That’s an interesting stat. I hadn’t realised that. I guess there are similarities but with Leeds they have built success mainly on developing their own players and never spent as much as Wigan were. Leeds didn’t plunder other clubs of their players as much as Wigan did.

At least under the cap clubs can’t just go out and pay big wages to attract the best – they are forced to develop their own.

I suspect though that the well off clubs will be most successful regardless of whether there’s a cap or not.

Leeds appear to be a very well run club that have always had a good fanbase and the appeal of attracting top quality kids. Very similar to Saints and Wigan, all three have been consistently streets ahead of the rest over the decades.

Are you saying Koukash isnt in his right mind?

Director loans, when handled properly, can be a powerful tool, and can create benefits for both the clubs and the owners. The problem is recognising when a directors loan is a good one, or one just to lumber the club long term (something most Saints fans know). Without directors loans Langtree Park would never have been built.

I'm not against a salary cap rise, in real terms the cap has shrunk 500k in 10 years, but I think there would be more effective methods right now, as all such a big jump will do is mean the same players can demand more.

All three are very active in the schools and junior clubs as well. Something other teams need to take on board.

Yeah that was Marwans version of events via Twitter, not that hes ever got anything wrong before...

For what its worth, MK isnt numb and runs several successful businesses. Therefore when he fell out with TP and it was heading for a tribunal ask yourself how did he ever think the RFL and the RL world would never find out about his additional consultancy work? Just a thought maybe he new it would get found, then ask yourself why would he want people to find out because surely there would be some punishment for little old Salford?

Then finally just maybe other organisations do a similar consultancy arrangements with certain players and MK knows this and will expose it if the RFL fine his club. Alternatively of course the lot gets swept under the carpet and MK gets what he always wanted... no more salary cap, which as discussed previously i think would be great for the game!!

All the above totally made up and a complete guess.....

Are you sure on that, Hardaker, Briscoe, Moon, Cutherbertson, Aiton, Peacock, to name but a few have been purchased. Leeds now and Wigan in their glory decade very similar, one in SC world and one without...

Only difference is ask 10 Londoners to name you 3 RL players and i bet 90% still say Offiah, Edwards and Hanley... not a mention of the great Rhinos from the last 10 years...

Never said Leeds didn’t buy anyone but apart from Peacock and maybe Briscoe and now Ferres I can’t think of that many proven top class British players they bought from other clubs after they’d played test rugby.

In their day Wigan bought the very best money could buy in each position – Hanley, Offiah, Gregory, Lydon, Skerrett, Platt, Connolly etc. Nowadays a club can’t go on a spending spree like that because of the salary cap so it means they have to develp their own players and it makes for a fairer competition.

Im sure they would be able to name the lord and saviour that is Sir Kevin of Sinfield

Not sure what that has to do with the salary cap?

Leeds didn't pay for briscoe, he was out of contract at hull fc and was free to move

The bitterness is strong with this one...

There was Ellis and Webb too, but the point is that they were complementing top players that had come through Leeds youth systems. As you rightly say you can't go on a spending spree to win the league anymore, your youth, management, coaching, conditioning and physios need to be top notch too. Salford have proved this pretty comprehensively.

Now this isn't particularly an attack on Wigan pre-SL, they played cracking rugby and well worthy of recognition. But the problem is our clubs can barely run as they are never mind having to deal with excessive player wage inflation. That period in our sport led to chronic and catastrophic under-investment in every single aspect of the sport except first team player wages. We cannot afford another period like that.

To be fair, 2 of those you mention are Wigan lads and another 2 were born within a few miles of Wigan. We always had a strong backbone of homegrown players even in the heyday.

Best post in this thread ...

very simple, very clear, very right & simply brilliant.
I totally agree, with the caveat that Red Hall is cleared out & leaders with the cajones to lead & enforce the above suggested caps are brought in.

A Lion without teeth can only give you a nasty suck.

*no double entendres intended*

Why is a £2.5m cap simpler or clearer than a £1.8m cap?

Which 10 clubs can afford an extra £700k in player wages?

Which Championship clubs can afford the £1.5m?


I have a new plan. It's brilliant and simple and clear. Let's put the salary cap to £10m a year. That'll show those bloody Aussies and Union types.