I remain to be convinced that this is the principle of Rugby Union.

I wish him all the best and hope at the very least he can generate publicity for the Crusaders. If he can do a Henry Paul, get himself fit and have two good seasons playing RL at a venerable age then it's all good. And if it does happen I see no reason why other RU stars wouldn't follow thus raising the profile even more.

I'd never heard of him....but was aware that a Welsh player had "come out". To say that the aim in Union is to score tries is a little strong. I believe that even the most ardent Union supporter would argue that the aim is to threaten to score a try such that your opponent gives you a penalty in preference.

Wooooooooaahhhhhhh! Just hang on. Better at what? It's a different game. Some are faster, some can pass longer passes and some can kick better......but that doesn't mean they are better rugby league players. When you see how many tackles actually take place in a game of rugby union, and how many times the winger gets to run with the ball etc, any union convert is going to have to work hard to convert. I do agree there is bags of potential in Union to pick good players out but to say "At second row he could do okay. He is big and strong and would be able to tackle all day" is basically showing you do not understand the subject.

if you said "some" english rugby league fans you might be right but he is a high profile sportsman, and if you know many rugby union players he would be higher on the list tahn most. The very fact he has played for and Captained the Lions puts him in the higher profile than any current rugby league player.
I don't like it but it is true. It is a reflection on Rugby League more than a reflection on him.

Or more likely you don't read the articles on rugby union, anyway he is more commonly referred to as Alfie (over a quite striking likeness to a children's TV character).

i've never heard of him - but then again i have absolutely no interest in that other game with the same shaped ball - is he like a top, iconic world player or something then?
not been patronising just wanting to get a sense of how big this would be for the Crusaders

Oh there are probably loads of sportsmen more famous than him that I haven't heard of. If you take no interest in a particular sport then somebody would have to be Pele to be known to you.

When it comes to soccer, I only care about Leeds United and England. I've no idea who plays up front for Liverpool these days.

IMO it is comparable to Farrell crossing codes though Farrell stood more chance of making an impact as a player.

it says he is 35 so would that be like David Beckham signing for Sheffield Wednesday in football terms cos Farrell was at the peak of his career at the time he left to play that other sport, surely at 35 this guy cant have a lot game wise to offer any club at any level?

is 35 old or what for a Union player ??

Farrell was finished as a top class RL player when he moved. He'd have lasted one or two more seasons more tops without a major drop in ability.

Can't see any other reason why they'd want a 35 year old RU player with (AFAIK) no RL experience.

Hey serious question - has Dwayne Chambers knocked it on the head now?

You English Rugby League fans who 'claim' to never have heard of Alfie ought to try picking up a newspaper or venturing further than T' Woolpack in 'Otten'

'Alfie' Thomas is Wales most capped player with 100 appearances, ninth in the all-time international tryscoring list, A British and Irish Lion and a great RUGBY player.

He is almost 36 but if he did come to the Crusaders (which I doubt personally) he would be a big hit.

Rugby League and Rugby Union aren't that different really are they?! No line outs, 2 players less and only 4 points for a try are the fundamental differences. The ball is the same shape and the idea in both codes is to score tries as someone else on the thread said.

I personally like both codes (and have played both) but you one eyed blinkered League fans (and I know that doesnt include everyone on this board) should realise there is more to Union than just kicking the ball into the crowd

I suppose you could say Rugby League is just kick, Tackle, Tackle, Tackle, Tackle, Tackle, Tackle, kick if you wanted to be really pedantic about it.

Its unlikely Alfie will come to the Crusaders, same as it was always unlikely Gavin Henson would. But if he did I would wholeheartedly support him and I reckon he would be great for the club.

Maybe if the club had remained in South Wales, but not now.

Why? i have absolutely no interest in Rugby Union, never have had and never will !.
I'm sure there are sports that you dont particularly care about and have no interest in, but by your own advice you should pick up a paper and read about it and you should know who the top players in that game are?
Most English Rugby League fans i know dont care for Union one bit and therefore we dont need to know who the players are.
Turn it around then and does every Union supporting Welshman who have no interest in League know most of the English league players? dont think so !
just because someone maybe a big name in one sport doesn't mean fans of other sports will have heard of them.

He is like.. a huge name though.
I cant stand union but I know who he is, to answer your earlier question, he would have been a HUGE signing...5 years ago

not to me he aint thats why i was asking about his pedigree.........only union players i know are Wilkinson and that dallgio(sp?) bloke ....... as well as the league converts