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Why Manu Tuilagi is more likely to join Sonny Bill Williams at Toronto Wolfpack than NRL star Latrell Mitchell
Speculation has been rife about the future of out-of-favour NRL star Latrell Mitchell in recent weeks, who has still not committed to a club beyond 2020 after failed negotiations with the Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys.
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The 22-year-old Sydney centre, who has won two NRL titles, played four times at State of Origin level for New South Wales and has claimed four tests for the Kangaroos, is a prodigious rugby league talent, but his wavering interest in Australia’s premier competition amid concerns regarding his attitude has forced him to look elsewhere for further career opportunities.
That led to the revelation that an enquiry of interest was made by Mitchell’s representatives to Rugby Australia about the possibility of a cross-code switch to rugby union.
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However, RA officials ruled out that move due to the timings of Dave Rennie’s inauguration as Wallabies head coach, the prioritised re-signings of other key players, and the impending $14 million legal battle with Israel Folau.
Now it seems that the Gold Coast Titans loom as the most likely destination for Mitchell in the NRL, with the youngster set to embark on a tour of club facilities in Queensland this week.
That hasn’t eliminated the prospect of a move outside of Australian rugby league, though, as it has emerged that the Toronto Wolfpack have been presented with the chance to capture Mitchell’s signature, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Adding Mitchell to the Wolfpack’s roster would strongly complement the acquisition of former All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill Williams, who last month signed a two-year deal with the Canadian club worth $10 million.
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It appears any chances of @NRL star Latrell Mitchell making the switch from rugby league to rugby union have taken a nosedive.https://t.co/NBPNk5a8ZC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 2, 2019
The duo would make Toronto strong contenders to take out the English Super League title in their debut season in the competition, but a report from NRL.com has unveiled why England rugby union midfielder Manu Tuilagi may be a more tantalising prospect for the Wolfpack.
Super League clubs are granted just five slots in their squads for overseas players, and with Toronto having already reached their cap, the recruitment of Mitchell would exceed that limit.
However, NRL.com understands that the Wolfpack are looking for confirmation from the Rugby Football League that the Samoan-born Tuilagi, who has played 40 times for England since moving there as a teenager in 2004, would not impact their quota of foreigners.
If he qualifies as a domestic player, the Wolfpack would be able to fit him into their squad at a discounted rate, as a player who has not previously played rugby league does not count against the salary cap in their first season in the Super League, while only 50 percent of his contract is included in their second season.
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Whether the Wolfpack can buy Tuilagi out of his new two-year deal with the Leicester Tigers is another question, but the slashed salary cap rates would alleviate any financial issues that could present themselves with luring such a prominent rugby figure to North America, which is something Mitchell would face if he is pursued by Toronto.
As one of two marquee signings already made by Toronto, Williams’ earnings are exempt from the £2.1 million Super League salary cap.
The other marquee signing is Samoan centre Ricky Leutele, who is earning reportedly equal to AU$800,000 (£422,000) per season – the same figure that Mitchell rejected when it was offered to him by the Roosters last month.
If Mitchell were to be signed by the Wolfpack, either his or Leutele’s full contract would need to be included in the salary cap as there isn’t enough room in the squad for three marquee players.
That would subsequently take a large chunk out of the Wolfpack’s salary cap, making a potential move to Canada less attractive for the Taree native.
With this many obstacles restricting Mitchell from moving abroad to resume his career in the northern hemisphere, it seems much more plausible to suggest that Tuilagi could follow in the footsteps of Williams in becoming the second significant cross-code transfer heading to Toronto.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Must be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
3 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
3 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
3 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
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