Manly chasing Union stars!

[chileman]

League raids cup ranks
By Dean Ritchie
October 17, 2003

WELSH superstar Iestyn Harris is poised to return to rugby league amid increasing talk NRL clubs are ready to pounce on World Cup players.


Iestyn Harris - being offered big money.

Harris, 27, is considering a $500,000-a-season offer from the Bradford Bulls rugby league club.

The Daily Telegraph understands big-spending Leeds are also chasing Harris, the Wales five-eighth who has a year to run on his contract with club side Cardiff Blues.

But it is the Welsh Rugby Union which pays Harris and the governing body is in financial difficulty.

Harris might be cut free by rugby union and return to rugby league - the game where he began his professional career aged 17.

Last week in a pool match against Canada, Harris had a wonderful match in attack, scoring 16 points.

Harris, who shifted to union in 2001 for a then record $3.7million, was unavailable for comment last night.

Wales play Tonga this Sunday at Canberra Stadium with Harris being switched from centre to the bench despite playing a role in three of Wales' tries against Canada.

NRL clubs last night told of their desire to search for a "bargain buy" in the Cup. Parramatta and Manly were two clubs to confirm they were looking at signing rugby union players.

 

[chileman]

Hunt for bargain buys
By Dean Ritchie
October 17, 2003

NRL clubs are preparing to launch audacious raids on the Rugby World Cup, with Parramatta and Manly last night admitting they were hunting union talent.


Fitzgerald - some performances have caught his eye.

Senior club officials admit to searching for a "bargain buy" among the less glamorous nations including Japan, Fiji and Italy.

Some unheralded rugby union players could be lured to rugby league for between $50,000 and $70,000 - a gamble some NRL clubs are prepared to take.

Manly football manager Peter Peters conceded his club was looking at recruiting from the South African team.

Rugby union players are not factored into NRL clubs' $3.25million salary cap - making big name players from the opposite code such as Fijian excitement machine Rupeni Caucaunibuca and England powerhouse Ben Cohen attractive targets.

"We were looking at a couple of players before the tournament," Peters said. "We are more interested now.

"There are a couple of South African players who are very interesting."

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said some World Cup performances had caught the eye.

"We'd be mad not to have a look around given the amount of talent on display," Fitzgerald said yesterday.

"There are a few players we're keeping an eye on."

North Queensland coach Graham Murray said: "We wouldn't outlay huge dollars but we wouldn't rule out having a look at some players.

"I've watched a few games and there are certainly some talented union players I believe would make it in rugby league."

Canberra Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins said his club would monitor the tournament.

"[Former Raiders coach] Don Furner is our spotter and he'll be going to a couple of games," Hawkins said.

"We have four [games] here in Canberra. We aren't on an active campaign to sign players but you never know."

Informed rugby union sources last night said there were a number of players who could make the transition to the 13-man game comfortably.

Italy coach John Kirwan has targeted Australian rugby league players of Italian descent, including Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello, as potential recruits for the Azzurri, Bret Harris reports.

Kirwan, the former New Zealand All Black winger, said there were several Italian Australians playing in the NRL which was a talent pool Italy could not afford to ignore.

 

[Phillips]

i heard it was ben kusto that you's were after :lol:

 

[MR GEORGE]

some of those giant wingers would be good.

 

[The Godfather]

Sign up Wendell and Lote !!!

(Good way to spend half the salary gap on 2 players - put the other 23 on match payments only)

 

[Alan Shore]

Get some Fijians and Japanese. It'd do wonders for the Japan RL team.