Salary cap change to incentivise clubs to raid rugby union talent

There has been talk of rugby union coming to raid rugby league for talent ahead of their next World Cup.

But now rugby league are set to turn things on its head with the NRL bringing in salary cap exemptions to incentivise chasing rugby union players.

“We have been looking at bringing in salary cap exemptions for players from other countries for some time,” Peter V’landys said.

“It was about bringing in players from America and other nations. It would also apply to players from other sports. And, yes, other sports includes rugby.

“If a Wallaby or an All Black wanted to come over, we’d look at cap exemptions for sure. We have been looking at this for quite a while, and it’s a good time to revisit this. It’s something I’d like to see come in and come in now.”

There has been a real battle between the code since Rugby Australia swooped for Joseph Suaali’i and have been chasing others.

Super League already has rules in place like this as we last saw in the case of Kyle Eastmond’s move to Leeds Rhinos.

Only 50% of Eastmond’s wage was counted on Leeds’ cap in his first season and in his planned second campaign it was set to be only 75%.

Of course he retired before that could matter.