33 replies to this topic

[Futtocks]

Joey Johns and Brad Fittler are in Fiji, looking for Rugby League talent.

LINK TO ARTICLE

I hope it's just for the NRL and not for the Kangaroos.

[thirteenthman]

This article has a bit more of an explanation from Fittler and Johns:-

http://www.news.com....l-1226504538033

Not surprising to read that they suggested this to the powers that be who weren't interested.

[Futtocks]

This article has a bit more of an explanation from Fittler and Johns:-

http://www.news.com....l-1226504538033

Not surprising to read that they suggested this to the powers that be who weren't interested.

Not surprising at all.

The bit about Konrad Hurrell suggests that Freddie's not thinking about Fiji only, which is encouraging.

[Railway End]

As someone who has been to Fiji it amazes me that the NRL scouts have not set up permanent camp there. I watched a couple of games of League and one Union and was impressed with the skill, athelitisism and enthusiasm of the locals.

In the resort I stayed at they showed an NRL match one day and all the staff crowded around a small set to watch. They told me that League was the preferred code in Fiji but most young lads played Union as the IRB have set up pathways for players to be linked to professional clubs. Apparantly nothing similar is in place for RL and young lads have to pretty much pay their own air fair to Australia and hope they get spotted. As Fiji is a relatively poor country very few are able or willing to do this.

With the massive new TV deal hopefully the ARLC will ring fence funds to develop the local leagues in not only Fiji, but Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and PNG. It can only help them and the international game in the long term.

[slowdive]

As someone who has been to Fiji it amazes me that the NRL scouts have not set up permanent camp there. I watched a couple of games of League and one Union and was impressed with the skill, athelitisism and enthusiasm of the locals.

In the resort I stayed at they showed an NRL match one day and all the staff crowded around a small set to watch. They told me that League was the preferred code in Fiji but most young lads played Union as the IRB have set up pathways for players to be linked to professional clubs. Apparantly nothing similar is in place for RL and young lads have to pretty much pay their own air fair to Australia and hope they get spotted. As Fiji is a relatively poor country very few are able or willing to do this.

With the massive new TV deal hopefully the ARLC will ring fence funds to develop the local leagues in not only Fiji, but Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and PNG. It can only help them and the international game in the long term.

I couldn't agree more. I doubt it will happen, but the potential to make massive inroads for relatively little expense is huge in all the places you mentioned. If the ARLC set aside a few million for each of those islands and set up proper links with NRL clubs, they could clean up most of the talent until other codes tried it as well.
I dont think they are that altruistic unfortunately.

[kioli]

I couldn't agree more. I doubt it will happen, but the potential to make massive inroads for relatively little expense is huge in all the places you mentioned. If the ARLC set aside a few million for each of those islands and set up proper links with NRL clubs, they could clean up most of the talent until other codes tried it as well.
I dont think they are that altruistic unfortunately.

The ARL has specifically said that their $200M growth fund will be used in the South Pacific.

All Fiji really needs is a RL Academy in Suva with NRL branding all over it and run by the ARL. Get AusAid to tip in some money, get stars to do clinics, play exhibition games or trials, etc.

Strangely the people talk about RL as if it's a new game. Despite this everyone has an NRL team and Origin side. Lots of potential, especially since RU is in such a mess over there that the players don't get paid (the RL players are paid)...

Ce message a été modifié par kioli - 07 novembre 2012 - 08:46 .

[Pacific RL]

As someone who has been to Fiji it amazes me that the NRL scouts have not set up permanent camp there. I watched a couple of games of League and one Union and was impressed with the skill, athelitisism and enthusiasm of the locals.

In the resort I stayed at they showed an NRL match one day and all the staff crowded around a small set to watch. They told me that League was the preferred code in Fiji but most young lads played Union as the IRB have set up pathways for players to be linked to professional clubs. Apparantly nothing similar is in place for RL and young lads have to pretty much pay their own air fair to Australia and hope they get spotted. As Fiji is a relatively poor country very few are able or willing to do this.

With the massive new TV deal hopefully the ARLC will ring fence funds to develop the local leagues in not only Fiji, but Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and PNG. It can only help them and the international game in the long term.

Are you sure about that?

Ce message a été modifié par Pacific RL - 01 décembre 2012 - 03:41 .

[Pacific RL]

The ARL has specifically said that their $200M growth fund will be used in the South Pacific.

All Fiji really needs is a RL Academy in Suva with NRL branding all over it and run by the ARL. Get AusAid to tip in some money, get stars to do clinics, play exhibition games or trials, etc.

Strangely the people talk about RL as if it's a new game. Despite this everyone has an NRL team and Origin side. Lots of potential, especially since RU is in such a mess over there that the players don't get paid (the RL players are paid)...

Thats is not the case here in Fiji. Its very much amateur at all level.

[Futtocks]

One to watch next season? - "He's like T-Rex [Canterbury's Tony Williams] but he's faster"

Ce message a été modifié par Futtocks - 03 décembre 2012 - 01:02 .

[Pacific RL]

One to watch next season? - "He's like T-Rex [Canterbury's Tony Williams] but he's faster"

I can see his future already. Will represent Fiji at the 2013 RLWC then origin for NSW in 2014 and Australia in 2015.

Ce message a été modifié par Pacific RL - 03 décembre 2012 - 01:55 .

[Futtocks]

I can his future already. Will represent Fiji at the 2013 RLWC then origin for NSW in 2014 and Australia in 2015.

If only you were joking...

[hutch]

I can see his future already. Will represent Fiji at the 2013 RLWC then origin for NSW in 2014 and Australia in 2015.

Why would this happen?

[Futtocks]

Penrith sign Fijian hotel porter sight unseen on recommendation of Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns.

[deluded pom?]

Why would this happen?

Because it can happen?

[kier]

Because it can happen?

Not anymore. Now you have to be NSW/Qld resident before you are 13 years old. Potentially one of the biggest (and best) decisions to have been made in recent years.

[deluded pom?]

Not anymore. Now you have to be NSW/Qld resident before you are 13 years old. Potentially one of the biggest (and best) decisions to have been made in recent years.

That's an Origin rule. Nothing to do with international rules. There's still nothing to stop Australia selecting the porter after three years in the NRL if they so desired.

[Futtocks]

Cronulla sign a Fijian speedster.

[Futtocks]

Penrith sign Fijian hotel porter sight unseen on recommendation of Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns.

More on this story - note the following: "Incredibly, Fittler and Johns were forced to foot all costs for their Fijian trip after the NRL showed "zero interest" in the project."

[Kelsey The Ram]

They told me that League was the preferred code

Are you sure that isn't Papua New Guinea you're talking about? Because according to Wikipedia (despite the fact the articles can actually be chopped and changed at any given time) said that league was the preferred code there

[kier]

That's an Origin rule. Nothing to do with international rules. There's still nothing to stop Australia selecting the porter after three years in the NRL if they so desired.

It's SOO that has been the baited hook for representing Australia (financially and in terms of profile). Now that it's gone I suspect many of the PI/NZ players in the NRL will be available for their country of birth/ancestry.