Howe & Albert off to U.K

[legend]

It has been revealed that Rodney Howe has signed a four year deal with Leeds and will leave the storm at the end of the year. This will not be announced until next week as Howe has to reach his quota of 16 first grade games for the season.

Darren Albert has also signed a deal with a club from the U.K but has not revealed which one at this stage. I find this one puzzling as Albert is still only young and has chased the almighty dollar and forfeited any chance of rep honours in this country.

On the flipside it has also been revealed that Steve Renouf will be returning to Sydney next year to play a final season in the NRL, possibly with Souths. Souths have also signed two more players from the ESL but are yet to announce the names but rumour has it the players will be Dennis Moran from London and possibly Jim Dymock from London.

I thought the ESL was dropping it's import quota from five to three?

 

[CanadianSteve]

Why does Albert have to forfeit his chance of playing rep? Other countries don't do that do they? Is it done to discourage players from leaving the NRL? Is it because the Kangaroos are so strong they don't need any players who go to ESL, whereas NZ, say, brings back players like the Paul brothers for tests because they need them more? If NZ or England ever started to play evenly with Aus would the Kangaroos change this policy?
Do the Wallabies have any players who play club in England? The Socceroos do, don't they

 

[Willow]

Thats a very good point Steve.
The fact is that there has been a (general) policy that Australian selectors will only select players who will be 'ongoing' in the domestic competition.
It's because of the talent available.
The policyhas nothing to do with trying to discourage players from leaving Australia.

Darren Albert.. an each way bet at best...If he has been offered good money to play abroad, who can deny him that opportunity?

Sure the Socceroos have players in England but it's always been a logistical nightmare to get these players back to play for Australia.
Australian Rugby League has no such hassle and can simply choose to go with local and new 'up & comers'

Legend... isn't Renouf playing out one more season with the Broncos in 2002?
Thats the mail....?

 

[legend]

I heard he was coming to Sydney. That news came from 2gb. I don't know how reliable that info is though.