Sonny Bill was due to Toulon offering him a crazy amount of money. Money will always be a factor I am afraid!

Least down under the tables have turned and now it is Rugby League that has the big money and not Rugby Union. I doubt we will be seeing many big stars going over to the darkside anytime soon.

Also talking about losses to Union

Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor was big losses..

Nah, Ashton's overrated. Wales were abysmal in that match. With the exception of Toby "Hammer of the Welsh" Flood, both sides were equally dire. Ashton just got on the end of a bit of Flood genius.

And Italy have even less strength in depth than Wales. It was the injuries to too many key players that did for Italy.

Though 4 tries against the IRB 12th ranked team, decimated by injuries, is a decent start he's no better than any of the other "great league hopes". He may be a loss to League. It remains to be seen whether he's a gain to Union.

Score a try against a top 5 team Ashton, then we'll talk again.

Now Jason Robinson. THERE was a successful convert. The human try machine. No Shane Williams, but a DEVASTATING attacker in a successful English team. His selection scared opponents. NO other league player has done that.

Lesley Vainakolo was meant to be England's answer to Jonah Lomu. We in Wales found that highly amusing. Especially when he was dumped on his arrse by Ickle Shane. The Volcano is now only ever picked for Saxons (Ingerlund 'A')

you know what I find funny is when you heard the BBC commentators waxing lyrical over Sonny Bill's handling skills when NZ last came over.

Rugby League players have been showing these skills for years..

I think Sonny Bill will come back to Rugby League. One thing that he will always have in his head is that he missed out on NZ winning the RL world cup and 4 nations. I have no doubt that he would have loved to have been part of that team!

But being a Union All Black is hardly second best. They are the top team in the world at NZ's most popular sport, even if they ARE RUWC chokers.

As regards handling skills, All Blacks ALL have those skills. There's ferck all else to do in NZ than to handle one's balls, so no wonder they get good at it.

Ashton's first 3 tries were against Australia, 1 down in Sydney and 2 at Twickenham, one of which was a great 90 meter try, which got voted IRB try of the year.

Roger the rabbit!

Our biggest loss to Rugby Union is surrendering the name 'Rugby' and losing the opportunity to build our brand

The biggest lost is what happened in France.

hopefully oneday it might recover....

What happened in France?

Can't argue with that Dunbar.
It really pi55es me off when you hear about the rugby(union) world cup coming up later this year.
We should try and claim it back ASAP.

No mate it's me.

you're either taking the mickey or new to the sport,which one is it.