In today's episode of what could possibly go wrong....
www.smh.com.au
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wants NRL clubs to actively target Wallabies stars – and they will be given a financial incentive to do so.
V’landys has revealed an audacious cut-price Wallaby plan to counter Rugby Australia’s intentions to chase the best players in rugby league.
V’landys is sick of NRL stars being linked to rugby – correctly or through their managers trying to drive up their prices. He is also clearly frustrated by the aggressive approach of his rugby counterpart, Hamish McLennan, who is gaining plenty of traction with his combative style.
“We have been looking at bringing in salary cap exemptions for players from other countries for some time,” V’landys said. “It was about bringing in players from America and other nations. It would also apply to players from other sports. And, yes, other sports includes rugby.
“If a Wallaby or an All Black wanted to come over, we’d look at cap exemptions for sure. We have been looking at this for quite a while, and it’s a good time to revisit this. It’s something I’d like to see come in and come in now.”
An obvious target is rising star Max Jorgensen, although he recently re-signed with Rugby Australia until the end of 2024. However, he is just 18 years old, and Kangaroos and Blues great Laurie Daley has already said the teenager is a $1 million player in league.
Jorgensen trained with the Roosters while a schoolboy, and players were impressed with his athleticism, some comparing him to skipper James Tedesco at a similar age. If he was a discount buy under the NRL salary cap, he would have even more appeal.
There are also a range of former league players in the rugby ranks, and All Blacks galore, NRL clubs could target, from former Storm star Suliasi Vunivalu at the Queensland Reds to Semi Radradra, who scored 82 tries in 94 games for the Eels and is now raking in the cash in European rugby.
Other names include Marika Koroibete, who played 74 NRL games before winning the John Eales Medal in 2019 as rugby’s best in Australia, bullocking centre Samu Kerevi and Izaia Perese, who played two games with the Broncos in his younger years.
If V’landys gets his way, it could also impede rugby’s pursuit of NRL stars. Brisbane’s Payne Haas and South Sydney’s Cameron Murray are just two of the big names rugby bosses have an interest in. They may be forced to divert some of the millions from the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and 2027 home World Cup into hanging on to their own talent.
(Notice how all of a sudden the Manly players from a couple of weeks ago aren't mentioned?)
V’landys plans cap relief for NRL clubs to raid rugby
Peter V’landys wants NRL clubs to actively target Wallabies stars – and there are plans for them to be given a financial incentive to do so.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wants NRL clubs to actively target Wallabies stars – and they will be given a financial incentive to do so.
V’landys has revealed an audacious cut-price Wallaby plan to counter Rugby Australia’s intentions to chase the best players in rugby league.
V’landys is sick of NRL stars being linked to rugby – correctly or through their managers trying to drive up their prices. He is also clearly frustrated by the aggressive approach of his rugby counterpart, Hamish McLennan, who is gaining plenty of traction with his combative style.
“We have been looking at bringing in salary cap exemptions for players from other countries for some time,” V’landys said. “It was about bringing in players from America and other nations. It would also apply to players from other sports. And, yes, other sports includes rugby.
“If a Wallaby or an All Black wanted to come over, we’d look at cap exemptions for sure. We have been looking at this for quite a while, and it’s a good time to revisit this. It’s something I’d like to see come in and come in now.”
An obvious target is rising star Max Jorgensen, although he recently re-signed with Rugby Australia until the end of 2024. However, he is just 18 years old, and Kangaroos and Blues great Laurie Daley has already said the teenager is a $1 million player in league.
Jorgensen trained with the Roosters while a schoolboy, and players were impressed with his athleticism, some comparing him to skipper James Tedesco at a similar age. If he was a discount buy under the NRL salary cap, he would have even more appeal.
There are also a range of former league players in the rugby ranks, and All Blacks galore, NRL clubs could target, from former Storm star Suliasi Vunivalu at the Queensland Reds to Semi Radradra, who scored 82 tries in 94 games for the Eels and is now raking in the cash in European rugby.
Other names include Marika Koroibete, who played 74 NRL games before winning the John Eales Medal in 2019 as rugby’s best in Australia, bullocking centre Samu Kerevi and Izaia Perese, who played two games with the Broncos in his younger years.
If V’landys gets his way, it could also impede rugby’s pursuit of NRL stars. Brisbane’s Payne Haas and South Sydney’s Cameron Murray are just two of the big names rugby bosses have an interest in. They may be forced to divert some of the millions from the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and 2027 home World Cup into hanging on to their own talent.
(Notice how all of a sudden the Manly players from a couple of weeks ago aren't mentioned?)
