CANBERRA legend Mal Meninga has implored the Raiders to launch a brazen bid for Australia rugby union sensation Matt Giteau as the club hatches plans for a major recruitment drive.
Meninga's comments came as it was found that the NRL's elite have snubbed the Raiders, with the club failing to sign a State of Origin or Australia representativeplayer for 14 years.
Mindful of the need to attract star power, the Raiders made informal inquiries about Giteau's status via father Ron, a former Canberra captain, at the club's season launch last week.
"You guys can't afford him," Ron Giteau joked.
Meninga says the Raiders should have a big-money crack at Giteau regardless.
Giteau, who is an attacking dynamo, is unsigned for 2007 and mulling over offers from Australian rugby's four provinces.
"Canberra need to chase quality players from either league or union," Meninga, who played 166 first grade games for the Raiders, said.
"It would be a smart move to go after Matt Giteau.
"He'd be a big success in league. He played his junior football at Canberra, so the transition would be easy.
"I'd be curious to see how he'd handle it week to week, but I have no doubts he has the talent to make it in the NRL."
Whether Giteau, 23, is prepared to make the switch is another matter.
He would have to consider a pay cut of around $200,000 a season to return to the Raiders, with whom he played junior representative league.
Throw in the rugby World Cup next year and the chances of him defecting are close to minimal.
"We'd love to have Matt Giteau," Canberra chairman John McIntyre said.
"He's a Canberra boy and exactly the type of big-name player we are keen to sign.
"I had a yarn to Matt's dad at the Raiders launch. It was just informal stuff, but Ron said, 'you simply couldn't afford him'.
"I'm a realist. I know what these rugby blokes stand to earn.
"But we are very comfortable under the salary cap this year and we'll be out there aiming for the high-profile blokes."
Despite boasting one of the great club sides in the 1980s and '90s, the Raiders have struggled to attract top-level talent in recent times. Their last significant big-name purchase was former Manly maestro Phil Blake in 1992.
Raiders general manager Don Furner said the club is ready to wield the chequebook, starting with former Test centre Jamie Lyon, who will return to Australia next year after a successful stint with St Helens.
"We are conscious of getting a big name and we have a list of targets," Furner said.
"Traditionally, it's difficult to attract players.
"We are in a competitive market and Sydney clubs tend to have an advantage, which means we have to offer more.
"Jamie is one guy we are interested in. We're after a quality centre and we'll have the money to get one."
Meninga said the club's recruitment drive would be bolstered by the signing of a high-profile coach to replace Matt Elliott.
"The coach is an important issue for the Raiders," he said.
The Sunday Telegraph
