I dont disagree but the steps forward international rugby has taken are massive, the last two world cups have shown Samoa png Tonga as genuine challenges for th top 3 sides. also some of the smaller nations have massively improved like Lebanon Japan. if we can continue to improve internationaly and the union spectacle continues to struggle then we can close the gap on exposure. I just dont think the rofl or super league really do much after a World Cup or international test to promote the game. do we think the improved viewing figures and attendances have nothing to do with the greta world ciup we have recently hosted ?

And the other side of the coin...



rlhttps://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-newcastle-knights-salary-cap-overhaul-players-told-they-are-free-to-leave-adam-obrien-peter-osullivan-isaac-moses-conflict-of-interest-news-videos-highlights/news-story/fd234ccd6124a1c50935ab92b27108ecrl

I agree and that the salaries offered to entice players over to the NRL are excessive, and even though KPP is a very talented young kid then £400K per season is a ridiculous amount of money.
It will be interesting to see if it is money well spent by the Knights or if he eventually gets cut down the line to free up salary cap space

Converting KPPs salary to GBP is irrelevant as their salary cap is miles higher so its no comparison.

His reported salary next year is about 8% of the salary cap. Equivalent % in England would be £168k per year which doesn't sound out of the question if he is one of your best players? £168K would probably put him in the top 3-5 earners at a club like Wigan, Saints, Warrington I would guess?

Wonder which academy players will join the first team squad next year ?

Junior and Hill will replace Cooper and Isa but who will replace them?

Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason and Taylor Kerr all seem to England academy regulars. A proper, a backrower and a loose forward.

Wonder if they are seen as big prospects?

I remember Nathan Lowe a winger/centre joined the first team in preseaon whilst Marshall was away.

Not seen much of McDermott but in the bits I've seen of the other two, I've always been hugely impressed with Kerr. He looks a real talent, with good hands and will be a good size once he fills out. I've never seen much in Mason to think he'll go on and become a top player but he might've just had quiet games in the ones I've seen. The other who always impressed me is Tom Ratchford, a young hooker. He will have a lot of players to get past at Wigan in the next few years mind.