The NRL appears set to give a green light to salary cap exemptions for players recruited from rival codes, a move that would deal a major blow to Rugby Australia.
The NRL’s barbaric moves threaten to destroy its supposed rivals, rugby union. Rugby union already has a troubled code, one that has been knee-jerk in Australia for years.
This century has seen NRL stars poached by RA, the latest being Joseph Suaalii, but the 20-year-old has already vowed to return to the Roosters at the end of his $5 million contract.
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NRL stars Roger Tuivasa-Shek, Israel Folau, Benji Marshall, Matt Rodgers, Lote Tuquiri, Wendell Saylor and Brad Thorn have all switched codes to the 15-a-side game.
But things could change dramatically with NRL clubs already lining up to exploit a loophole in the proposed salary cap.
Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase faces the Roosters this week and Max Jorgensen is another player with cross-code switching skills.
NRL clubs have welcomed the idea, with Sea Eagles veteran Aaron Woods believing cap exemptions should only be granted to clubs in the bottom eight to level the playing field.
“If you wanted to wipe out rugby union, I think you could do it in a few years,” rugby league great Benny Elias told foxsports.com.au.
“Rugby is on its knees now. If you could pick any fruit of rugby, why wouldn’t you choose rugby? “I think it’s a really good idea.”
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed an exemption was being considered but said clubs could only pull “one or two players” out of the competition code.
“Will salary cap relief be potentially used? Yes, we want the best players playing for us,” Abdo said.
“It will be delicate and ensure that every club has an equal opportunity to have one or two talented players they could potentially bring in from other codes around the world.
“Growth is our agenda so our primary focus is developing rugby league talent through our own pathways, but we are also open to attracting (other athletes) and potentially returning to the league from other codes.”
Eels chief executive officer Mark O’Neill has backed a move he said would help neutralise rugby’s attacking ‘threat’ to NRL talent.
“We have an attractive game. Ensuring our game remains as strong as possible is something worth exploring,” O’Neill said.
“I think it’s definitely a threat and we have to consider it accordingly. There’s a threat level that comes with that. The current threat level may be low because the Suaalii are gone and no one seems to be following, but that changes over time and the threat increases. I will do it.
“I support all innovative methods and ideas that improve the scenario for NRL clubs.”
Super Rugby attendances have been declining for years and Australian rugby is at its lowest ebb following the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup campaign.
The opportunity for players to get a pay rise and play in packed stadiums is likely to attract the attention of many rugby stars.
Here at foxsports.com.au, we’ve compiled a list of 15 rugby union players who have the skills needed to make a successful move to the NRL.
Mark Nawakanitawase
age: 23
location: Wing, Fullback
Current Club: NSW Waratahs
NRL Comparison: Israel Sailing
Nawakanitawase grew up playing rugby league in Sydney before switching to the union, and it won’t be easy to keep the 192cm speedy player out of the NRL.
Nawakanitawase made his Test debut last year and the Waratahs winger was one of the Wallabies’ best players at the World Cup.
Max Jorgensen
age: 19
location: Wing, Fullback
Current Club: NSW Waratahs
NRL comparison: Dylan Edwards
The son of former Roosters and Penrith winger Peter Jorgensen was selected in the Wallabies’ training squad this year but missed the World Cup due to injury.
The 19-year-old attracted interest from the Roosters and Bulldogs before signing a two-year contract with Rugby Australia until the end of 2024.
Isaac Lucas
age: 24
location: Center, Wing, Fullback
Current Club: Rico Black Rams (Japan)
NRL comparison: Reece Walsh
Lucas comes from one of Australia’s most talented footballing families, with all four sons playing professionally as rugby players.
Lucas was set to make his Wallabies debut at the age of 21 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to leave Queensland Reds to play in Japan, making him unavailable for international selection.
mac hansen
age: 25
location: wing, fullback
Current Club: Connacht, Ireland
NRL comparison: Ruben Garrick
After developing into five-eighths for the Brumbies, Hanson struggled to secure a starting spot before moving to Irish rugby where he enjoyed great success.
Hanson joined Connaught and proved himself as a winger, making his test debut for Ireland less than 12 months later.
Andrew Kellaway
age: 28
location: Center, wing, fullback
Current Club: Melbourne Rebels
NRL comparison: James Tedesco
The late-bloomer is one of the most exciting players in Australian rugby, having donned the Wallabies fullback jersey in recent years.
Kellaway scored the second most tries (nine) in his debut season for the Wallabies and was named Rugby Australia’s 2021 Rookie of the Year.
Isaiah Perez
age: 26
location: wing, center
Current Clubs: NSW Waratahs
NRL Comparison: Nick Cotrick
Perese grew up playing rugby league in Brisbane before earning a rugby scholarship to Anglican Church Grammar school alongside Kalyn Ponga.
Perez began his professional football career with the Queensland Reds before joining the Broncos, making two NRL appearances in 2019 before returning to rugby.
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Bunibalu Suliasi
age: 27
location: wing
Current Clubs: Melbourne Levels
NRL comparison: himself
Vunivalu was a goalscoring machine for the Melbourne Storm between 2016 and 2020, making 86 crosses in 111 appearances before switching codes in 2021.
Vunivalu has struggled to match those heights in Super Rugby, scoring 14 tries in 27 games for the Reds, but has played seven games for the Wallabies in 2022.
Len Ikitau
age: 25
location: center
Current Club: ACT Brumbies
NRL Comparison: My house stags
The heartbreaking defensive gun center has already played 29 tests for the Wallabies and could certainly leave his mark in the NRL.
Ikitau missed his first World Cup appearance of the year after suffering a fractured scapula in a match against Argentina on the eve of the tournament.
Petaia, Jordan
age: 23
location: Center, Wing, Fullback
Current Clubs: Queensland Reds
NRL Comparison: Joy Manu
Petaia was the first player born in the 2000s to play for the Wallabies, making 27 Test appearances.
Petaia could become a star center in the NRL and, over time, develop into a truly dangerous ball-playing full-back.
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Tom Wright
age: 26
location: wing, fullback
Current Clubs: ACT Brumbys
NRL Comparison: himself
Wright grew up playing rugby league in Sydney and made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles in 2018, playing five games.
Wright made the switch to rugby in 2019, joining the Brumbies where he shined, making 23 Test appearances for the Wallabies.
Hunter Paisami
age: 25
location: center
Current Club: Queensland Reds
NRL Comparison: Justin Olam
Paisami is a dangerous ball-runner but his most important skill is defence and he can produce hilarious highlights in the NRL.
Paisami has made 24 appearances for the Wallabies since 2020, but has missed this year’s World Cup due to injury.
tom banks
age: 29
location: wing, fullback
Current Club: ACT Brumbys
NRL Comparison: Scott Drinkwater
Banks has great speed and has made 87 Super Rugby appearances for the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies.
Banks has played 18 Test matches for the Wallabies since 2018 but has fallen down the pecking order in recent years.
jock campbell
age: 28
location: wing, fullback
Current Clubs: Queensland Reds
NRL comparison: Scharnze Nicole-Klokstad
The powerful outback has played 63 games for the Queensland Reds since making his Super Rugby debut in 2019.
Campbell earned Wallabies selection in 2022 and has four Tests to his name, but was left out of this year’s World Cup selection.
Rob Ballettini
age: 27
location: Back row
SeedCurrent Club: ACT Brumbys
NRL comparison: David Pipita
At 193cm tall and 113kg, the massive backrower is a dangerous ball-runner who would rock the NRL.
Valetini made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2018 and is now one of the first players to be selected for the Wallabies after playing 39 Tests.
Daniel Tupou
age: 27
location: front row
Current Club: Queensland Reds
NRL comparison: Lindsay Collins
The man dubbed ‘Tonga Thor’ will have to shed a significant amount of weight at 135kg, but Tufour has the skills to be a ball-handling front-rower in the NRL.
Tupou joined the Melbourne Rebels after playing 88 games for the Queensland Reds and also played 51 Tests for the Wallabies.
