A few mistakes in the article and some unexplained areas that change the context. Brent Webb has never been with the Bulldogs, he worked for the Warriors many moons ago and has been with the Roosters for at least the last five years. His son is one of the grammar boys that moved to Brisbane. And those 5 grammar boys that signed contracts with NRL clubs were recruited by grammar from league, none of them live in the grammar catchment.
Teenage talent wars: How the NRL is poaching Kiwi schoolboys
As rugby stands off, league is swooping to win the race to secure future talent.www.nzherald.co.nz
It’s true that boys can sign in the year that they turn 15 but it’s not much. Typically $500-$2000, structured training, training kit and a few trips to Aus to play in exhibition games if they’re not signed to the Warriors.. The money might double or triple when they are eligible for Matt’s. Realistically, the money barely covers the petrol bill and other expenses.
It’s hypocritical of the big schools to complain about NRL clubs signing kids when they’ve stockpiled all the talent and made union a four horse race in most Auckland grades. They effectively ‘signed’ a kid to a union contract for incentives worth a lot more than NRL expense money. Almost all the union kids that have signed to NRL clubs started in league anyway.
I agree that moving the whole family to Aus to chase a 15 year olds NRL dream is risky when 95% don’t make first grade.
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