If it was a rebranding exercise that would imply those doing it know there is a problem and so as you say are deliberately trying to mask it. I don't think they are that clever.

As far as I can see they have their head in the sand and they genuinely think their "whole game" approach with the Sky money spread across 26 clubs to varying degrees is a good thing and if anyone mentions the NRL or RU it's hands on ears and "I am not listening" time.

Despite the fact the TV rights were not put to tender (stupid mistake) with the money they did get had they accepted the inevitable which is it was enough to fund a full time league of 12 teams it would have literally doubled the clubs salary caps. Still less than the NRL but it would still have been enough to be able to offer the best players enough in wages to make it expensive for NRL sides to take them and then fit them under [itheir[/i salary cap given they obviously pay pretty close it it already with their existing players.

So the sad thing is it was possible to address the competition at least to a degree but they have deliberately chosen to leave the sport open to what is turning out to be a player drain. What was it, 7 of England's first team were Oz based in the Internationals? Can only see that number increasing and then I am not sure what the attraction of watching England will be and the standard of the domestic game????.

I'd go as well if I was him. Can't blame him at all. If he hadn't signed a deal with them already, then got an injury and lost his place to Manfredi in the season coming, the chance to play in the NRL could be a long time coming. Hope he rips it up.

Wish the lad well and hope to see him in an England shirt lifting the world cup

Controversial but an England coach who only picks players based in the UK might be an idea. Aussies won't come here regardless of money if their rep career is jeopardized. I think there were 7 ex-pat England players in the first 17 last time out. If it gets to 13 I think it would be a farce (and it could..).

Years ago I cheered on the likes of G Schofield, Lee Crooks and J Davies playing for GB. Not from my team but I knew who they were and what they could do. I am not sure I could be as enthusiastic about a team of ex-pats representing England or GB.

Three years is a very long time in a RL career.

Rather this than the ru and as much as it pains, he's showing ambition and will be playing in the world's best competition.

Nobody says players should spend another three years with lower league clubs out of gratitude when SL comes knocking....

For me personally Dom should now be the starting 1st team winger rather than Joe. If Joe is not going to be here in 2016 I don't see the point in having Dom playing second fiddle to him in 2015 when he can be getting the 1st team experience.

My first thought was freeze him out, maybe send him to Workington, and see if Manfredi fits the bill. But if he doesn't fit in over there I'm sure there are some awkward rivals who would love to have him on his return and Wigan will want to keep him sweet. Probably immaterial as I reckon he will thrive in Aus.

I'm sure this decision, which has hardly been a secret, will hopefully give others more of a chance to secure a spot. While you should always play your strongest team, if the lads going others should get more game time. And I'm sure that will already have been factored in.

Lets not lose sight of the real culprit in this, the lack of money in Super League. You can easily blame your favourite target, the club, IL, the player, agents, the FRL.... But it all comes down to the fact that there is not as much money in this game, compared to the alternatives.

This was my stance at one time but the return of Joel and Mossop proves the worth of keeping relations sweet between the player, his agent nd the club. Sad to see him go but I'd rather hold out hope for his return and play him on merit just as if he was staying.

No point freezing him out as long as his attitude is right. At the end of the day you can only keep looking to tomorrow for so long and as much as it'd be good to get Manfredi plenty of experience we have things to win in 2015.

As much as I think it's a little poor from Burgess he's one of our best two wingers so he plays.

I think you make a good point but there is a difference in that most players in that position have the opportunity to transition from a part time to a full time career.

But going from a rumoured £8k per year (I don't know what his new contract offer from Wigan was) to probably in excess of £100K is the equivalent of going from part time to full time too.

With regards to the person who said he could hang around for 3 years and then go. Who's to say he couldn't get a career ending injury in that time or a career altering injury (David Vaeiliki) in that time also?

It's a short career and I wish him the best providing his attitude is right for the remaining year of his contract with us.

To be fair. I imagine in the days of Schofield, Crooks and Davies, the NRL wasn't readily available to UK TV viewers as it is now. Nowadays they're not really 'out of sight' at all.

The increase in money isn't the reason I made the point. The point is that a player with the opportunity to move from Championship to Super League has an opportunity to play sport for a living which would be the dream of most young men. Mixing two jobs may also carry logistical difficulties.

I'm not being naïve, believe me I know for some people money is the be all and end all. But in this situation I would have hoped that things like loyalty and gratitude would be bigger motivators.

As for the prospect of career ending injury, you can't possibly plan your career with the fear that this will happen. The chances are slim in the scheme of things. It's like you or I saying we want to travel the world in a week because we might get run down by a car or keel over at any moment.

That is because it is not remotely the same thing.

Going form being an amateur to full time pro is not the same as a full time pro moving from one club (or competition) to another.