RL in Australia seems to be struggling at the moment from raids like this and the threat of Aussie Rules. The game in Australia hasnt got the money to increase the salary cap and loads of clubs are already complaining that they need more money to even survive. The Super League wars and the way that news corporation basically own the game and can get TV rights for far less than they are worth is holding the game back. Until this situation is sorted out and League can get the TV deal that it deserves, which should be at least comparable to AFL (Before the Super League wars it was always more but since as been far less) then they will not be able to become a nationwide game and fight Union raids like this, or the AFL for that matter. RL in Australia need a new TV deal and complete ownership of the game in Australia before things can improve.

It is not like Gasnier or SBW have gone to Union for the international game, which is what Union fans always claim that Union has over League. They will not be picked for their countries whilst playing in France. They have gone for huge money and there is very little that League can do in the short term. Even Union players from the Southern hemisphere and the British Isles are going to France, and abondoning the chance of playing for their countries, for the huge amounts of money on offer. The Rugby Union clubs in France are largely propped up by sugar daddies in charge of the clubs which are seen as prestige symbols, a little like premier league football here. Crowds in general are small and it is these sugar daddies that are funding these huge wages.

to bad u cant shoulder charge in boxing . he would be world champ

3 aussie's have been pick in rugby union babarians team vs wallaby's game in june . sonny''money bill''williams is 1 of them

I thought he was a Kiwi?

"hey bill, we'll give 50p to say your an ozzie"

We have an other sports forum to discuss other sports, including RU.