Rugby Union recruiting

[LeagueRhino]

Should the NRL increase the salary cap to try and minimise poaching from rugby union (was discussed on the nrl footy show too this)

I think something needs to be done. Rugby union may not be getting the top players from rugby league, but they are getting good quality second tier players (it could hurt the game down the track) You would be pissed if off if your a parramatta fan

David Gallop rekons there is nothing needed to be done about this.

Thoughts?

 

[POBT]

Should the NRL increase the salary cap to try and minimise poaching from rugby union (was discussed on the nrl footy show too this)

I think something needs to be done. Rugby union may not be getting the top players from rugby league, but they are getting good quality second tier players (it could hurt the game down the track) You would be pissed if off if your a parramatta fan

David Gallop rekons there is nothing needed to be done about this.

Thoughts?

For starters, I am a Parra fan but I'm not pissed off about losing Tahu. Good player and all but he's only been with us for a few seasons and has spent a fair bit of time out injured. Losing Hindmarsh to Union - then I'd be upset!

As far as the salary cap goes, until Union starts to get the best of the junior and senior talent consistently, then I don't think there's any need to do anything major. For example, if Greg Inglis and Benji signed with Union for their next contracts, then it is time to be concerned. But Ryan Cross and Timana Tahu will be replaced by the next generation before we know it. They are a loss to the game but not damaging to the quality of rugby league in the NRL.

 

[LeagueRhino]

I disagree here a little. Your right the game won't be damaged by losing these players, but when will it stop? How many players are they going to poach? What about if the red chase after tate? league is well on top of union, but we can't just let players to keep crossing over. (it could hurt the game in the more longer term)

 

[WesternSydney]

A loyalty system would be a good way to go IMO. Players earn a certain amount based on the revenue the NRL generates, that money is placed in a sort of trust, those who chose to move to another competition or code would not be eligible for the payout at the end of their careers.

The payments could start off small but wind up being something pretty significant for a player who spends say 10-15 years in the NRL and manages to represent his state and country. If players were faced with losing a significant lump sum payment by changing codes or comps maybe a few would be less likely to do so.

First thing we'd need to do is shake off the leeches, Rupert - I'm looking at you!!!

 

[Philhawk]

To be honest, Parra will be fine anyway as they have some terrific young talent already (particularly in the form of Inu) to take the place of Tahu.

In regards to the salary cap, I say keep it as it is but introduce the marquee player system Bellamy wanted 2 years ago and is coming to the fore only now.

 

[greenhat]

I dunno about the marquee system.
Would we see the top player in a team getting $1m/year or something ridiculous, while his next highest paid teammate gets $300k, and most are on $150k?
I can't see the non-marquee players taking that too well. I think the wallabies are already having some players unhappy about Tuqiri's contract.

Plus, would it actually stop union poaching much? As POBT pointed out in another thread, in the NRL halves already get paid much more, which is probably a big part of why the ARU only seems to be able poach wingers.
There is no way an NRL club would waste its marquee contract on a winger, so NRL wingers' pay would stay around the same as now, and the ARU's big dollars would be just as attractive.

The advantage, I guess, is that the NRL might be able to poach some union talent. I'm not sure about that one though. Starting an all out bidding war with the ARU (and the IRB) could be pretty dangerous.

 

[Ancient and Loyal]

I think a system of 1-2 Marquee players a club is a great idea and rewards those clubs with more financial power in a way that's less unbalanced than opening the floodgates on third party player payments or waiting for one of them to challenge the legality of the salary cap

BUT, Gallop is correct about Union. This is an organisation that's set to drown in the red this year, is forcing it's own players to accept reduced contracts while going out to buy players not quite in RL's top class. If they want to buy some decent RL backs to get cold waiting for their terrible forwards to distribute the ball, let them. It's their own funeral if they continue to ignore their own promising juniors in favour of late 20 somethings from RL...

 

[Warwick]

Increasing the salary cap by the extent needed to ward off the poachers, would kill a couple of the clubs.

I would start to get concerned when a couple of the young stars, or players in important positions, transferred over. Rugby can take all the wingers they want.

 

[Ancient and Loyal]

Increasing the salary cap by the extent needed to ward off the poachers, would kill a couple of the clubs.

Which is something that players like Willie Mason fail to see. Clubs would fall over, leaving the possibility of earning an income for fringe players to fall quite substantially. Wests, Newcastle, Manly, Cronulla and Canberra are all operating on shoe string budgets that can barely meet the cap. The only thing keeping the Warriors from posting eight figure losses is their massive volunteer base.

But I do think the NRL should be forced to release its earnings, so News Limited are held accountable for what they're taking from the game.