‘Be global superstars’: Why NRL players may consider code switch

As the code war between rugby union and the NRL continues to rage on in Australia, former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles has added more fuel to the fire with some recent comments.

Rugby Australia made a bold decision in January to sign legendary coach Eddie Jones ahead of this year’s World Cup in France – and the sport has been dominating headlines ever since.

Jones has been vocal about his desire to lure NRL superstars to the 15-player game, and also help the Wallabies return to their former glory.

Well, earlier this year, both Jones and Rugby Australia made a statement by signing Sydney Roosters flyer Joseph Suaalii to a lucrative deal.

Suaalii was widely considered to be one of the brightest up-and-coming players in rugby league, having been included in the New South Wales Origin squad last year as a teenager.

But the NRL’s loss is now rugby’s gain, and Suaalii might not be the last player to jump codes either.

Australian representatives Cameron Murray, Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas have all been linked with stunning moves to rugby union.

While the code war continues to dominate headlines in Australia, Stephen Hoiles has discussed what he believes to be a key difference between the sports.

“It’s only the select few that can put themselves in the position to be global superstars,” Hoiles told Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“Part of the attraction for Joseph Suaalii isn’t just the money, and it isn’t just about going and playing in these countries because the Rugby League World Cup is in the UK, they do some travelling – it’s being a huge name on the world stage.

“In Argentina, Joseph Suaalii will be known, In Japan, he’ll be known, In Africa, he’ll be known. That’s the difference.

“To the elite of the elite, there is that part of them that thinks ‘I can be a world-class Hall of Fame player.’ You can’t argue that against league.

“League, they can go and be the best player in the world and the Australians know them, the Kiwis know them, the islands might know them, and the UK might know them, but rugby have the ability for the elite of the elite to be world-class superstars.”

The NRL is reportedly considering a $1 million salary cap exemption so clubs can sign players from rugby union.

Earlier this week, Brisbane Broncos enforcer Payne Haas was linked with a move to rugby union.

According to a report, Rugby Australia have included Nathan Cleary in their list of “definite” targets.#NRL #SuperRugbyPacific #Wallabies #RugbyAustralia https://t.co/ZASL1UYdwH

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 22, 2023

Haas’ father Gregor has since discussed the rumours, saying his son would “seriously look” at a move to the 15-player game.

“Rugby is something Payne would seriously look at. Payne loves rugby league and the Broncos, but he has played rugby as a kid,” Gregor Haas told the Australian Daily Telegraph.

“People bag rugby in Australia but they don’t look at the bigger picture. The NRL is very small compared to rugby, which is a world game.”