- Brought to you by:
Rugby's NRL 13
The news that Cronulla's feeder club and the Southern Districts rugby union club are to form a partnership comes hot on the heels of Benji Marshall's bid to play rugby union in the NRL off-season.
A number of top-level players have been lost from the NRL in recent years, and we have come up with quite a formidable lineup of ex-players currently the 15-a-side game.
1. Clinton Schifcofske (Ulster, Nth Ireland)
2. Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs)
3. Mark Gasnier (Stade Francais, France)
4. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
5. Timana Tahu (NSW Waratahs)
6. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
7. Craig Gower (Bayonne, France)
13. Shontayne Hape (Bath, England)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (Toulon, France)
11. Rocky Elsom (Leinster, Ireland)
10. Brad Thorn (Canterbury Crusaders)
9. Mark McLinden (Queensland Reds)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
How do you think this squad would fare if they came to the NRL as a team?
LATEST COMMENTS
Miguel - If Union couldnt support another team in Australia then why are they putting another team here? - John O'Neil is a smart business man who knows a thing or two about expanding codes in this country and he doesnt make these decisions lightly - Why dont you think before you type? - AND also for a bloke who seems to hate Union so much and despise everything it does you seem to know alot about it - The Fact is whether it is a big sport in the country or not Rugby is Played in 90 + countries and sevens is played in that many countries as well all around the word - JUST DEAL WITH IT. The game is looking to expand into Asia and further into the US and Canada whereas league on the other hand is trying to get leagues clubs in western sydney out of the red. If you look at the goals of Union and the goals of league you see which game is bigger world wide - plain and simple. People around the world dont know what league is because the guys who run the code dont care about the fans and making new fans or the supporters they already have all they care about is looking after themselves (Delmege etc) and their wallets - League has had 100 years to kill Union in this country and it just cant put it away because people love watching Union because it is an awesome multifaceted game and League will never be that ever ever ever - Before you start again just think about it - the game of Union involves a whole lot more then kicking and passing and running and tackling it also has a huge array of issues it works through each year to try to improve the game where as league each year (without fail) has the same three issues which are Union and The Grapple tackle and criminal players. League is just light years behind and always will be. Personally i believe that League is a sport where you only have to watch the highlights because the other 78 mins are the same in every game (tackle run pass repeat) - There are no set piece battles to watch for - there are no expanding backline moves to watch for it is all the same week in and week out.
- Posted by: James D on March 14, 2009 1:24 PM
The rah rah commentators should note that no one falls for the old "I love both codes ya da ya da".
Peter Fitzsimons has been trotting it out for years and no-one believes him...
Union is the 4th football code and rapidly falling in Australia.
Union can't even support 4 teams in the Super 14, let alone another.
As for union's global reach, its own report showed 97% of the people watching the Union World Cup in 2007 were from 8 countries not 90 or 100.
Union is a nothing sport outside the Five Nations (Italy is a laugh) and the Tri-Nations, one of which, Australia, has about 66,000 players (ie. almost none).
The only difference between rugby league and union is that one sport pretends it is global and the other doesn't. Have a guess which is which?
Keep trying though...
- Posted by: Miguel Sanchez on March 13, 2009 1:36 PM
Dave mate no one listen's to Miguel - why would you listen to a person who is just plain wrong - The only thing i would like to see is Wycliff Palu running into and subsequently running through any mungo forward in the whole NRL - To watch Willie Mason try a put a hit on him hahahaha. Palu he is bigger and stronger than any mungo.
- Posted by: James D on March 13, 2009 10:19 AM
@ Miguel Sanchez. Really can't agree with much you have said. But some points you have made(up) are absolute rubbish. Rugby is played by more than 90 countries.
Super League can't come close to the money Union offers and never will.
And Union has hardly copied league. How? Buy paying the players is the only thing I can think of. I have played both since I was was four - love both codes but one is a huge and growing growing entity and the other is league. Go the Sea Eagles!
- Posted by: dave on March 12, 2009 6:57 PM
I see your argument has matured nicely in 3 days "leaguediehard"...
(perhaps "rah rah blowhard" might be a better ID?)
Answer the questions or get an argument!
Maybe if you tell us a third time how much you love rugby league we might believe it.
Of course the SMH might prefer just to post your inane comments in toto a third time?
- Posted by: Miguel Sanchez on March 12, 2009 10:26 AM
Im a league fan and player, but these comments are so wrong...
why would a big time union player go to league? theres more money, opportunities in Rugby atm.
players like gregan, matt burke, morlock were ALL offered league contracts but turned them down... even today junior development Union players are still big targets for league..
the reason no big name players jump ship to League is 1. The money is better in Rugby Union and 2. The international Game is bigger in Union.
And i HATE to say this!
- Posted by: leaguediehard on March 11, 2009 6:26 PM
Getoverit's comments might have some validity if the last Rugby League World Cup was won by Australia (although I doubt it).
As it was, New Zealand won in a massive upset to be the 3rd winner of the RLWC.
Sounds one sided to me...
Nice argument.
- Posted by: Miguel Sanchez on March 11, 2009 1:20 PM
@Getoverit
How can you possibly say that the Wallabies "dominated" world rugby when between 1980 and 2000 they won less than 40% of Beldisloe Cup Matches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bledisloe_Cup). They couldn't even dominate their closest neighbor during that time let alone the world! The Wallabies are doing badly because their a mediocre team, and Australians Rugby fans accept mediocrity more than fans of an other sport. the lack of success in Super 12/14 proves this. Anyway, the only people that consider Rugby a world game are Rugby fans. Its played in less than 10% of the countries that Soccer is played in. The fact that Romania and Georgia can make Rugby World Cups proves this. To everyone else in the world claiming that either code of Rugby is a world game is just a joke!
- Posted by: RahRah on March 11, 2009 11:43 AM
Isn't it ironic that since the influx of league players into the ranks of the Wallabies they no longer dominate the world union curcuit as was the case in the 80's and 90's.Personally, I think a one sided competition, as is the case in international league (what a joke)is very predictable ....much like the league game itself.
- Posted by: Getoverit on March 10, 2009 11:11 AM
I hate to rain on your SBW hating parade, but that guy was the heart of the Bulldogs last year, which is why it was so devastating for them when he quit the team. I have no respect for him, given the way he left, but I am able to put that aside and see how good he was. In the 11 games he played, the dogs won 4 and lost 7, while being outscored 286-252, which wasn't very good. But in the 13 games he didn't play, they won 1 and lost 12 and were outscored 500-181. He also played 80 minutes in 9 of the 11 games he played. The way he left the team was terrible, and I hope he fails miserably in rugby, but there is no denying he was far and away the best player in the Bulldogs lineup, and one of the best players in the game.
- Posted by: Brad on March 10, 2009 7:06 AM
Go on then "diehard" (I bet) - name 10 players from pure union backgrounds courted by rugby league in the last 10 years?
And provide details of who allegedly approached and a bit of evidence re- the approaches.
Then have a look at say the Wigan teams of the mid-1990s and how about 15 of the squad have been used by union since.
Name one player from Bath in the mid-1990s now at a rugby league club?
Rugby league has as much money as union, other than where the salary cap restricts it - in the NRL for example. English Super League can match any union contracts (as an example).
No-one from rugby league is interested in a union coach. Vice versa names like Hanley, Lydon, Edwards, Johns spring to mind.
Actual facts show union's global span is in fact very weak and limited to 8 countries or so. In many like Australia, it is nowhere near the major sport either.
Sorry, there is a reason the drain goes one way - talent.
One sport has been professional for over 100 years, the other is playing serious catch-up as quick as it can (ie. by copying RL).
- Posted by: Miguel Sanchez on March 9, 2009 2:57 PM
Can i just say that apart from the players mentioned above, It took Inga the winger 12 months to make the Wigan RL side and he was world rated in Union, AND never made the NZ national team, yet Istian Harris went to union and after half a doz games played international RU for Wales, and iv not even started to mention the Union players that went back to Union better players after there time in League, IE, Bentley,Young,etc So take the biggets out of union and ud have a sunday morning kick about comp, its just Union money that has the upper hand on League which can buy more spin doctors to convince joe public that Union is a better game, Just as well League supporters as not as stupid as some of the union P BRAINS.
- Posted by: David Walshe. on March 8, 2009 10:11 PM
Im a league fan and player, but these comments are so wrong...
why would a big time union player go to league? theres more money, opportunities in Rugby atm.
players like gregan, matt burke, morlock were ALL offered league contracts but turned them down... even today junior development Union players are still big targets for league..
the reason no big name players jump ship to League is 1. The money is better in Rugby Union and 2. The international Game is bigger in Union.
And i HATE to say this!
- Posted by: diehardleague on March 8, 2009 4:55 AM
The fact no pure (ie. non-RL background) union players or coaches are courted by rugby league speaks absolute volumes.
The intellectual property has been flowing out of rugby league into union for years now.
There is no demand for union knowledge in rugby league at all.
- Posted by: Miguel Sanchez on March 6, 2009 4:48 PM
this side would get beaten by 50 points by the NRL wooden spooners.
Rugy Union a world game. What a joke! Get a grip, mate.
- Posted by: stew on March 6, 2009 11:32 AM
Clinton Schifcofske - believe this guy was a Union player originally... he is/was a good player in both code and was a loss to League.
Lote Tuqiri - was a good player, still hasn't lived up to the hype in Union, but is improving. He was a loss.
Mark Gasnier - Over rated, great step, poor defender (yes he could make tackles but you needed an International defender outside of him to pick up all his bad reads) and had no pass. Not to mention injury time, he owed his club and walked out. Grub, good riddance.
Ryan Cross - decent League player, think he was originally Union, is doing well in Union. Good on him.
Timana Tahu - is a great athlete, still finding his feet in Union, loss to League, coup for Union if he can work the game out
Berrick Barnes - didn't do a great deal in League, think he was always a Union player, is doing well there. No loss to league, good luck to him.
Craig Gower - great League player, off the field a grub. Dunno how he is going in Union, don't care, shame we lost his talent, but I don't mind seeing the deadsh*ts leave.
Sonny Bill Williams - GRUB. Great shoulder hit, hard to tackle, but did not give Bulldogs their moneys worth, not to mention walking out mid season. Good riddance (see Gower).
Rocky Elsom - same as Barnes.
Brad Thorn - not a bad League player but always has been a Union boy.
End of the day, none of these guys are the game League, even the players who were good League players did not have the package. (well Taho and Tuqiri would have been nice to keep, as well as Schifcofske), but again, Tuqiri has been not saint off the field.
You just have to feel for the clubs left in the lurch like the Dogs or Saints, wasted money on pay cheque players.
- Posted by: mike d on March 6, 2009 11:29 AM
Rugby, you are kidding aren't you? League has far more talent in its ranks than Union. The fact that reserve grade League players can make the Wallabies side (Elsom) is testament to that.
As for League being boring because they kick after 5 tackles, you must be having a lend because Union kick it after 1 for god sake.
- Posted by: Daniel C on March 5, 2009 2:42 PM
The performance managers in union obviously saw something in these guys, because now they are far beyond leaguies in terms of fitness and skill. Palu is massive and if you watch him run, you can see that he is better than basically all league players at the moment, who all seem to run at half pace straight upright and allow themselves to be tackled five times before handing the ball to the other team and doing it again. BORING.
- Posted by: Rugby on March 3, 2009 5:07 PM
Good side, throw in Yenji Marshall and Luke Rooney to give you 15 players and they could play League on Saturdays and Union on Sundays!!!!
- Posted by: King Gee on February 21, 2009 11:12 PM
andrew stewart, what are you talking about? Can you compare rugby with the NRL? Any semi respectable NRL player that jumps ship seems to go straight into the Wallaby squad, even guys that have never played origin. How many Wallabies players would get selected in origin or the Kangaroos, if they played NRL? The ARU are lucky they have league talent to rely on!
- Posted by: rodj on February 21, 2009 8:25 PM
In reply to that guy talking up this team: Thats if Sonny isnt suspended or hurt. Theres a forward listed at number 10 in this team that is 100 times better than sonny is. And has already dominated the all blacks, which sonny will struggle to do/if do at all.
Better Centre? Hodges, Inglis(Did watch State of Origin right?).
And a better winger than tuqiri? thats a joke isnt it?
- Posted by: azza on February 21, 2009 5:10 PM
a better centre than gasnier??
- Inglis
name a better winger than tuqiri??
- Folau
name a better forward than sonny bill??
- Barry playing park footy in Darwin (when he isn't injured or in a PUBlic toilet).
Half those guys werent worth sh1t in the NRL. Brad Thorn? Puh-lease.
- Posted by: Alex on February 21, 2009 2:46 PM
This side would get lapped by 50 points after a stint in yawnion.
They would spend to much time argueing who is going to kick in general play.
Kick-n-clap is crap.
- Posted by: robbo on February 21, 2009 2:02 PM
While the backline's not bad the forward pack would be their downfall, only $BW has the current impact of any of the players, Thorn is getting a little long in the tooth while Palu & Elsom were only on the reserves bench for the lower grades, McLinden's best days are behind and he was in the backline in the NRL not hooker, while Hape never set the League world alight in either the NRL or ESL.
- Posted by: Leigh on February 21, 2009 8:11 AM
I can't believe some of the names this two bit code tries to claim as their own, it's pathetic.
- Posted by: Cam on February 21, 2009 1:53 AM
Lets see, 5 of them played Union as school boys and 2 were Aust school boys (Union). They only have a limited time to make good money so they grab the opportunity to play a world game and get paid for it. Get over the tribal rot and appreciate these players for what they are, something what we will never be.
- Posted by: Winston on February 20, 2009 11:14 PM
In their hey day? Yeah would be a tough side to compete againt.
I'd say that they would do ok, middle of the table, but prob not the top 8 in the first season.
BJ, your kidding yourself, that these players would get beaten by A grade or first grade team. These are professional players and past players at that. I bet you were singing their praises when they played in the NRL?
- Posted by: el capitan on February 20, 2009 5:46 PM
they wouldn't fit under the salary cap... so i reckon they would do pretty good.
- Posted by: Tom on February 20, 2009 3:46 PM
You guys have been smokin crack this team would give plenty of teams a good run for their money.
- Posted by: Evo on February 20, 2009 2:21 PM
they would smash any nrl side hands down, name a better forward than sonny bill?? a better centre than gasnier?? name a better winger than tuqiri, u hardcore league fans are as pathetic as ur pathetic game that is in tatters at the moment, the players are boring, i cant remember the last time i saw a hit in this supposed game for hard men and i watch every game, this team would flog any NRL side enough said
- Posted by: andrew stewart on February 20, 2009 1:28 PM
BJ do you even know what you're talking about? As much as I hate players switching codes, I think you're just all hot air. Gasnier and Williams were still in league last year, Thorn made a respectable come back, and Tahu, Cross, and Gower are probably still better 70% of the currently NRL players running around in their respective positions.
I think it's the NRL to blame, not the players. If you worked at CBA would you not go to Westpac if they offered you twice the money with better progression and less stress?
- Posted by: JL on February 20, 2009 1:03 PM
They'd romp it in. You can't afford to put that kind of talent together in the NRL anymore.
Elsom outperformed SBW in his last year of rugby league at the Bulldogs.
- Posted by: Alan on February 20, 2009 10:41 AM
just try and fit that bunch of money hungry whingers under a salary cap!
- Posted by: rodj on February 20, 2009 10:36 AM
Palu, last sighted in the 'NRL' on the bench for Saints - in reserve grade.
Union can keep that lot.
- Posted by: Roberto on February 20, 2009 9:31 AM
Typical responses that show ignorance from keeping the blinkers on. If you actually read you will notice that the Leaguies that go to Union find it hard to grasp due to the increased skill levels and running lines. I dare say that once you've run into the teeth of a Union forward pack or been on the bottom of a ruck you wouldn't be saying it has no ticker.
BTW - I'm a Leaguie, i have just taken my blinkers off and appreciate that Rugby is a bloody hard game with different skill sets.
- Posted by: Eddas on February 20, 2009 9:10 AM
They could beat my team but would struggle against a decent team
- Posted by: russel crowe on February 20, 2009 8:43 AM
Thats a decent team! With a full off season they'd give the premiership a good crack
- Posted by: Josh Connal on February 20, 2009 8:06 AM
I think even the bottom NRL team would flog these has-beens, they all left League (apart from Elsom who did nothing in league) for the easy life in Rugby and wouldn't have the ticker to take on a battle hardened A Grade side let alone a first grade team.
- Posted by: BJ on February 20, 2009 7:54 AM
Pretty good backline
Average forwards
I would predict that they would finish the NRL somewhere between 10th and 14th place
- Posted by: bazza on February 20, 2009 1:28 AM
James D said I was wrong so it must be true...ha ha ha.
Great arguments these "intellectual" union types throw up.
Mercy!
When you can deal with the FACTS, then you can bother typing again.