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Wallabies icon issues warning to NRL star eyeing cross-code switch

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Wallabies legend Matt Burke has issued a warning to NRL star Blake Ferguson over his potential cross-code move to rugby union.

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Ferguson is on the radar of the Western Force after finding himself on the outer at the Parramatta Eels with his contract nearing an end and injuries keeping him sidelined this season.

Western Force chief executive Tony Lewis confirmed the Perth-based franchise’s interest in Ferguson, who has enjoyed a glittering career in the 13-man code, last month.

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“We are very serious on the approach,” Lewis told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We believe Blake would be an exceptional rugby player. We think he is good enough to play international rugby.”

However, Burke has expressed concerns over such a move due to the fact that Ferguson has never played rugby union at a high level.

Although Ferguson has flourished in his rugby league career – where he has won an NRL Premiership, been capped seven times by Australia, nine times by New South Wales and seven times by the Indigenous All-Stars – he has never played rugby union professionally.

“Blake has got the size and skills that are transferable, but how is his passing and kicking going to go under pressure in the centres after mostly playing on the wing in league,” Burke, a World Cup winner who played 81 tests for the Wallabies, said, as per Fox Sports.

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“There is a reality that you are taking a risk with a guy like this, but I don’t want to say he shouldn’t follow a dream or continue playing. I’ve been there in that regard, knowing that once I finish, what am I going to do.

“I spent another four years in the UK after I’d finished up in Australia, although I had spent my whole career in rugby, but if the Force are offering a bunch of coin, of course you would take it up.

“He may adapt if he gets a start from what we’ve seen in the past. He is big, strong, he has played Origin, so he knows the best stage. He’ll just need to get himself a mentor to get him up the speed with the intricacies of the game.”

Burke added he believes Ferguson will get “a real shock to the system” as he tries to accustom himself to the nuances of rugby union, while he also called into question the Western Force’s intent behind their pursuit of the 31-year-old.

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“I think a disappointing aspect from the Western Force is that they are looking at a guy in his 30s at the back end, so why wouldn’t you recruit a couple of young blokes,” he said.

“So, from a recruiting point of view, I’d look at the Force and say, ‘guys, I’m sure there are some young guys coming through the system that would deserve a chance better than Blake Ferguson.

“You have to question the motives of what is going on there in that regard, and if he did get signed up, I think it would be one of those really head scratching moments.”

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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