Why don't we ever "raid" Union?

[BlueandGold]

I’d say 90% of kiwis in the NRL were RU juniors.

No way mate.

30% Max.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

No way mate.

30% Max.

Lol given that RL isn’t even played in 90% of NZ schools I think it’s a lot higher than that. The VAST majority of kiwis who come up through the junior ranks play RU at school even if they might play some junior league for clubs.

 

[10$ Ferret]

The "raiding" of schoolboy RU players is a myth to a large extent. Most play RL and RU and are playing school level RU due to having a scholarship. The private schools and catholic schools are realising they are getting much better players if they let their students play HM and SG Ball, its much different now than it used to be. To be honest most schoolboy rugby coaching is terrible and the "gold" squad elite training systems are just for kids with parents involved in RU admin and again not great quality.

 

[Valheru]

The question is obviously in reference to poaching top line established RU players. The popular opinion on here is no doubt that they couldn't make the transition and/or are inferior athletes.

That is just not true, a lot of them would do well in rugby league. The real reason is we simply don't have anything to offer said players that would make them want to switch. The RU carrot to NRL players is a) cash and b) the RU World cup. We can't match them on either.

 

[King hit]

Have you seen the quality of Union lately

 

[Wb1234]

Top union players are on the same as the best players in the nrl

maybe more in France where they pay minimal tax

no nrl club is going to pay that kind of money on a player who might not even make it in the nrl or would probably be average

other than value on marketing for the nz warriors they would offer little marketing value for any Australian club as most fans wouldn’t even know who it is

 

[jim_57]

There’s currently a couple of former 7’s Internationals running around in first grade (Miller, Warbrick). Likely Sadrugu will make it 3 at some point this season, there is probably others as well that’s just off the top of my head.

Picking off a few of them here and there would be a better target than established Wallabies or All Blacks.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Mainly because the best RU players are mostly ones who do not play for Australia. Its been a very long time since thge Wallabies have had real star players who would be a success if they swapped codes.

As has been pointed out by other posters, league has done a better job of snaring them whilst they are still kids. It is why there are media reports that some are imploring the ARU to focus on rebuilding its schoolboys pathways, as it has fallen away terrible in the last decade or so.

 

[T-Boon]

Do they even still play a rugby World Cup. I can’t remember last time it was on - seems like over a decade. It can’t be that much of a carrot.

 

[T-Boon]

I am at the point where I can’t name a single wallabies player. Nick white - does he still play? He was from my town.

 

[docbrown]

The question is obviously in reference to poaching top line established RU players. The popular opinion on here is no doubt that they couldn't make the transition and/or are inferior athletes.

That is just not true, a lot of them would do well in rugby league. The real reason is we simply don't have anything to offer said players that would make them want to switch. The RU carrot to NRL players is a) cash and b) the RU World cup. We can't match them on either.

I had a look recently and there's 18 Rugby clubs with higher salary caps than the NRL. The Top 14 French clubs and four Irish clubs. The English just cut their salary cap. Yes, there are top ups for international matches etc. But I'd say for roughly 8
70 to 80% of all the rugby players at next world cup, they would make more in career earnings playing NRL than they would in rugby.

 

[docbrown]

Honestly, look at the Super Rugby crowds and TV ratings in Australia. There might not even be 3 Australian sides in 10 years, let alone 5. They're bleeding cash.

 

[taipan]

Look on the bright side , when Australia Union poaches a NRL player ,they mostly pay a decent sum which p*sses off some Wallaby players , who started from ground up and gave their blood and guts for countless scrums and enjoyable penalties.
Then a Johnny come lately comes in and gets Rugby union lotto $$$$.
IMO you win some ,you lose the odd one .It's not going to improve sh*t house TV ratings or bring crowds wanting to watch the game they play in Devon.
Except for a RWC every 4 years ,union is well down the pecking order here ,where people would perhaps guess the name of the Wallaby coach .Yet a Wallaby player could walk along the Pitt St Mall and a D grade busker would have more chance of recognition there.

 

[Brian potter]

as already stated it would be a big financial risk to sign top union talent these days but their was some good players that crossed the divide in the 90’s like John timu, inga tuigamala, mathew ridge and Craig innes etc.

Also Welsh union players Jonathan Davies, Scott gibbs, Alan Bateman and Phil ford etc in England.

Pity the dolphins missed out on super rugby chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson who is currently the form player in that comp and potential all blacks fullback for the World Cup.

 

[Brian potter]

Definitely some rough diamonds on the union 7’s circuit and possibly in the union Fijian u20’s national team as well.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

The question is obviously in reference to poaching top line established RU players. The popular opinion on here is no doubt that they couldn't make the transition and/or are inferior athletes.

That is just not true, a lot of them would do well in rugby league. The real reason is we simply don't have anything to offer said players that would make them want to switch. The RU carrot to NRL players is a) cash and b) the RU World cup. We can't match them on either.

and much unspoken c) you’ll likely have a longer career as it’s less physically demanding compared to league especially if you’re a half or back

 

[blukablu]

Not sure about Sydney GPS but the Brisbane GPS competition is full of League players on scholarships, plenty of them already have contracts with NRL clubs. Over the next 5 years when you look at Queensland Rugby Union schoolboys rep teams, 50%+ will be playing NRL within a few years.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Looks like Suaalii wants the money then and is probably going to Union in 2025 -

Club Statement: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

The management of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii have informed the Sydney Roosters that he will be departing the Club at the end of his current contract term.

www.roosters.com.au

 

[nick87]

Raiding the wallabies would be a real boon for the NSW/QLD cup
Well worth considering

 

[Valheru]

and much unspoken c) you’ll likely have a longer career as it’s less physically demanding compared to league especially if you’re a half or back

Definitely the case for halves and backs which is where the skill transfer between the 2 sports lies. Things are pretty grim being a forward in rugby union though, you can do just about anything in those rucks.