Slugger McBatt wrote:
They need to head across to areas like Penrith. I watch a lot of NRL, and they are always banging on about the huge number of players in the pathways they have at clubs like Penrith. There must be some talented kids that are just not getting themselves noticed, who would fancy an overseas adventure. If you want me to quote someone who had to board a plane to get noticed, Henry Paul would be the first shout. And Robbie Paul. And Jacob Miller.
The rules have changed now, players from the Southern Hemisphere have to have played first grade NRL, have represented an first grade international side or have family heritage in the UK / France to be able to gain a visa to play in the Super League. If this rule had stood back in the day, players such as Henry Paul and Jason Demetriou et al, would not have been able to come across. It's a shame. Add that to the ever growing spectacle that is the NRL and their increasing salary cap, the quality from down under just isn't available anymore, unless they are young and really willing to take a chance like Croft, Hastings, Clifford etc - but even then, they are short term signings as their ideal destination is to play NRL again.
It's a tough position that our side of the game has found ourselves in.