New quota rule allows Super League clubs to sign untapped pool of overseas players

[josie andrews]

A new ruling is set to be introduced which will allow clubs to easier tap into the New South Wales and Queensland Cup player market.

New rulings are set to be introduced which will increase opportunities for Super League clubs to sign younger overseas players. Rugby League Live can reveal the home office is set to approve proposals which will make it easier for clubs to sign talent from the New South Wales and Queensland Cup competitions moving forward.

It is believed that clubs will now be able to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) if a player 24 or under has played 75% of games in either competition in the active qualifying period. Previously it has been incredibly difficult for clubs to access that player pool as regulations have stated that players must have played at least 50% of NRL matches in the relative period or played a high percentage of international games. But the new rulings will allow clubs to search further afield for talent, with a large pool of players previously unattainable suddenly having a path to Super League opened up.

An example of a player who would be impacted by the new rulings is Ronald Volkman, the young New Zealand halfback who has just signed for St George Illawarra Dragons. A number of Super League clubs were thought to be keen on signing him but his lack of NRL appearances meant they were unable to secure a work permit. However, Volkman played 22 games in NSW Cup last year and that would help enable him to make the move under the new rulings. Tristan Sailor, another clubs have struggled to secure a GBE, would be another that would benefit from the new rulings having played 15 games in Queensland Cup last year.

The NRL have progressively increased their salary cap, which has widened the gulf between the spending power of the sport's two top competitions. It's expected that the new rulings will make overseas recruitment more affordable in the future while also enabling clubs to sign younger talent, rather than being forced to look at older players due to the regulations that have been in place.

Most clubs have now utilised their quota spots for the upcoming season so a raft of new talent isn't likely. However, these developments will allow clubs to cast their net wider when scouting overseas for future recruitment cycles.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... r-28387221

[Blackpool_Pie]

It's one thing implementing this rule, but I don't see this being too much of a good thing for English players or long term for English clubs. Giving young foreign players squad spots over English academy players will stunt homegrown players progress. If these young Aussies come over when they're young, and it works well, they would be snapped up by the nrl leaving English clubs short changed

[josie andrews]

It's one thing implementing this rule, but I don't see this being too much of a good thing for English players or long term for English clubs. Giving young foreign players squad spots over English academy players will stunt homegrown players progress. If these young Aussies come over when they're young, and it works well, they would be snapped up by the nrl leaving English clubs short changed

Correct.

[WarriorWinger]

It's one thing implementing this rule, but I don't see this being too much of a good thing for English players or long term for English clubs. Giving young foreign players squad spots over English academy players will stunt homegrown players progress. If these young Aussies come over when they're young, and it works well, they would be snapped up by the nrl leaving English clubs short changed

Correct.

The clubs could look at it as more of a dual reg scenario, however the likelyhood is that the player drain would only go one way and that is not to the english clubs, it could however be beneficial on both sides, who knows.

[Blackpool_Pie]

It's one thing implementing this rule, but I don't see this being too much of a good thing for English players or long term for English clubs. Giving young foreign players squad spots over English academy players will stunt homegrown players progress. If these young Aussies come over when they're young, and it works well, they would be snapped up by the nrl leaving English clubs short changed

Correct.

The clubs could look at it as more of a dual reg scenario, however the likelyhood is that the player drain would only go one way and that is not to the english clubs, it could however be beneficial on both sides, who knows.

I honestly don't see the benefit of nurturing their young players to either go back and play for them or not be good enough for the NRL so take up spots instead of young English players.

Before you point out French or Field, they are both massive exceptions to this. If you think we will unearth many more like these 2 who won't go back running to the NRL then you'll be sadly mistaken. The quota rule has been there for a reason. We managed to get 2 great players in those spots and they've flourished, but if every club brings in a few young Aussies at the expense of their own academy players, then it'll be a massive problem for our International team and a bit of a boost for them. We struggle to keep our own best players so what chance do we have keeping decent Aussies here if they do well?

[Mike]

Are the NRL going to enter a development side in SL?

[WarriorWinger]

Correct.

The clubs could look at it as more of a dual reg scenario, however the likelyhood is that the player drain would only go one way and that is not to the english clubs, it could however be beneficial on both sides, who knows.

I honestly don't see the benefit of nurturing their young players to either go back and play for them or not be good enough for the NRL so take up spots instead of young English players.

Before you point out French or Field, they are both massive exceptions to this. If you think we will unearth many more like these 2 who won't go back running to the NRL then you'll be sadly mistaken. The quota rule has been there for a reason. We managed to get 2 great players in those spots and they've flourished, but if every club brings in a few young Aussies at the expense of their own academy players, then it'll be a massive problem for our International team and a bit of a boost for them. We struggle to keep our own best players so what chance do we have keeping decent Aussies here if they do well?

I wasn't going to mention French or Field and was not saying it was particulary a good idea, more playing devils advocate.

On a dual reg system the english players would be still contracted to the club but would potentially have the opportunity to 'scratch an itch' early if they had NRL ambitions and it would help in their development, we would potentially get to witness some rising stars from over the pond.

Not all NRL clubs are on Bondi beach and frm what I understand, if you are not in a major city type area Aus can be quite boring, players may go over there and realise apart from the excepted rise in comp intensity, it is not all as it is craked up to be, better to get home sick before being an international star.

As I also said, I can realistically only see the player drain going one way but until you try something differnet, how do you know it won't work.