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Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent

Messages
479
What a place to be heading to:

Today`s SMH.

"The five tries-to-one performance loss extended the Wallabies’ 23-year losing streak in New Zealand to 30 Test matches, and ended a Rugby Championship tournament where the Wallabies won only one of six Tests – and conceded the worst score by any Wallabies team ever."

You gotta laugh.
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
31,709
I see Suaalii is going to be selected for the Wallabies tour of the UK.

The bar is so low that a bloke who has only played Union at a schoolboy level can walk into the national team.
Still will be one of their star players and their goal kicker
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,262
Still will be one of their star players and their goal kicker
In Union they throw leaguies straight into the deep end, first game of professional Union shouldn't be for the Wallabies.

They did the same to RTS, Burgess and Benji, straight into top grade with no time to learn a new game. They are seen as failures even though Burgess and RTS both played for the National team.

Nawaqanitawase and Gordon coming to NRL they have been given time to learn the game in NSW/QLD cup.
 
Messages
727
I see Suaalii is going to be selected for the Wallabies tour of the UK.

The bar is so low that a bloke who has only played Union at a schoolboy level can walk into the national team.
Going on tour was always going to happen given the stupid amount of money they paid.

But given their itinerary it'll mainly be to get acclimated, rather than any expectation to play. Joe's a smart coach; he wont put him on the pitch until he's ready. He'll be a gun no doubt, its just how quick he gets there.
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,262
Heamasi Makasini knocks back Rugby Australia and Japanese rugby to sign with West's Tigers.

The article reports two of his Jnr Wallabies teams mates, breakaway Lemoto and fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte, are currently being chased by both codes, both players have league back grounds but after playing 2 years of Rugby in private schools Union is keen to keep them. This is why it's so important to get league played in private schools.


 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
31,709
Heamasi Makasini knocks back Rugby Australia and Japanese rugby to sign with West's Tigers.

The article reports two of his Jnr Wallabies teams mates, breakaway Lemoto and fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte, are currently being chased by both codes, both players have league back grounds but after playing 2 years of Rugby in private schools Union is keen to keep them. This is why it's so important to get league played in private schools.


Union trying to claim league juniors as their own

Been doing it since Wally Lewis time
 
Messages
727
Smh reports Suaalii has a player option to a further 2 years for 4m.

Total contract with Rugby Australia is 5 years for 9m.
Holy shit thats nuts. WTF was McLennan thinking when he did that deal? The RA balance sheet was - and still is - on the bones of its arse but he was spending money like he personally printed the stuff.
 
Messages
479
Holy shit thats nuts. WTF was McLennan thinking when he did that deal? The RA balance sheet was - and still is - on the bones of its arse but he was spending money like he personally printed the stuff.
If for whatever reason it doesn`t work out for Sua`lli, they are in trouble. A Rugby League club could take him off their hands and it would hardly cost a cent. RA could still have to be forking out well over a mill, mill and a half.
 

Vlad59

Bench
Messages
3,992
Holy shit thats nuts. WTF was McLennan thinking when he did that deal? The RA balance sheet was - and still is - on the bones of its arse but he was spending money like he personally printed the stuff.
Yep. Came across to me as a solid NRL level player. Worth a third of that
 

Munky

Coach
Messages
12,080
Smh reports Suaalii has a player option to a further 2 years for 4m.

Total contract with Rugby Australia is 5 years for 9m.

Considering outside backs average 3 tackles and 7 touches of the ball per game, he's earning some very easy $$$

Pencil in late April 2025 into your calendar.

The ARU will release its 2024 financial report.

Massive lolz will be had in this thread.

I imagine by then they'll be seeking further refinance on their already tightening noose of debt.
 
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15,182
Below is taken from this article (https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/1616e69e8244d2843b371f557ff5e6bb) -

TIGERS SIGN NEXT GREG INGLIS

The Wests Tigers have reportedly signed a 17-year-old schoolboy described as a “young Greg Inglis” to a contract worth over $1 million.

Heamasi Makasini is in year 11 at Newington College in Sydney’s inner west who has come through the Tigers’ pathways.

He plays both rugby league and rugby union, even scoring a try for the Australian under 18s rugby union side in their win over New Zealand Schoolboys.

However, the teen sensation has committed to league for now after penning an extension with the Tigers, with The Daily Telegraph reporting it’s worth over $1 million.

Makasini’s agent Mario Tartak says there was high interest from league and union, but told The Daily Telegraph that his client wants to play NRL for the Tigers

“Athletically, Heamasi is next level,” Tartak said.

“He has just turned 17, is still in year 11, has the world at his feet and wants to be a Wests Tiger.

“Benji Marshall has told Heamasi and his parents that he could play NRL as soon as next year while still at school.
“He is very well developed. Honestly, he’s got it all. He’s definitely a gem. He reminds some of a young Folau or a young Inglis.”

Tartak said former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who now coaches Japanese domestic side Saitama Wild Knights, met with Makasini, however the allure of playing with his mates at the Tigers and aim for a first grade debut next year was too great.
 
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