Rugby schoolboys signed up as NRL poachers plan raid on union

Rugby Australia’s talent pipeline is under threat from the NRL’s hungry clubs, but the 15-man code has made a massive move to stave off the cashed-up suitors.

Australia’s under-18s captain Thomas Robinson before the match between Australia U18s and New Zealand Barbarians. Picture: Getty Images

Rugby Australia has moved to stave off the NRL poaching their rising talent by securing 23 of the 26 players who defeated New Zealand under-18s rivals last weekend.

While rugby has lost superstar winger Heamasi Makasini to NRL club Wests Tigers, they’re retained the bulk of the squad that prevailed 38-31 in Hamilton – Australia’s first schoolboys win over the Kiwis since 2019.

RA’s director of high performance, Peter Horne, revealed that aside from Makasini, No.8 Heinz Lemoto (Penrith Panthers) and fullback Rex Bassingthwaighte (Sydney Roosters), all squad members have been retained in rugby until the end of next year.

Heamasi Makasini is destined for the NRL via the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

“Of the Australia under 18 squad that toured and defeated NZ Schools last weekend, 23 out of 26 players have committed to rugby for 2025,” Horne told this masthead.

“It’s normal to have some players with choice between codes and, while rugby may not be successful in all cases, the game is united and committed in engaging with these players and their families to present the game’s best offering and inform them of what they can expect from rugby.

“Importantly, rugby must continue to identify and include rugby-committed talent in formalised high-performance programs and contract opportunities and not spend disproportionate time on a few players with code choice despite the attention this typically brings.”

The news comes amid the NRL’s plans to raid the Wallabies and rugby’s younger generation through policies now being considered to give clubs salary cap relief to target code-hoppers.

“The rugby codes have coexisted for more than a century in Australia and players have moved between them since the beginning,” Horne said.

Australian under-18s captain Thomas Robinson. Picture: Getty Images

“That movement continues in both directions in the handful of positions where the skills and athleticism are more transferable. In recent years we’ve seen more young league players entering rugby school and junior club competitions and playing both codes.

Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne. Picture: Getty Images

“We understand that most of them will remain in league, but we think it’s a positive that they’re being exposed to rugby because some are opting to remain in our system.

“Australian rugby continues to increase investment in youth talent development across national pathways system and the Super Rugby Academies and age grade teams.

“Like other codes, we need to continue to enhance our systems to identify, attract, recruit and retain, develop and graduate talent at all levels of the game.”

Horne remains confident rugby can lure top talent with its unique offerings.

“As a global and very competitive game at professional club and international levels, we have a slightly different value proposition to other codes where the product and experience may be more localised,” he said.

“The opportunity and lure to play rugby on the biggest international stages at home and overseas such as British & Irish Lions tours, Rugby World Cups and annual Test match series against South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland and France to name just a few are pinnacle events that attract elite players, commercial partners and passionate fans around the world.”

Originally published as Rugby schoolboys signed up as NRL poachers plan raid on union