Bad start for new dual-registration system

[josie andrews]

The dual-registration system is quickly becoming a source of discontent among fans, and something needs to be done to change the way it works.

With the changes made to the structure under first-team level, over the close season a number of Super League clubs announced link-ups with Championship counterparts.

Last weekend, ahead of the first game of the new season, it was announced that seasoned Warrington prop Paul Wood, who just months earlier played in the Super League Grand Final, was to play for Swinton.

The Lions originally named nine players in their 19-man squad with connections to Wolves, only to later reveal that they had actually permanently signed several of them, which had apparently slipped under the radar and which bizarrely, they hadn't decided to announce - you would have thought the capture of some highly promising youngsters from a top Super League team would be an ideal PR opportunity. Or perhaps there's more to it.

This week, we have two further experienced forwards in Leeds pair Kylie Leuluai and Richard Moore dual-registered with Hunslet.

It now seems to be that clubs are abusing the dual-registration system to help get their players back to fitness, when it was supposed to be all about giving young players the opportunity, players that perhaps haven't quite made it by the age of 19, meaning that they would avoid being cast off when they reach that age.

Spare a thought too for clubs with ambitions of their own. While Leigh haven't been shy in using the old format of dual-registration in recent years, they now face the prospect of facing Hunslet with two Super League quality props in their pack, when in future weeks, their rivals like Featherstone and Halifax may face the Hawks' usual front-row.

The Grand Final winning half-back at Sheffield last season, Simon Brown, penned a surprise move to York, who finished bottom of the Championship in 2012.

Perhaps the extra funds for Brown stemmed from the knowledge that York could at least draft in a few extra players from their partner club, Hull, rather than have to use money on adding a few more of their own players to their 25-man squad.

That may be the cynical view, but there are some top end Championship coaches who are getting increasingly frustrated that, having built their own teams up over a couple of seasons in the right manner, they are now under threat by clubs who see their squads artificially improved by the addition of Super League first teamers at any given point.

Having a Paul Wood or a Kylie Leuluai for a few weeks, offers no long-term benefit for the receiving club. They are essentially being used as puppets in a glorified feeder system.

You can hardly criticise the academy structure at Leeds, which is world class and has been for several years. They have created a dynasty courtesy of their Super League titles, won by and large by homegrown teams. But there are now increasing questions as to whether the top clubs are abusing what was supposed to be a progressive system to their benefit.

The previous system of dual-registration meant that specific players were made available to other clubs, whereas it's now more flexible in that the players selected can be changed week in week out.

Perhaps a solution might be to limit the maximum age of players who can be sent out on dual-registration, to stop clubs sending out players for match fitness. The only problem with that, is that there is currently no way that the top clubs can return their players to match fitness, due to changes in eligibility below the first team.

What's becoming increasingly clear as the weeks pass, and we're only one and a half weeks in to the season, is that the current set-up is open to abuse. There is justification behind most, if not all, of the partnerships, but there may need to be tweaks to how it operates before the integrity of the Championship is adversely affected.

http://www.loverugbyleague.com/blogpost ... stem.html?

[Owd Codger]

International players should not be allowed to be dual regstered with a Championship club.

Making a mockery of the game.

[Pies for ever]

The Lions originally named nine players in their 19-man squad with connections to Wolves, only to later reveal that they had actually permanently signed several of them

Again more evidence of Super League clubs trying to save money.

This is exactly what Wigan wanted to do with 3 or 4 players who are now to old for the u19's but not in the first team squad. The plan was that they would sign for South Wales who would pay their wages, but they would be DR to Wigan so they could train with them during the week.

It didn't come off, South Wales rightly so, want to develop their own players.

These changes were obviously not thought through, players who are not in the first team squad by the time they reach 19/20 have no where to go, have in effect been written off, so will be lost to the game, and first team players who are coming back from injury will have no games to play in to test the injury and return to match fitness.

[josie andrews]

The Lions originally named nine players in their 19-man squad with connections to Wolves, only to later reveal that they had actually permanently signed several of them

Again more evidence of Super League clubs trying to save money.

This is exactly what Wigan wanted to do with 3 or 4 players who are now to old for the u19's but not in the first team squad. The plan was that they would sign for South Wales who would pay their wages, but they would be DR to Wigan so they could train with them during the week.

It didn't come off, South Wales rightly so, want to develop their own players.

These changes were obviously not thought through, players who are not in the first team squad by the time they reach 19/20 have no where to go, have in effect been written off, so will be lost to the game, and first team players who are coming back from injury will have no games to play in to test the injury and return to match fitness.

Brought all this up with John winder the U19's coach. It has been thought up by the RFL & been approved by the SL clubs :conf:

[josie andrews]

Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai will not be allowed to take dual-registration with Hunslet

Leeds Rhinos have been refused permission to loan Kylie Leuluai to neighbours Hunslet due to the terms of his visa.

The Rhinos have a partnership with the Hawks in which players not currently playing in the senior squad can be dual registered with the Championship club.

Leuluai and fellow front rower Richard Moore were due to turn out for Hunslet against Leigh on Sunday but the RFL say that, under the terms of his visa, Samoan Leuluai is unable to be dual registered.

The ruling, which only affects overseas players, is likely to have a major impact across rugby league, with the Super League's U20s competition, which was used to keep fringe players active, scrapped as a cost-cutting measure.

A League spokesman said: "The RFL has recently lobbied the UK Border Agency for a change to the rules which prevent players on tier-two visas playing for a second club on a short-term arrangement.

"This follows on from changes to the Super League Academy structure, which from 2013 is an exclusively Under-19s competition, an arrangement that means open-age overseas tier-two visa players returning from injury cannot gain match fitness on short-term loans or dual registrations.

"Dialogue with the UKBA continues but the UKBA have confirmed that, until any change in circumstance is agreed, under existing provisions no player on a tier two visa can be dual registered."

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... 1/8479003?

[josie andrews]

Leeds Rhinos have been refused permission to loan Kylie Leuluai to neighbours Hunslet due to the terms of his visa.

At last, someone has had the nerve to question the (Leeds') so called bending of this rule. No loophole for them then!! :eusa2: :eusa2:

[josie andrews]

RFL statement on Kylie Leuluai

The RFL has been informed by the UK Border Agency that under the terms of his visa, Kylie Leuluai of Leeds Rhinos is unable to play for Hunslet Hawks as a dual-registered player.

The RFL has recently lobbied the UKBA for a change to the rules which prevent players on Tier 2 visas playing for a second club on a short-term arrangement. This follows on from changes to the Super League Academy structure, which from 2013 is an exclusively under-19s competition, an arrangement that means open-age overseas Tier 2 visa players returning from injury cannot gain match fitness on short-term loans or dual registrations.

Dialogue with the UKBA continues but the UKBA have confirmed that until any change in circumstance is agreed, under existing provisions no player on a Tier 2 visa can be dual registered.

http://www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/26 ... ie-leuluai

[DaveO]

If this is affecting Leeds then there is more chance of it being changed. Hethrington is the main man behind this and it's clear why he wanted it with the attempt to loan KL out.

If his club can't do as he wanted then maybe he ought to realise the new system is bonkers.

The only way this can work is if championship sides do indeed become true feeder clubs for SL sides. In effect what should happen is Leeds should simply take Hunslet over and Wigan Leigh( hah!). I am not being facetious here just pointing out the fact that you can't expect independent clubs with their own ambitions to bend to the whim's of Sl clubs who want to use them as a 2nd team.

[josie andrews]

If Leeds hadn't proposed the scrapping of the U21's down to U20's & then the U19's
Why didn't they just leave it alone in the first place??? There wouldn't be all the fuss that has now arisen from this stupid, stupid new academy system

[Kittwazzer]

It all comes down to money Josie. What Leeds can't afford, nobody else can have!