Rugby Union eyeing off Tate

[fLIP]

AFTER turning its back on Eric Grothe, the Australian Rugby Union last night sharpened its focus on Brisbane star Brent Tate.

In a week in which the ARU has already secured the services of Parramatta and Australia back Timana Tahu, the union confirmed that Brisbane's grand final winnerr remained a player of "significant interest".

Queensland Super 14 coach Eddie Jones meanwhile revealed that he had approached the ARU for financial support to aid any cross-town poaching mission.

"We haven't spoken in the past few weeks, but the Reds are definitely interested if he (Tate) is," Jones said.

 

[fLIP]

131 first graders have quit the NRL since Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor's exit in 2001 materialised rugby's threat.

According to league historian David Middleton, an exodus of almost eight teams of talent has struck the NRL over the past six seasons.

 

[Duff]

And still the yawnion is boring as bat sh1t.

Nothing can make the amateur code look professional, not even money.

 

[PEPSI]

those players have not all gone to Union, some to england and more than half retired!

tates off countract, hes fuelling the speculation, bumping up his contracts.

like to broncos dont have a replacement lined up already!

 

[DSM5]

A really stupid article. As if players can play into their 40s. Very few went to union and so what if they did. Our game isn't suffering from lack of talent, either presently or rising.

 

[fLIP]

It's not all about union. The basis of the argument is that the players are leaving for more money. Be it union or super league.

Something needs to be done but its a tough thing to figure out without ruining the standard of our comp.

 

[DSM5]

The point is that players come, players go, a few for more money, most because they get old or injured. Union teams and UK franchises can't buy them all and if some move on there's always somebody else to rise.