According to the Virtual Terrace, the following NRL players will be arriving for the 2013 season:

Justin Carney, Zeb Taia, Ukuma Ta'ai, Gareth Ellis, Cory Paterson, Evarn Tuimavave, Travis Burns, Mitch Achurch (who??), Shane Grady (again who is this?)

Obviously Ellis stands out in that list in terms of quality, but as a returning British player he's an exceptional case. Due to the weak pound and lower standard of living over here, you can see why a spell in Super League is no longer an attractive proposition for the decent Antipodean players.

The low amount of imports may be considered a good thing, but the standard of the players listed certainly can't as it will lead to a weaker competition. Talented homegrown players are all too rare as well, which is why we are so lucky to have signed the likes of Ratchford, Myler and Chris Hill, and won't have to rely on buying average players from other SL clubs like Wigan have done.

Thoughts?

Yep the NRL has upped its salary cap to $5million (£3.2 million) au.sports.yahoo.com/football/new ... e-in-2013/ SL current cap set at £1.65million per year So we are likely to see less and less of the top Aussies coming over here when they can earn $$$$ in Oz.

Yep the NRL has upped its salary cap to $5million (£3.2 million) au.sports.yahoo.com/football/new ... e-in-2013/ SL current cap set at £1.65million per year So we are likely to see less and less of the top Aussies coming over here when they can earn $$$$ in Oz.

The problem is not one directional either. Salaries in Oz are higher and will attract the best UK players over there.

Watch out for long contracts for our up and coming young stars to stop them getting poached.

Finally, the change to the youth system over here will mean fewer youngsters being trained by the SL sides. The knock on effect will mean fewer players in the UK I would imagine. All bad news.