Fuck rugby union. Fuck it in it's stupid ass.

[J@3]

From LeagueUnlimited:

head of the Dragons clash against arch-rivals Brisbane, Dragons centre Mark Gasnier has inked a three year deal with the ARU but is yet to decide on the which team he will play for, only ruling out the struggling Western Force. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the offer is believed to be over $700,000 per season for the next three seasons making Gasnier a Wallaby until at least 2009.

Debate has raged in the past few weeks regarding Gasnier’s prospects in both codes with many believing his defection to the ARU was inevitable.

When pressed for a statement on why he chose to quit League, Gasnier’s manager George Mimis gave a simple “no comment”.

It is believed Gasnier will call a press conference after the Broncos match to officially confirm all League fans worst held fears that he will be playing in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

NRL and ARL officials are yet to comment but there is no doubt the news will come as a blow to League and will cost Gasnier his Australian jersey and his New South Wales jersey.

Mark Gasnier is the nephew of League legend and Immortal Reg Gasnier who played for the history making St George sides of the 1960’s.

For those of you who have no idea what's going on, here it is simplified:

Rugby league and rugby union are similar sports, and rivals in this country. Popularity sways depending on which national team is winning.

Rugby league has a salary cap inplace, different to the NBA. They can't go over the amount. Rugby union doesn't have this, and lately has been trying to sign great rugby league players to massive salaries isntead of developing their own juniors.

Mark Gasnier is the best Centre in the World, one of the best players overall.

Rugby union has offered him a contract which is double what he could get anywhere in rugby league, so he has switched.

This has greatly pissed me off.

Why can't they fuck off and poach some private school tosser, or raid places like Samoa like the Kiwi's do? I hear they're after Minichello next, if they get him (or Cross) I will genuinely murder anyone I suspect watches Union on a regular basis.

This is the equivilent of Kevin Garnett leaving the NBA to play netball.

[Drex]

That would be great for the netball league. I guess sport is a bussiness. They only took advantage of the cap situation.

[dada]

Thanks for the translation Jae, all that seemed like French at first. I understand why you are mad and if I was a huge fan I would too. I'm kinda disappointed in the player also but I cant really complain since it a good offer compared to what he was getting before. Its just sad how everyone has their price and at that point loyalty is irrelevant.

[The X]

Gasnier....don't like the guy

as for your point, as valid as it might be, it was only 10 years or so ago that Rugby League was always trying to poach players from Rugby Union due to the fact that League was a professional sport & Union was only amateur....I can't say it bothers me as I don't care for League (even though I played it for 3-4 years as a junior)....I wouldn't really worry about it, these sort of things have a way of balancing themselves out

& it's only Gasnier anyway....he's more trouble than he's worth....

[shadowgrin]

This is the equivilent of Kevin Garnett leaving the NBA to play netball.

That sums it all up. Just move on Jae, move on.

[Matthew]

I was furious when Lote left rugby league for union like you are now Jae, but you cant blame Gasnier, money is sometimes all people play for.

as for the situation, everyone knows rugby union is leagues little brother in this country. at least rugby league has some validity to it and sticks to its rules. I wonder if the shoe was on the other foot, if rugby union would allow "salary cap exceptions" to keep their players. I have to believe so.

[J@3]

Yeah I can't blame him for taking the cash, I hear he's making 700k a season or something which is great for someone who's only in their mid 20's. Even still, he's one of my favourite players in the NRL. You'd think rugby would have some sort of half legit junior base to bring players through in.

[rongotai]

Rugby > League

[Scotty]

i aggree with the thread title- it sucks balls........big ones

[Pera]

Rugby > League

Great work to post in a month old thread

[Scotty]

shit your right-went for a trip down the thread page did you rongotai?

[Fitzy]

stupid rugby all together, i dont even know the difference between league and union

[Stevesanity]

Whats that other sport you Australians play? cause like every Sunday I see like 10 australian guys kicking and throwing an oval ball around the park nearby wearing these seriously ugly looking skinnies. Because of them we don't get to use the park to play football anymore.

[J@3]

Probably Australian Rules (AFL), also known as Gay-FL by those of us in the Eastern states.

[Laxation]

Probably Australian Rules (AFL), also known as Gay-FL by those of us in the Eastern states.

Victoria is an Eastern State...

[Fitzy]

i think he might mean more NSW and Queensland...

[Laxation]

i think he might mean more NSW and Queensland...

Yeh so did I, I just dont like to miss a chance to be a smartass

[shadowgrin]

Rugby > League

Great work to post in a month old thread

shit your right-went for a trip down the thread page did you rongotai?

You have no right to give shite to rongotai, tripplemrox. You're the one who posted right after he dug this old thread.

i aggree with the thread title- it sucks balls........big ones

Some people needs to learn to read completely, and not immediately post spam.

[Stevesanity]

Probably Australian Rules (AFL), also known as Gay-FL by those of us in the Eastern states.

The sport seems to make no sense at all or at least have no real rules in it. It's like playing catch and soccer at the same time.

[Scotty]

You have no right to give shite to rongotai, tripplemrox. You're the one who posted right after he dug this old thread.

yeah, but i dont go to a previous page, the post in it

[Laxation]

You have no right to give shite to rongotai, tripplemrox. You're the one who posted right after he dug this old thread.

So you look at the dates of all posts before you reply to them?

[peaches]

Well, its common sense to know when the last thing posted was.