Time for league to pick the eyes out of vulnerable rival code, says Ben Elias

[travelling_gerry]

Time for league to pick the eyes out of vulnerable rival code, says Ben Elias

• Brent Read and Bret Harris
• From: The Australian
• August 20, 2010 12:00AM

THE NRL and its clubs have been urged to launch a Super League-style attack on rugby union while the rival code is at its most vulnerable.



With Wallabies star Quade Cooper still considering his future amid an approach from Parramatta, and the NRL expected to receive a significant cash injection via its next television deal (up to $1 billion), two of rugby league's greats yesterday encouraged the game to direct some of that money towards rugby union's best.


"The ARU is very vulnerable at the moment, absolutely vulnerable," former Balmain and NSW captain Ben Elias said.


"If they're fair dinkum, what they could do is a Super League on the ARU. They don't have to buy too many players. The NRL could do it on its ear.


"If the game of rugby league wanted to be ruthless, they could stand on union's throat and cherry-pick their best players. Tactically I would, behind the scenes, be very cleverly accumulating.


"Make a statement."


Dual international Ray Price added: "I agree with that. They pilfered our blokes. Dog eat dog."


Of the current Wallabies, only a handful would be in the sights of NRL clubs. Cooper is at the top of a list which includes former Brisbane Bronco Berrick Barnes, Waratahs centre Rob Horne and Queensland outside back Digby Ioane.
Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan has been a long-time admirer of Horne and Ioane and believes both would be league stars.


"Horne is an absolutely natural league player," O'Sullivan said.


"He's tough, aggressive and a good defender. He would be an ideal league centre."
As for Ioane, O'Sullivan attempted to lure the Reds winger to the Melbourne Storm on more than one occasion.


"Rugby union players would be the exception rather than the norm. You would pick the eyes out of them."


Elias claimed union was heading down a dangerous path if it was using the World Cup to convince players to stay.


"They're not going to get the money like we are," Elias said.
"It only seems to be going one way at the moment. If they're putting their hopes and heart on the World Cup, well please."


At the same time, the ARU is tightening its belt.
While revenue from sponsorship and gate-takings have decreased, the ARU has to honour existing contracts, which means the national union is effectively spending several million dollars more on salaries than it budgeted for.


The ARU is expected to address the issue when the collective bargaining agreement is re-negotiated with the players union, but if it results in lower salaries, it would make rugby more vulnerable to a raid.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225907488177

[beige]

Dual international Ray Price added: "I agree with that. They pilfered our blokes. Dog eat dog."

Hah! That's rich coming from him.

[shasta]

Hah! That's rich coming from him.

How so?

[beige]

Do you really need me to explain the irony in that statement?

[shasta]

Well yeah, no. I know his history fairly well and I get the point.

But these days Ray Price, who incidently was still playing the game they play in heaven until last weekend when he retired (again), is on the board of the Eels. So he's got to look at things from that view.

But I'll bet he's just another Sydney boy who grew up enjoying both games equally.