Why rugby union missed out on a long list of league players

NRL stars including Cooper Cronk, Kalyn Ponga and Damien Cook all played Australian schoolboys rugby but the governing body was unable to keep them in the game.

Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was an Australian U/19 representative. Picture: AAP

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The Wallabies team on the plane to Japan for the Rugby World Cup could have included players who are now some of the NRL’s biggest names if rugby’s governing body didn’t miss the boat on the recruitment front.

A cast of NRL stars such as Cooper Cronk, Kalyn Ponga and Damien Cook all played Australian Schoolboys rugby union.

But instead of electing to don the Wallaby gold, Cronk, Ponga and Cook headed to the NRL.

And they’re not the only leaguies to knock back the 15-man code.

League Immortal Andrew Johns thought his move to rugby union in 2005 was a done deal.

The Newcastle Knights, NSW and Test playmaker told his manager he’d sign the contract, but the ARU pulled out at the 12th hour.

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Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita was a Brumbies development player. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Former NSW Waratahs coach Bob Dwyer was part of the negotiations with Johns.

“The ARU never offered a deal,” Dwyer told The Sunday Telegraph. “I was keen to offer a deal but the ARU weren’t interested.

“I had a vague idea that Australian rugby never wanted NSW to be too strong.”

The likes of NRL stars Luke Keary, Andrew Fifita, Tyson Frizell, Angus Crichton and Cameron Murray all played rugby.

Sharks, Tongan and former Australian and NSW prop Fifita was an ACT Brumbies development player but he left to chase the NRL.

Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was an Australian U/19 representative. Picture: AAP

Crichton and Murray starred in the Australian Schoolboys rugby union ranks and South Sydney and NSW hooker Damien Cook also played Australian Schoolboys rugby in 2009.

Cook was a winger in those days but his speed and smarts would have been hugely effective in the 15-man code — as Friday night’s extraordinary try-saving tackle on Broncos winger Corey Oates showed.

It begs the question why has rugby missed out on so many league players who excelled in their sport as juniors?

Dwyer believes the money NRL clubs can offer has played a significant role but others factors have also come into play.

South Sydney livewire Damien Cook played Australian Schoolboys in 2009. Picture: Brett Costello

Rugby league’s dominant standing on the national domestic stage has encouraged a lot of rising footballers to select the 13-man code as their career path.

The NRL’s opportunity to play State of Origin – the biggest concept on Australian soil – has also impacted players’ decisions to join league over rugby.

The Wallabies’ lack of success, especially against the all-conquering All Blacks, is also a reason.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns was ready to switch to rugby.

But at what point do we also query rugby’s recruitment, talent identification and ability to retain promising talent?

It’s a question many rugby fans are asking as they come to terms with a national team that is desperately trying to rediscover the successful years of David Campese, Matt Burke and John Eales.

Our hybrid World Cup XV:

1. Scott Sio (Wallabies)

2. Tolo Latu (Wallabies)

3. Allan Alaalatoa (Wallabies)

4. Rory Arnold (Wallabies)

5. Will Skelton (Wallabies)

6. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Australia U19 rep, junior club listed as North Sydney rugby

7. Michael Hooper (Wallabies best forward)

8. Andrew Fifita (NSW Country rep in juniors and Brumbies development player)

9. Nic White (Wallabies)

10. Cooper Cronk/Luke Keary (Australian Schoolboys 2000/Australian Schoolboys 2010)

11. Marika Koroibete (Wallabies and former Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers)

12. Tyson Frizell (Australian Schoolboys 2009)

13. Samu Kerevi (Wallabies)

14. Damien Cook (2009 Australian Schoolboys A winger)

15. Kalyn Ponga (Churchie rugby union in Brisbane)

Notable others:

Angus Crichton (centre/flanker/second row for Australian Schoolboys A Team in 2013)

Tepai Moeroa (centre/flanker for Australian Schoolboys in 2012/2013)

Taane Milne (centre for Australian Schoolboys A Team in 2012)

Will Chambers (Played centre for the Reds in Super Rugby in 2010-11)

Jordan Rapana (Kiwi but was a squad member for the Western Force on the wing in 2012)

Cameron Murray (Captain of Newington College First XV in 2015)

Adam Doueihi (NSW Schoolboys starting fly half in 2016)

Clint Gutherson (NSW Schoolboys starting fullback in 2011)

Brodie Croft (played in the same rugby side as Kalyn Ponga at school)

Dylan Napa (QLD Schoolboys second-rower in 2009)

Originally published as Why rugby union missed out on a long list of league players