SMH Rugby Union article

[GBT]

http://rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/30/1059480414902.html

What would the implications be for both codes if both Rugby League players and coaches were released for Rugby Union Internationals? I know it's all hypothetical, but who would have most to gain?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

One definite loser would be International League, if this movve went ahead it would pretty much be an acknowledgement that League is dead at the international level. It would obviously benefit International Rugby, and the publicity could benefit club League as well.

 

[GBT]

Seems like the Wallabies are getting desperate.

I don't know how international league could suffer if the players switched straight back after the competition.

How would it look if the Rugger WC winners star players and coach were from the League code?

The thought of such a scenario would force the IRB into stopping any such notion.

 

[CanadianSteve]

I can see in the long term it would be beneficial to have an agreement where league players could be released to union teams for big events. It might prevent the loss of league players that was feared a couple of years ago when Sailor and Rogers, and later Tuquiri switched to union. Instead players could go play union to get their taste of international competition, then go back to their league clubs.

On the other hand, maybe the code-switching isn't going to turn into a flood as was feared earlier. Are any other big signings imminent?

Also, the article Gav cited talked about Andrew Johns and Lockyer joining the Wallabies now, in time for the WC. I know that's hypothetical and isn't going to happen, but would it even work? Could a few additional league players join the Wallabies now, at this late date, and actually help them?

 

[GBT]

Should the unthinkable happen and Bradford failed to make the Super League play-offs, it's quite possible that they would release Tevita Vaikona and Lesley Vainikolo to play for the Tongan RU side.

With Ricky Stuart coaching, plus Lockyer, Fittler, Johns and Ben Kennedy in the line-up, the Wallabies - or should that be Wallaroos? Who knows how they'd go at such short notice.

According to one Aussie League fan, this kind of talk isn't that uncommon. It does highlight how weak union really is in Australia.

Incidently, the article was penned by former League coach, Roy Masters.

 

[Stevo_G]

what an absoloute crock of shit why should rl let rl players play in big union comps i dout that the rfu would let english players play for u.k in league

 

[dimitri]

it would just confirm what we already know

league players like sailor, tuquri, rogers etc would excel in yawnion


whilst yawnion players such as the 'great' GARRICK MORGAN

would struggle to make reserve grade league

 

[Te Kaha]

it would just confirm what we already know

league players like sailor, tuquri, rogers etc would excel in yawnion


whilst yawnion players such as the 'great' GARRICK MORGAN

would struggle to make reserve grade league

Selective memory there.

Inga, Timu, Botica, Ridge, Halligan, Hill, All Played for the kiwis and Inness would have except for the war.

 

[Mint Condition]

LOL, Roy Masters writing about Rugby Union!!! Just shows how much the codes grown!

But seriously, what a load of crap. I think every player that has crossed to union has proved that no RL player can just come over to rugby and play their first game for one of the good international sides and excell.

Even Jason Robinson was very rusty when he first came to union. It's a different game and while these players that have crossed and Johns and Lockyer etc are quality players it has been proven that they need time to adjust. All converts have said how much harder it was than they thought it would be. Also, to date besides Matt Rogers all the converts made a bigger impact in league than they have union. Not to mention all the converts that have made it were absolute superstars in league. It would be an embarrasment for rugby league if none of them made it.

There's a lot more Rugby union players in history that have played a handful of games before playing for international league teams than the other way round.

I can't believe people have taken this article seriously. Roy Masters writing about Rugby Union tells you a few things of what the general theme of the article will be before you read it.

 

[dimitri]

Selective memory there.

Inga, Timu, Botica, Ridge, Halligan, Hill, All Played for the kiwis and Inness would have except for the war.

yeah i understand that
NZ is a bit of a different story


but in australia

players like garrick morgan, peter jorgenson, darren junee etc

caused little more than a ripple on the RL stage

 

[Mint Condition]

Sam Harris, a former Waratah reserve has seemed to have cemented a spot in the Manly side.

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league and been succesfull than the other way round, you can't deny that.

Today though none of the best union players switch. League either snatch them off union when they're just out of school (but it's not really a snatch as a lot of young guys play both codes these days) or they get them a few years later after they couldn't quite make it in the big time at Union.

 

[Dean Moriarty]

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league and been succesfull than the other way round, you can't deny that.

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league, full stop.

On the original article, very few players could actually convert at such short notice between the codes. Even Mat Rogers took a while to think union rather than league when he switched, and he had a union background. IMO Andrew Johns would make a fine union player if he switched, but it would take him a good while to hit form. The core skills may be very similar but game strategies are very different.

 

[BTige]

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league and been succesfull than the other way round, you can't deny that.

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league, full stop.

Well, a couple of the rocket scientists.

Next you'll be telling us onion has been professional since 1895 and that it was always possible to switch (Nobody was ever banned for sullying themselves with the 13 man game) from RL to RU.

:roll:

 

[Dean Moriarty]

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league and been succesfull than the other way round, you can't deny that.

There's many more players in history who have gone from union to league, full stop.

Well, a couple of the rocket scientists.

Next you'll be telling us onion has been professional since 1895 and that it was always possible to switch (Nobody was ever banned for sullying themselves with the 13 man game) from RL to RU.

:roll:

Which was precisely my point. Sorry if it was a bit subtle for you. :roll:

 

[Mint Condition]

On the original article, very few players could actually convert at such short notice between the codes. Even Mat Rogers took a while to think union rather than league when he switched, and he had a union background. IMO Andrew Johns would make a fine union player if he switched, but it would take him a good while to hit form. The core skills may be very similar but game strategies are very different.

Exactly.

 

[russ13]

Are you sure Sam Harris is/was a regular first grader with 13th placed Manly?


There is an interesting topic about the migration of Welsh RU players to RL in England in Alan Bateman's biography. He (a welshman & dual international) says over 900 Welsh RU players made the trip to RL last century. It was described as the world's biggest sporting migration.

Bateman pointed out that the Welshmen used aliases while they trailed at RL clubs. He also noted 'there were more zeros than heros'- the vast majority(unable to get a professional contract) just returned home & continued to play union.