow out the passing, running and tackling was brilliant.

As I said to a mate of mine - Union must be a good sport to play because as a spectacle I can not watch it

Maybe that is why the wheel is turning gradually.

There was an article the other day about how there has been a massive jump in the participation of schoos in Auckland with school Rugby League. Sure he can say how NRL scouts are parasitic but if schools as a whole are converting then that says it all right there!

This is also occurring in Southern England, the game is starting to see generational change with more and more schools and clubs taking up Rugby League, the class war is starting to wane slowly!

 

[geordiesaint]

This is also occurring in Southern England, the game is starting to see generational change with more and more schools and clubs taking up Rugby League, the class war is starting to wane slowly!

To a certain extent in South Wales too...

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Maybe that is why the wheel is turning gradually.

There was an article the other day about how there has been a massive jump in the participation of schoos in Auckland with school Rugby League. Sure he can say how NRL scouts are parasitic but if schools as a whole are converting then that says it all right there!

This is also occurring in Southern England, the game is starting to see generational change with more and more schools and clubs taking up Rugby League, the class war is starting to wane slowly!

I was a kid in the 90's, a lot of schools didn't have league as an option, and some were vigilant about keeping it out as well. Kids who showed some skills on the field during lunch would get the drilled with questions if they weren't signed up to play union for the school. I'm sure half the teachers considered themselves talent scouts.

If it's come full circle then about f**king time.

 

[docbrown]

I was a kid in the 90's, a lot of schools didn't have league as an option, and some were vigilant about keeping it out as well. Kids who showed some skills on the field during lunch would get the drilled with questions if they weren't signed up to play union for the school. I'm sure half the teachers considered themselves talent scouts.

If it's come full circle then about f**king time.

Exactly.

 

[jamaman]

NZRL are paying the price for being too slow and dumb!

 

[Bombay Devils RLFC]

NZRL are paying the price for being too slow and dumb!

So what is your actually suggestion?

From what I hear the NZRL has had some issues over the years and is now starting to get its act together a bit more.

A second side in the NRL is probably too early at this stage and realistically I can not see how any other city outside of Auckland could support a side. A second side would however create more opportunities for local NZ kids and build an even stronger NZ test team.

In the meantime lets hope the Warriors can have a few good seasons to build on this momentum.

 

[Wilson1]

It is all fine and good that he wants to have kids grow up to aspire to be an All Black - but not all can or will.

The fact is that with players like Conrad Hurrell coming over from Union to a sport that he did not even know about a few years ago is something they need to be careful of.

It is great having a high morale ground but it can not come to the detriment of your own sport.

I like it how he is having a dig at the NRL. I watched the Wallabies v Wales game on Saturday and feel to sleep during the telecast. A couple of scrums took over 2 minutes to set and at the end a penalty was awarded. You then watch Manly v Roosters on Sunday and although the scoreline was a blow out the passing, running and tackling was brilliant.

As I said to a mate of mine - Union must be a good sport to play because as a spectacle I can not watch it

He isn't having a dig at the NRL though. All of the digs against league come from the writer of the article. None of the quote material contains a direct dig at league. I suggest you read the article again.

Basically, in New Zealand, the NZRU does not care about league. And they don't need to care. They have plenty of talent coming through their ranks. The All Blacks are still the number one team. I don't think there is any bad blood from the NZRU to the NZRL.

 

[shiznit]

i dont get the criticism of Steve Tew here??

he hasn't said anything bad about RL at all.... if this were John O'Neil, David Gallop or Andrew Demetriou being pressed by a journo with an obvious agenda i can tell you they would be saying a lot worse.

i really dont think there's an issue here... there will always be kids who will jump between the junior code... hell i did.

but if you've been earmarked for big things in RU... its very tough to turn down the dream of an All Black jersey....

but i dont know if anyone from RU or RL begrudges any talented kids getting something special out of there talents...

 

[Usain Bolt]

Most college kids want to play Union at school to be in the 1st XV but once schools over there are far more opportunities to play in the NYC and be on TV etc etc. Can't blame them for switching over, it's not like the All Blacks are gonna suffer, there will always be talent to fill the ranks

 

[playdaball]

Most college kids want to play Union at school to be in the 1st XV but once schools over there are far more opportunities to play in the NYC and be on TV etc etc. Can't blame them for switching over, it's not like the All Blacks are gonna suffer, there will always be talent to fill the ranks

True comment about kids wanting to play 1st XV (some not all). In many cases players going from 1st XV to RL are returning to the gmae they've played for the majority of their lives. Some return and others don't i.e. Lomu, Kaino, Howlett etc.

 

[Sam_the_man]

Anyone remember seeing that list of recent all blacks that were league juniors until they got to high school?

 

[playdaball]

Anyone remember seeing that list of recent all blacks that were league juniors until they got to high school?

I'll kick it off for you NU with 3 names in each category.

Recent AB's that were RL juniors - Kaino, Howlett, Bates,

Many also played both games - Spencer, Roger Randall, Ralph.

There must also be a list of Kiwis who played RU up until High School too (Mannering, Ridge, Botica, Hill etc)