Greg Inglis

[Dave PSI]

Looks like some french rugby union club is chasing him hard.. and it seems one J Thurston (although under the radar) is being chased hard too!

 

[bartman]

Source?

And it may not be a popular view, but I still reckon if players want to head elsewhere at the end of their contracts, the game shouldn't be held to ransom or change it's salary cap levels just to keep greed in the game.

The money these guys can earn in league is more than enough for opulent lifestyles and to set families up etc - that's if playing the sport they grew up in and that made them stars with a market value means anything to them in teh slightest.

 

[Brutus]

These union coaches from Aus and NZ who get gigs overeas know where the best talent is. As soon as I heard fat guts Ewen McKenzie was going over there, I knew he'd be onto NRL players straight away.

People may think that SBW, Gasnier, possibly Inglis ect playing RU tucked away in France will not hurt our game. But when they decide to move back to Australia/NZ and play Super 14 and Tests, then it will hit us hard.

A Wallaby backline consisting of Gasnier, Tahu, Inglis, Lote ect... can only be a plus for RU in the popularity stakes and a minus for RL out here. SBW playing for the All Blacks and not in RL will only boost the rival code in both Aus and NZ.

I wouldn't mind so much if they were going to England to play RL, but these guys are playing for the enemy...our major competitors.

Not good.

 

[_Johnsy]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24221923-23214,00.html

Storm's SOS on Inglis

By Josh Massoud
August 22, 2008 PREMIERSHIP hotshots Melbourne have sent a distress signal to NRL headquarters for help to keep Greg Inglis in rugby league.
Amid rising concerns Inglis is destined to join Sonny Bill Williams in French rugby, Storm CEO Brian Waldron has phoned NRL boss David Gallop several times to discuss "measures" to prevent the game's best player from leaving.

The Daily Telegraph understands Inglis has already spoken to his parents about a future move overseas. Sources close to the family on the NSW mid-north coast said Inglis's parents gave him their blessing.

Fears the Australia star could jump ship have intensified for a week since he publicly talked about transferring his affairs to Anthony Mundine and Khoder Nasser - the management duo who masterminded Williams' defection.

The pair are confident of snaring Inglis from current agent Allan Gainey, given the Aboriginal footballer's deep respect for league star-turned-boxer Mundine.

There has been speculation this week that Inglis is entertaining a switch to France after the grand final, but Waldron insisted the 21-year-old had vowed to fulfil his contract in Melbourne.

Inglis still has more than two years remaining on his current deal - but the Storm supremo has wasted no time devising a strategy to enable his club to compete with big-spending European Union outfits.

Considering their superstar roster, the premiers will struggle to offer Inglis $500,000-a-season - a third of the salary Williams is now earning.

"It's true that we need to work with the game, its owners and key commercial partners to ensure players like Greg Inglis stay in rugby league," Waldron said.

"Like everyone, Greg will look at his options after this contract.

"We are hopeful people associated with rugby league can put together a package for Greg to be suitably remunerated in the game."

Waldron said he had spoken with Gallop "regularly".

With the exception of Andrew Johns and Mark Gasnier, the NRL has previously been reluctant to provide individual clubs with financial assistance to keep their superstars from the clutches of rugby union.

Waldron responded angrily to claims Inglis could leave early.

But he did reveal initial negotiations to extend Inglis's deal had been suspended.

"Very simply, Greg Inglis has stipulated that he does not break contracts - whether they are with his club or his manager," Waldron said. "Greg has enormous character and integrity."

I really feel sorry for Peggy, no mention of keeping stars in the game while Gaz and SBW were going to defect, now it hits his backyard it is an issue.

Here you go Peggy

 

[Brutus]

Bring in a marquee player system NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stillman]

Get back to Mcore dave

 

[Bulldog Force]

Johnsy makes a valid point.

 

[Godz Illa]

bartman... your stance, once laughable, is now kinda sad. "Everything will be ok" is not gonna work. The tacit, head-in-the-sand approach needs to change and fast.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Whichever way you look at it and no matter how many different systems you come up with, their just isn't enough money in our game and we will not be able to compete. If you bring in a marquee system, that will protect some players but you can never stop them all from going. As much as I hate to say it, this sort of stuff is now a fact of life in the NRL and we will just have to get used to it. Within ten years, this competition will be a feeder to European League and Union and there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it.

 

[Loudstrat]

Yes, something needs to be done to keep the elite players in the game. Trouble is...

• Why should any increase in available earnings in the code go to the 1% of elite players, and the 99% of other hard workers don't share in the spoils (thinking of Melboring players aka Cronk, Johnston, Slater etc - the real workers for that side)
• Sailor, Rogers and Blacklock came back. Tequiri may too. SBW aside - all the others will retire at the end of their current contract
• How many will realise that French Yawnion is sh*t, and living in France is also sh*t compared to Aussie? How many ESL expats wander back - like Matt King, Jason Smith, Trent Barrett, Matt Head
• While Inglis and SBW sail close, none of them are cornerstones of League in Australia. Inglis has been elite for only 2 years or so. SBW has played less games than Paul Cariage. When the likes of Lockyer, Mason, Smith, Stewart, Marshall go, then panic.
• If INglis DOES leave the NRL, it won't impact my club, or Manly, Easts, Brisbane, KNights, Warriors, Raiders, or the quality of their product. These are the things that rag people through trunstiles. Example - Manly v Parra blockbuster doesn't get more crowds because Inglis is playing for Melbourne.

Either way, the NRL have to increase the salary stream to players. They are experiencing a diminishing asset because of their stupid TV rights deal.

 

[Loudstrat]

Whichever way you look at it and no matter how many different systems you come up with, their just isn't enough money in our game and we will not be able to compete. If you bring in a marquee system, that will protect some players but you can never stop them all from going. As much as I hate to say it, this sort of stuff is now a fact of life in the NRL and we will just have to get used to it. Within ten years, this competition will be a feeder to European League and Union and there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it.

Rubbish. New TV rights deal. Better product.

 

[Brutus]

Whichever way you look at it and no matter how many different systems you come up with, their just isn't enough money in our game and we will not be able to compete. If you bring in a marquee system, that will protect some players but you can never stop them all from going. As much as I hate to say it, this sort of stuff is now a fact of life in the NRL and we will just have to get used to it. Within ten years, this competition will be a feeder to European League and Union and there isn't a hell of a lot we can do about it.

With thinking like that - no wonder our game is stuffed.

Unfortunately Gallop and the NRL are of the same view. What a great leader we have.

 

[ozenzud]

I was absolutely outraged at Money Bill. I was ravid at Gasnier. But I seriously now at the point where I don't care about them and if they go to rugby. They can chase money and see if that brings them happiness. Get rid of the crap.

League was never better than when it was a semi professional game. I can't stand these prancing pony dicks that run around in our game now. I find them offensive in the same way that I find european Soccer players offensive. It is not jealousy. I don't want their lifestyle. I have a good job and will probably make more money in my professional career than 95% of professional league and union players. I work hard but at the same time, would rather get more time off now than money these days.

What I loved about league growing up was the game yes, the team and local culture, the local club, the people in the game. What has the NRL now, with these idiots, got to do with those things? Less and less and less the more money it makes. The players now are an afront to the fans of the game and the people that grew up, played the game for nothing, from 5 to 35 and who now pay money to watch the game.

So what if AFL gets heaps more money, so what if union sells its soul to buy all the leaguies it can afford. As long as there are thousands (maybe less than now granted) out there who play and watch cause they love it, well then that is better than these dicks. I'm well past the age where I have hero worship, but I do want to respect the players I'm watching and want to know they love the game like I do and arn't there just for the money.

Listen to Rueben Wiki talk about the game. Thats a guy I respect. He loves it. Lockyer, listen to him too. Those are blokes we can all respect. Too many of these NRL blokes are clowns, selfish clowns. Let them go. Let some bloke, struggling with a part time brickies labourer job come up and have a chance to play the game he loves and let the pricks that are there for money go. Go and good ridance!

 

[El Diablo]

who knows what things will be like in 2 years when he's off contract

it seems Wally Waldron wants the NRL to get him more money now so he doesn't do a SBW

i can't even imagine how 9 would want to help out as they did with Johns. Inglis is a terrible speaker and would be of no use to them

worry about it in 2 years, Wally

nd no bloody exemptions for Melboure as they're already the top team in the comp

 

[Loudstrat]

I was absolutely outraged at Money Bill. I was ravid at Gasnier. But I seriously now at the point where I don't care about them and if they go to rugby. They can chase money and see if that brings them happiness. Get rid of the crap.

League was never better than when it was a semi professional game. I can't stand these prancing pony dicks that run around in our game now. I find them offensive in the same way that I find european Soccer players offensive. It is not jealousy. I don't want their lifestyle. I have a good job and will probably make more money in my professional career than 95% of professional league and union players. I work hard but at the same time, would rather get more time off now than money these days.

What I loved about league growing up was the game yes, the team and local culture, the local club, the people in the game. What has the NRL now, with these idiots, got to do with those things? Less and less and less the more money it makes. The players now are an afront to the fans of the game and the people that grew up, played the game for nothing, from 5 to 35 and who now pay money to watch the game.

So what if AFL gets heaps more money, so what if union sells its soul to buy all the leaguies it can afford. As long as there are thousands (maybe less than now granted) out there who play and watch cause they love it, well then that is better than these dicks. I'm well past the age where I have hero worship, but I do want to respect the players I'm watching and want to know they love the game like I do and arn't there just for the money.

Listen to Rueben Wiki talk about the game. Thats a guy I respect. He loves it. Lockyer, listen to him too. Those are blokes we can all respect. Too many of these NRL blokes are clowns, selfish clowns. Let them go. Let some bloke, struggling with a part time brickies labourer job come up and have a chance to play the game he loves and let the pricks that are there for money go. Go and good ridance!

Loved when Waldron cited Inglis' integrity. Like during Origin time.

Greg Inglis is Larry Corowa with a publicity machine. Would prefer to watch old tapes of Corowa over Inglis any day.

 

[Bigfella]

Storm CEO Brian Waldron has phoned NRL boss David Gallop several times to discuss "measures" to prevent the game's best player from leaving

Standard grapple with a chicken wing?

 

[El Diablo]

so what was this tripe from not long ago?

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/spo...-14823,00.html

Inglis knocked back rugby bid

By James Hooper | July 20, 2008 12:00am

GREG Inglis, the man who carved up Mark Gasnier in State of Origin II this year, rejected an offer to play rugby union with Western Force because he feared he would become "bored" in the 15-man code.

"There's something about rugby union I just don't like. I don't know if it's because I get bored or you can't show your skill or what,'' Inglis said.

"No disrespect to them at the elite level. I'm sure it's a very tough game, but some people get bored from it.

"I understand some guys go because of the money.

"When the Western Force approached me, I just told them 'thanks but no thanks'. I didn't want to even consider it.

"I'm a league boy through and through. I grew up around league. My old man was league, my grandfather, my brothers, even my sister. It was just always about the game.

"So it runs in the family, it's part of my background and that's all I've ever wanted to play.''

Inglis and Gasnier duelled in an exhilarating match-up in this year's Origin series.

In the series opener, Gasnier collected the honours by setting up two tries down the Blues' right edge.

But in Origin II, Inglis returned serve, swatting away his Kangaroos Test team-mate with ease in a landslide Maroons victory.

Fans were robbed of a deciding duel when Gasnier was forced out of Origin III with a torn hamstring.

Even though Inglis has been named at five-eighth, the prospect of him crossing swords with Gasnier tomorrow night when Melbourne meet St George Illawarra at Olympic Park is as enticing as ever.

Inglis has seen all the hype about Gasnier's $1million-a-season switch to French rugby union over the past week but doesn't believe the NRL should make an exception to keep the Dragons captain.

"I can see where Gaz is coming from but I don't think you should change the rules for special players,'' Inglis said.

"Good luck to Gaz, I'll see him this weekend.

"In high school, I had to play a couple of years of union because that was the only thing going around, so I just jumped in there.

"But on the weekends for me it was always all league.

"I always go into everything open-minded, but I'm pretty strong about my league. At this point in time, I love Australia so I'll give it a definite miss.''

Leading player agent Allan Gainey, who has looked after Inglis from the time he was a teenager, fielded the approach from the Western Force.

"Because Greg had played a bit of rugby as a kid the Force were understandably keen but, to be honest, as soon as I raised it with him he just came back with a flat 'no','' Gainey said.

"Greg's one of those blokes who just loves his league, so it was never really an option.''

 

[Bulldog Force]

Money hungry.

 

[Thomas]

He wasn't doing a Tahu was he?

Talking down union but looking at deals behind closed doors?

 

[El Diablo]

i don't think he's that smart

sounds like Nasser and Mundine have got into his ear if he's changed tune