8 replies to this topic

[G Las D]

Definite:

Sam Burgess (Souths)
Luke Burgess (Souths)
Tom Burgess (Souths)
George Burgess (Souths)
James Graham (Bulldogs)
Jack Reed (Broncos)
Gareth Widdop (Storm)
Scott Moore (Cowboys)

Possible:

Gareth Hock (Eels?)

Good experience for them and good for their aussie clubs.

[philipw]

McManus (Newcastle)

[Southstander13]

Chris Heighington too.

Will be interesting to see how Scott Moore goes, and Hock too if he signs for the Eels.

Given the salary differences its clear this is only the start of players moving over to the NRL.

[G Las D]

Yes, upping the salary cap in Oz and the positive experiences that recent Brits playing in Oz have had means the number moving to play down under is likely to grow.
I suspect that the same circumstances may now mean it's less atrractive for aussie players to move to Super league.

[Hullfan]

Must be refreshing for the aussie fans seeing our best players going over there, and at there peak years of playing the game . I just wish the Aussies and kiwis would come here at similar age instead of last few years of there career just for a payday shame really

[jackknife]

Wigans rookie full back Matty Russell has signed for gold coast if im not mistaken

[G Las D]

Well spotted JK

Found this:


THE Gold Coast Titans have signed young English fullback Matthew Russell.
Wigan youngster Russell will join the club on a two-year deal as he chases an opportunity in the NRL.
.
Russell, 19, is still eligible to play in the under-20 Toyota Cup next year but the club could yet decide to align him with an Intrust Super Cup feeder team.
He has been stuck behind Test fullback Sam Tomkins at the Warriors. Tomkins yesterday collected the English Super League's Man of Steel award as the player of the year.

Titans football manager Scott Clark confirmed the Russell signing. He said the highly-rated teenager was keen to get a taste of Australian RL.
"He's a young talent from England who's looking for an opportunity over here in Australia," he said.
"He's still under-20s age (next year) but we're not sure if he'll play in the NYC, Queensland Cup or push for a first grade spot.

[Bourbon Rat]

I'd hate to see young Matt get thrown in the deep end !!
Hopefully he'll get a look in during the pre season trials.Followed by at least half a season with the U20's before thowing him into the evil world of QLD Cup or the take no prisoners world of 1st grade

[G Las D]

That makes sense, and it sounds like that's what is intended.
Still as we found here with Zak Hardaker the plan can alter and timescales can be changed if the youngster performs really well.