Quote: the red fusilier "If that player was sam burgess would you want salford or any other club to get that exemption or lose him to union ?'"
I'd prefer to lose him to Union than allow an egotist to run roughshod over the rest of the league, just because he has the wealth to do so.
If this signing and this rule change was for 2015, then, by all means, go and sign him up.... However, if you allow it now, then you are giving a side a totally unfair advantage over the rest of the competition - How many other players of Burgess's quality are available at this particular time for others to sign as their 'marquee' signing?