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Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
31,540
Afl is already in those schools getting the tall bean stalks

in terms of getting more players I doubt it would most of the good ones would already also play league

the significance is unions last bastion is giving up

More league fans in private schools is good long term for business connections
 

Vlad59

Bench
Messages
3,958
Afl is already in those schools getting the tall bean stalks

in terms of getting more players I doubt it would most of the good ones would already also play league

the significance is unions last bastion is giving up

More league fans in private schools is good long term for business connections
Just having the game played in those schools will hurt union a lot. And it will diminish fumble presence. Win win
 

titoelcolombiano

First Grade
Messages
6,385
The NRL is set to deliver a hammer blow to the Wallabies’ rugby union talent factory by muscling in on the city’s prestigious GPS private school sporting competition, with rugby league boss Andrew Abdo saying “the door is more open now than it’s ever been.”
It can be revealed senior bosses at the National Rugby League have already held meetings with some of Sydney’s most elite private boys schools in an official push to introduce rugby league as a GPS sport, for the first time in over 100 years. It is a move which would shatter Wallabies fans’ hearts in the historic rugby union heartland.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has told The Daily Telegraph the ARL “Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.”

Put Vlandy's in the hall of fame now... No wait, first administrator to be inducted as an immortal.
This is as much about stopping fumbleball from muscling on this as well, I believe that many private schools run fumbleball programmes as well now, they know this is where a lot of people who go into the corporate world are educated.
Hopefully we`ll start to see something similar done with the universities, another place where f-ball posts have sprung up everywhere and for the same reasons.
More room taken up by League, less room for the other crowd.
It`s a virtuous circle in so many ways.
This is a good point. People say that AFL has stolen a chunk of Brisbane and Sydney from RL during the SL war which is true to an extent but their major incursion from the 2000s to now has decimated Union much more than it has RL. Good to see we are joining in now
 

King hit

Coach
Messages
14,030
Just caught a glimpse of the Wallabies. f**k they can’t do the most basic things right, conceded 8 penalties in 40 minutes. Down 21-0 at halftime at Suncorp the venue they are at their best at.
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,250
Just caught a glimpse of the Wallabies. f**k they can’t do the most basic things right, conceded 8 penalties in 40 minutes. Down 21-0 at halftime at Suncorp the venue they are at their best at.
I watched the game, I'm stating the obvious here ...but F me it's a bludger of a sport. The ball is rarely in play for longer than 30 seconds before a knock on or penalty.

No wonder soccer is the world's biggest sport, if I only had the choice of those sports I'm picking soccer everyday of the week. Rugby is waaay down the pecking order in every country that plays it. Union = the worlds biggest niche sport
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
31,540
The NRL is set to deliver a hammer blow to the Wallabies’ rugby union talent factory by muscling in on the city’s prestigious GPS private school sporting competition, with rugby league boss Andrew Abdo saying “the door is more open now than it’s ever been.”
It can be revealed senior bosses at the National Rugby League have already held meetings with some of Sydney’s most elite private boys schools in an official push to introduce rugby league as a GPS sport, for the first time in over 100 years. It is a move which would shatter Wallabies fans’ hearts in the historic rugby union heartland.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has told The Daily Telegraph the ARL “Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.”

The NRL is in talks with private school powerbrokers to bring rugby league to the sporting fields of elite NSW and Queensland private schools which have been exclusive to rugby union.

The NRL is set to deliver a hammer blow to the Wallabies’ rugby union talent factory by muscling in on the city’s prestigious GPS private school sporting competition, with rugby league boss Andrew Abdo saying “the door is more open now than it’s ever been.” It can be revealed senior bosses at the National Rugby League have already held meetings with some of Sydney’s most elite private boys schools in an official push to introduce rugby league as a GPS sport, for the first time in over 100 years. It is a move which would shatter Wallabies fans’ hearts in the historic rugby union heartland.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has told The Daily Telegraph the ARL “Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.”

The Daily Telegraph has obtained the numbers which have opened the door for the NRL to install rugby league programs into GPS schools, and other elite independent schools, for the first time in over a century.

There are almost 330 students enrolled at GPS schools that are also registered to play rugby league from junior club level through to representative pathways at NRL clubs.

Almost another 80 students who attend elite independent schools in the CAS association, like Barker College and Knox College, are also participating in rugby league.

“The door is more open now than it’s ever been,” Abdo said.

The Australian Rugby League Commission and NRL have now made it a priority to end the ostracisation of the sport in elite private schools.

Abdo said the governing body has engaged in positive talks with GPS powerbrokers and stakeholders over the introduction of rugby league programs.

“We’re having really promising conversations with schools that are historically very much a rugby union schools,” Abdo said.

“The Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.

“Build relationships with the Department of Education, with the school principals and with the relevant school associations.”

There has been a seismic shift in attitudes at GPS schools that have had a history of discouraging its students from playing rugby league, or being contracted to NRL clubs.

Now, the injection of rugby league talent at the rugby schoolboy level is seen as beneficial to the school’s pursuit of a First XV premiership.

The timing of the GPS rugby tournament no longer clashes with the Harold Matthews (under 17’s) competition, which has eased tensions towards rugby league at elite schools.

The NRL is taking a strategic approach and has raised the possibility of running league programs outside of the winter months to ensure students won’t have to choose between the rival codes.

“We’re thinking innovatively about the product offering and having the right product for the right school.

“For example, touch football versus league, tag versus tackle.

“We’re also thinking about competitions that might not run in the traditional sense of the winter season, so that kids don’t have to choose, but rather happen perhaps a shorter period at the end of the traditional winter period where there could be an inter school competition

“The bottom line, we are focused on this and are confident we can make it happen.”

While the 15-man game is struggling at the senior level, competition at the schools level is flourishing, with the help of league talent.

The introduction of league programs into prestigious private schools would be another blow to the player development prospects of Rugby Australia.

Already, the NRL’s elite junior development pathways are a huge draw for aspiring footballers across the country once their schooling days are over.

Those pathways will only increase when the NRL eventually expands to a 20-team competition.

NRL clubs are currently able to offer six development contracts worth $80,0000 with the potential to be upgraded into the top 30 rosters, where the minimum salary is $130,000.

But Abdo believes the NRL offers more than just financial incentives over its rival code.

“It’s about opening up talent pathways,” Abdo said.

“Aspiring elite athletes want great facilities like centres of excellence, which we are helping our clubs invest in.

“They want great coaching and great mentors, and they want an opportunity to showcase their skills in an elite professional environment, week in, week out. Rugby league and the NRL can provide all those things.”

Some of the NRL’s next-generation stars like Brisbane’s Cameron Bukowski (Villanova College) and Israel Leota (Ipswich Grammar), Melbourne’s Stanley Huen (Ipswich Grammar), Penrith’s Jesse and Casey McLean (Newington College) and Rooster Blake Steep (Scots College) are products of the GPS system in Sydney and Brisbane.

At the senior level, this year’s State of Origin series featured:

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (The King’s School ), Angus Crichton (Scots), Cameron Murray (Newington) and Connor Watson (Knox Grammar) for NSW, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Brisbane Grammar), Jaydn Su’A (Anglican Church Grammar), Pat Carrigan (Gregory Terrace) and Lindsay Collins (Padua) for Queensland.

South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray told this masthead he would not be surprised to see even more GPS students choose an NRL pathways given the quality of development available to young talent coming through the ranks.

“The public schools rugby league system is extraordinary and the resources rugby league kids have access to at private league schools and in the NRL junior reps is really unmatched,” Murray said.

“We might see more and more kids come through GPS schools into NRL but I still think the development you get at NRL is still the top tier in junior development.

NRL clubs and GPS schools have developed a symbiotic relationship at the junior representative level.

Clubs receive the benefit of a player in their system who had access to a quality education and richly resourced athletic programs.

While the schools have the advantage of a player that is also receiving elite skills coaching and physical conditioning at NRL club land.

“I always thought schoolboy rugby was the genuine pathway to playing union professionally, the GPS rugby programs are the highest quality. But obviously now more are also playing league.

“They are both pretty good ways or pathways to work on your craft.”
 

Dark Corner

Juniors
Messages
1,543
Just caught a glimpse of the Wallabies. f**k they can’t do the most basic things right, conceded 8 penalties in 40 minutes. Down 21-0 at halftime at Suncorp the venue they are at their best at.
How did it sell out as the All Black game couldn't sell out.
Wouldn't mind some of the fast lads in the Boks playing Rugby League.
 

Jetka100

Juniors
Messages
114
How did it sell out as the All Black game couldn't sell out.
Wouldn't mind some of the fast lads in the Boks playing Rugby League.
A lot of Bok supporters in Australia these days. The match in Perth will almost be a home game for them. I can’t imagine the tv ratings being that great. Unless you were a Stan Sports subscriber, you couldn’t even watch it in HD.
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,250
The NRL is in talks with private school powerbrokers to bring rugby league to the sporting fields of elite NSW and Queensland private schools which have been exclusive to rugby union.

The NRL is set to deliver a hammer blow to the Wallabies’ rugby union talent factory by muscling in on the city’s prestigious GPS private school sporting competition, with rugby league boss Andrew Abdo saying “the door is more open now than it’s ever been.” It can be revealed senior bosses at the National Rugby League have already held meetings with some of Sydney’s most elite private boys schools in an official push to introduce rugby league as a GPS sport, for the first time in over 100 years. It is a move which would shatter Wallabies fans’ hearts in the historic rugby union heartland.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has told The Daily Telegraph the ARL “Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.”

The Daily Telegraph has obtained the numbers which have opened the door for the NRL to install rugby league programs into GPS schools, and other elite independent schools, for the first time in over a century.

There are almost 330 students enrolled at GPS schools that are also registered to play rugby league from junior club level through to representative pathways at NRL clubs.

Almost another 80 students who attend elite independent schools in the CAS association, like Barker College and Knox College, are also participating in rugby league.

“The door is more open now than it’s ever been,” Abdo said.

The Australian Rugby League Commission and NRL have now made it a priority to end the ostracisation of the sport in elite private schools.

Abdo said the governing body has engaged in positive talks with GPS powerbrokers and stakeholders over the introduction of rugby league programs.

“We’re having really promising conversations with schools that are historically very much a rugby union schools,” Abdo said.

“The Commission is very focused on this, and they’ve given us the task of developing a strategy to do just that, and that is, build a relationship.

“Build relationships with the Department of Education, with the school principals and with the relevant school associations.”

There has been a seismic shift in attitudes at GPS schools that have had a history of discouraging its students from playing rugby league, or being contracted to NRL clubs.

Now, the injection of rugby league talent at the rugby schoolboy level is seen as beneficial to the school’s pursuit of a First XV premiership.

The timing of the GPS rugby tournament no longer clashes with the Harold Matthews (under 17’s) competition, which has eased tensions towards rugby league at elite schools.

The NRL is taking a strategic approach and has raised the possibility of running league programs outside of the winter months to ensure students won’t have to choose between the rival codes.

“We’re thinking innovatively about the product offering and having the right product for the right school.

“For example, touch football versus league, tag versus tackle.

“We’re also thinking about competitions that might not run in the traditional sense of the winter season, so that kids don’t have to choose, but rather happen perhaps a shorter period at the end of the traditional winter period where there could be an inter school competition

“The bottom line, we are focused on this and are confident we can make it happen.”

While the 15-man game is struggling at the senior level, competition at the schools level is flourishing, with the help of league talent.

The introduction of league programs into prestigious private schools would be another blow to the player development prospects of Rugby Australia.

Already, the NRL’s elite junior development pathways are a huge draw for aspiring footballers across the country once their schooling days are over.

Those pathways will only increase when the NRL eventually expands to a 20-team competition.

NRL clubs are currently able to offer six development contracts worth $80,0000 with the potential to be upgraded into the top 30 rosters, where the minimum salary is $130,000.

But Abdo believes the NRL offers more than just financial incentives over its rival code.

“It’s about opening up talent pathways,” Abdo said.

“Aspiring elite athletes want great facilities like centres of excellence, which we are helping our clubs invest in.

“They want great coaching and great mentors, and they want an opportunity to showcase their skills in an elite professional environment, week in, week out. Rugby league and the NRL can provide all those things.”

Some of the NRL’s next-generation stars like Brisbane’s Cameron Bukowski (Villanova College) and Israel Leota (Ipswich Grammar), Melbourne’s Stanley Huen (Ipswich Grammar), Penrith’s Jesse and Casey McLean (Newington College) and Rooster Blake Steep (Scots College) are products of the GPS system in Sydney and Brisbane.

At the senior level, this year’s State of Origin series featured:

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (The King’s School ), Angus Crichton (Scots), Cameron Murray (Newington) and Connor Watson (Knox Grammar) for NSW, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Brisbane Grammar), Jaydn Su’A (Anglican Church Grammar), Pat Carrigan (Gregory Terrace) and Lindsay Collins (Padua) for Queensland.

South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray told this masthead he would not be surprised to see even more GPS students choose an NRL pathways given the quality of development available to young talent coming through the ranks.

“The public schools rugby league system is extraordinary and the resources rugby league kids have access to at private league schools and in the NRL junior reps is really unmatched,” Murray said.

“We might see more and more kids come through GPS schools into NRL but I still think the development you get at NRL is still the top tier in junior development.

NRL clubs and GPS schools have developed a symbiotic relationship at the junior representative level.

Clubs receive the benefit of a player in their system who had access to a quality education and richly resourced athletic programs.

While the schools have the advantage of a player that is also receiving elite skills coaching and physical conditioning at NRL club land.

“I always thought schoolboy rugby was the genuine pathway to playing union professionally, the GPS rugby programs are the highest quality. But obviously now more are also playing league.

“They are both pretty good ways or pathways to work on your craft.”
PVL could sell ice to an Eskimo, but if he can pull this off it will be his greatest achievement.

There's alot of talented League kids who have taken up scholarships to play Union at private schools.

Hopefully they all come back, but seeing how easily they are dominating in schoolboy Union Rugby Australia will be trying to sign them, Japanese Rugby are trying to sign Makasini.

Google the following names in 5 years and see where they end up

Toby Rodwell
Mitchell Woods
Heinz Lemoto
Onitoni Large
Heamasi Makasini
Rex Bassingwaighte
James Finegan
Alex Conti
Kahu Capper
 
Last edited:
Messages
3,503
PVL could sell ice to an Eskimo, but if he can pull this off it will be his greatest achievement.

There's alot of talented League kids who have taken up scholarships to play Union at private schools.

Hopefully they all come back, but seeing how easily they are dominating in schoolboy Union Rugby Australia will be trying to sign them, Japanese Rugby are trying to sign Makasini.

Google the following names in 5 years and see where they end up

Toby Rodwell
Mitchell Woods
Heinz Lemoto
Onitoni Large
Heamasi Makasini
Rex Bassingwaighte
James Finegan
Alex Conti
Kahu Capper

The game day thread gang are going to have fun if Heinz Lemoto becomes a regular NRL player.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
31,540
PVL could sell ice to an Eskimo, but if he can pull this off it will be his greatest achievement.

There's alot of talented League kids who have taken up scholarships to play Union at private schools.

Hopefully they all come back, but seeing how easily they are dominating in schoolboy Union Rugby Australia will be trying to sign them, Japanese Rugby are trying to sign Makasini.

Google the following names in 5 years and see where they end up

Toby Rodwell
Mitchell Woods
Heinz Lemoto
Onitoni Large
Heamasi Makasini
Rex Bassingwaighte
James Finegan
Alex Conti
Kahu Capper
Not enough hyphenated names
 

Billythekid

First Grade
Messages
6,745
The most important thing about moving in on these schools is it again shows the NRL is serious about taking the fight to other codes. Our sudden aggression with expansion also shows this. It feels like we’ve been all too content to sit back since superleague and all of a sudden the NRL is coming out swinging to try and be the number 1 code in the country. It’s good to see.
 
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