NRL players are actively chasing code swaps says RA boss McLennan
Confirming a raid on NRL talent, Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has made the startling revelation “lots of league players” are hunting a code swap to the 15-man game.
In what should sound alarm bells in league land, McLennan also plans to continue pursuing NRL stars ahead of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour down under and the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Having already lured Sydney Roosters teenage sensation Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii back to rugby on a multi-million-dollar deal from 2025, RA and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones are also circling fellow former schoolboy stars Cameron Murray and Payne Haas, and even dual premiership-winning playmaker Nathan Cleary.
ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys has enjoyed mocking the rival code in recent weeks and McLennan was only too happy to stir the pot himself after announcing RA’s $8.2 million surplus for 2022.
Broke and almost destitute during the pandemic, McLennan says RA is now cashed up and ready to swoop on more NRL big guns.
“I wouldn’t overstate what happens with the money but there are a lot of league players that have reached out to us,” McLennan said.
“We’re the first to say league is a great game but they want something different with rugby union.
“We’ll see in due course whether it’s right for them and for us. There’s not going to be 20 players we poach or try and bring back. The ones we’ve talked about have played union during their high school years and we think there is a role for them here in our game.
“Our primary goal is to look after the guys we have at the moment. There’s really only a handful of people we’ll look to get back.”
Declaring RA on an “even keel” now with the NRL, McLennan is making no apologies for his organisation’s bullish approach to the code war.
“Some rugby die-hards hate it,” he said.
“We just see that we have lost a lot of very good union players to league over the years and they’ve been poaching our talent pool.
“They squeal when we take one or two of them back. We’ve been very strategic. It’s a free market. It’s good for the players.
“As Eddie said, there’s only five per cent of players that have the skills to do both.
“Suaalii has a great amount of natural talent. He’d be perfect for us. We’re taking a long-term view with the Lions and Rugby World Cup.
“He loves Sevens. Everyone is going a bit bananas about it but there will only be a handful of players we’d like to pull back. We’ll get a few of them back who we think can make a difference.”
McLennan also hopes Suaalii, a product of the King’s School in Sydney, isn’t punished for returning to rugby.
“I hope league aren’t punitive and he can play in Origin,” he said.
“He will be a Wallaby. He will play in a Lions series. He will play at a Rugby World Cup and he can go to the Olympics in 2028. That’s remarkable for a young man.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to comments