Incredible amount of publicity generated. He got in one day more publicity in this country than he's had in his entire career. The difference in levels of coverage between the two codes is hardly fair but Union provides an international scene which League can't offer at the minute. Israel Folau is a classic example: League is bigger in Oz than Union, but because of the better international scene it was worthwhile for him to jump ship.

Yep. Exactly the same last year.

The same as last year yes, but as a day out to have a look at some of the younglings I'd actually like to have an option if you please. No problem trying to attract the corporates (also probably why Farrell is the guest speaker at the dinner - to appeal to the rah-rahs), but are there any figures from last year's event to back up the efficacy of this approach? Given that it's been going on between Broncos & Skolars for some years, has anything actually come from this "networking" attempt (sorry - hate that term).

It's actually more an indictment of the state of sport in Comps. The Bitch Thatcher started the wholesale sell-off of school land & her lick-spittle, Major carried it on with Blair & Brown not doing anything to reverse the problem.
The only places left that can conceivably grow our future elite athletes [iare [/ithe fee-paying schools, so it's no surprise (nor a problem, IMO) that a disproportionate number come from that direction.
Until we stop leaning so far towards academic subjects in curricula & cater for those people who are never going to remember Pythagoras' theorem let alone revel in Dickens or Maxine Peake as Hamlet (she was fab, by the way), then the demise of sport in state schools will continue until it crosses the point of no return. If it hasn't already.

I'm sure there'll be other opportunities for you.