Cashed up French Rugby Union clubs will decimate the NRL if there obsession with throwing money at players continues. Especially as there is no salary cap there.Sonny Bill Williams stunned Bulldogs officials yesterday when he flew to France to explore a two-year, $3 million offer to join a French club, believed to be Toulon. The Kiwi superstar was spotted at the airport yesterday and fled without a word to Bulldogs management
Further raids are expected, with Greg Inglis, Israel Folau and Johnathan Thurston all said to be in the sights of French agents.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4632864a10713.html
The Australian response is typical, brutal and forthright.
"Congratulations Mr. Gallop
Two of our biggest names departing to play rugby within a couple of weeks.
You must be so proud of your 'talent equalisation' policy.
The general standard of the NRL is now mediocre at best, but at least your salary cap rules have maintained an even level of mediocrity acoss the competition. I'm glad you are excited by such an evenly contested sub-standard competition. Of course there will always be another Lote Tuqiri, Sonny Bill Williams, Mark Gasnier...
Yeah right!
Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but I always thought that a salary cap was meant to prevent clubs spending above their means. By using the salary cap as a means to 'level out' the competition you have single handedly rolled out a huge welcome mat for our best players to join Rugby Union and English Super League.
Maybe there are other issues with SBW, but you can't hide from reality much longer... the salary cap in it's present form is f*cking the game big time."
Hugh
As A Bulldog supporter I am totally shocked at the latest revelations regarding Sonny Bill Williams. Hearing the guy speak out on certain issues regarding other players is an absolute farce by what he has done in comparison if the news is right. All the trouble seemed to begin when he ditched his manager Gavin Orr for Khoder Nasser. Sonny Bill should have his own mind and stop listening to his hangers on who are telling him how much his worth. See out your contract or sit out for the remaining 4 years. It was said that he did not even inform the hierarchy of the club. I'd say thats a low act and down right gutless.
Jason
