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Rugby Australia to target top NRL talent

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,489
Cut n paste from the tele

SECURE MORE LEAGUE TALENTS

Jamie Pandaram
Joe Schmidt says the Wallabies must target more rugby league-playing juniors, as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made a miracle recovery to be named to start against Ireland.
The Australian coach says creating a successful Wallabies team can lure more talented league stars across to union and disrupt the dominance the NRL has on junior recruitment.
“The pipeline has become a little bit fragmented and probably narrow, and what we’re trying to do by getting people excited about the top end, is probably capture a few more of the players that may otherwise have gone to rugby league,” Schmidt said.
“It’s a pretty constant threat. There are 18 rugby league teams that play in the NRL, not all of them based in rugby areas, or in Australia. But that’s a constant battle.”
 
Messages
14,816
The Australian union team have lost 7 out of their last 10 internationals i think.
Now that not liable to entice juniors over as juniors like to be associated with winners and at the moment the union team are not winners.
 
Messages
3,644
Cut n paste from the tele

SECURE MORE LEAGUE TALENTS

Jamie Pandaram
Joe Schmidt says the Wallabies must target more rugby league-playing juniors, as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made a miracle recovery to be named to start against Ireland.
The Australian coach says creating a successful Wallabies team can lure more talented league stars across to union and disrupt the dominance the NRL has on junior recruitment.
“The pipeline has become a little bit fragmented and probably narrow, and what we’re trying to do by getting people excited about the top end, is probably capture a few more of the players that may otherwise have gone to rugby league,” Schmidt said.
“It’s a pretty constant threat. There are 18 rugby league teams that play in the NRL, not all of them based in rugby areas, or in Australia. But that’s a constant battle.”

And in other news Lawn Bowl clubs are gearing up across Australia to launch an aggressive raid on rugby league talent. Bob from Rooty Hill Bowls Club said "It's a constant battle. We keep telling Nathan Cleary he can have 1 free drink on the clubhouse if he signs with us, but negotiations are ongoing. If he's happy playing that suburban game in Penrith when he could broaden his perspective and see the world, by driving a short distance down the road to the suburb of Rooty Hill, well that's on him. We'll still do mail drops on our fantastic weekly lunch deals in his mailbox."
 

bazza

Immortal
Messages
30,924
The Australian union team have lost 7 out of their last 10 internationals i think.
Now that not liable to entice juniors over as juniors like to be associated with winners and at the moment the union team are not winners.
spending millions on a few players in the hope that it will make the top level successful and then get juniors to play
Seems like the most high risk, low reward way to increase junior playing numbers
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
34,267
Is Marky mark going to play first grade for the chooks ?

The titans guy I think is getting a crack at the six jersey next year
 

bazza

Immortal
Messages
30,924
I assume that there is a big gap in what NRLW pay and what female RU players can get. Also lack of depth in the women's game means that RU players are likely to be able to step into the NRLW and do well so lower risk in signing them up
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
34,267
The WNRL will eventually become the NBA of women’s rugby union/league.

by that I mean, all the worlds best players will be playing in it.

The NRL should be aiming to do the same.
Women’s World Cup could be a way to grow the sport internationally and get more people following the sport

And women’s wages in union are poor league can use those as a feeder type league
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,621
The wage gap in NRL to union isn't that big (or no gap compared to some overseas opportunities)
It would need to get to the stage where the starting wage in the NRL would be similar to a mid-level RU player for the risk to be worth it on both ends

Probably get better ROI looking at the 7s circuit than trying to land an All Black or Springbok. Plus guys like Leo Thompson who are languishing in lower level union but may be more suited to League.
 

bazza

Immortal
Messages
30,924
Probably get better ROI looking at the 7s circuit than trying to land an All Black or Springbok. Plus guys like Leo Thompson who are languishing in lower level union but may be more suited to League.
yes - though NRL clubs would only really offer them entry level wage - don't know how that compares to 7s or NPC in NZ. Though the player has more upside if they are happy to take the chance that they will make it in 1-2 years
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,621
yes - though NRL clubs would only really offer them entry level wage - don't know how that compares to 7s or NPC in NZ. Though the player has more upside if they are happy to take the chance that they will make it in 1-2 years

From a quick search figures I’ve found don’t seem great for 7s, the average would be below NRL’s minimum wage. I’m sure some of the better ones may be getting more plus sponsors etc.

Even if the money is similar I’m sure plenty would be interested.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,857
Should focus their efforts on junior players that they can get into the system early. No point wasting millions on established players. Cut RA’s production line off at the knees.
WA will be our next Union battle ground. For too long The Force and more recently Twiggy's funded academy has been hoovering up the best Rugby (sic) talent in WA. With the (hopefully) arrival of a Perth NRL club in 2027 and significantly increased grassroots funding to NRLWA we should be able to crush Unions grip on the best kids here.
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,621
Should focus their efforts on junior players that they can get into the system early. No point wasting millions on established players. Cut RA’s production line off at the knees.

Basically already happening in most of Australia isn’t it? NSW & QLD certainly. Storm should benefit from the Rebels demise by now being the only professional rugby option in the city, likewise if Perth come in they will give an option other than the force for WA juniors.
 

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