It wasn't aimed at you personally, so I apologise if it came over that way. But whether you meant to display NRL arrogance or not, that's how it appeared.

We are in the midst of a major but silent crisis in the British game. Major because we cannot afford to lose the few riches we have. Silent because the RFL won't admit to it. Yes, our own governing body is our main problem, but what can we do about that?

The player drain isn't the only issue - it's actually only one symptom of our financial failings, but it's a very serious symptom, and it's getting worse and worse - and it really galls to see our so-called Allies in the NRL not only showing no awareness of that, but actively revelling in it as if we now only produce top-quality players to boost their ranks.

When British clubs first started losing talent they couldn't afford to lose - the likes of Andy Farrell (spit!), Jason Robinson and Iestyn Harris, it wasn't a complete catastrophe. Some were veterans, others had done long years in domestic RL. But the target age has crept steadily down. Every year now it seems we lose some up-and-coming quality (and those who come back are either like Karl Pryce and Lee Smith, who were completely ruined by only a short spell in RU, or like Gareth Ellis, who gave his best years to the NRL and is now finished).

You may have lost players too, but a lot of yours go to the NRL, which at least you are part of, and thanks to that umbrella, you're not facing a slow meltdown back to semi-amateur status.

Unless I'm completely misreading your club's situation, I don't think there's much of a comparison between NZW and the ESL.

But even if there is, that doesn't help us. We cannot afford to lose our few star players. But we are doing. It's very difficult to celebrate that in any shape or form.

Hmm appreciate the run down, makes it a lot clearer. Given the threat to the Game from the top down Indeed the Loss of Tomkins and others is symptomatic and little cheer is to be found in that climate.
It's a real worry.
We've had some dark days here , very dark....the sports funding agency here ( SPARK ) were asked for money by the NZRL.
They were happy to fund sports like Show Jumping and Womens rowing but wouldn't touch Rugby League in NZ with a barge poll.
The upshot of it ( and the best thing that could have happened ) was that SPARK came up with a list of ultimatums before they would Bail Rugby league out....the Key ones were the sacking of the board.

The board resigned because they had no choice , they had run the sport into the ground on the verge of collapse without Sparks money.

Ironically a Brit was brought in to run the NZRL ( Jim Doyle ) and we are doing well now after several years of hard work.
Sounds like a similar revolution is essential for the long term survival of the Game over there.

By the way. Linking up with the NZW for the WCC prep was a good move in my opinion. It has been hot in Auckland , similar conditions to Sydney.

Wigan have been training in the heat of the day here ( the Hamilton training season was at midday full sun , fresh off the plane ). The NZW training facilities are as good as any in the NRL since the Multi Million dollar upgrade.

I'm sure both squads got a lot out of sharing the grounds at Mt Smart Stadium and more importantly picking the NZW brains about strategies for playing the Roosters.

Our Record against the Roosters is fairly even in the win loss stakes dating back to 1995 when the club entered the comp.

The NZW don't fear the Roosters and take a very aggressive / positive mindset into those games.

We played them twice last year.

Round two they were rusty and we were rubbish but put in a good effort and lost by two points.

We played them again in June when they had cemented themselves as the team to beat.

We Gave them a hell of a war and they lost.

I hope Wigan do them.....not long now.