Rugby union’s rugby league raid to hit next level as top coach now targeted

With a Rugby Union World Cup coming to Australia in 2027, the sport are trying to lure the best NRL stars to bolster Rugby Australia’s chances of success.

Now the raid is set to go into over drive as Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan made some big claims talking to 9news.

“This is how league treat their players. Joseph Suaali’i was the hottest star in league a month ago, now they don’t want him.

“If you’re an aspiring cross-code star remember this is the treatment you could get. I told league not to be punitive, and that’s exactly what they have done,” he said before saying they could move for former Super League coach Trent Robinson.

“Trent would do well as a rugby coach.

”I rate Trent, but I wonder how he can coach in an environment like that when there is such a ruthless attitude towards young players,” McLennan said.

This all comes after links from rugby union to Payne Haas and Nathan Cleary as well as a suggestion Suaali’i could leave the Sydney Roosters prematurely after agreeing a deal with Rugby Australia for the future.

This does all seem to have re-ignited the conflict between rugby league and rugby union.