Rugby coy on chase of NRL superstar after $8m injection

Rugby Australia has announced a surplus for the first time in four years, capping a huge financial u-turn for the sport.

An $8.2 million surplus was announced at the governing body’s 2022 annual general meeting on Wednesday, with Wallabies legend Joe Roff also declared the governing body new president.

The result comes two years after the effects of COVID-19 saw the governing body record a $27.1 million deficit.

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Addressing the media, Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan pointed to the positive financial future awaiting the game.

“We’re on an even keel now,” he said.

“Two-and-a-half years ago the whole game could have been amateur again. It’s amazing what we’ve done, really on a shoestring [budget].”

Amid the code war between union and league, the excess funds could be used by Ruby Australia to poach more league players, including Broncos superstar Payne Haas.

“There are a lot of league players who have reached out to us because they like the idea of playing league – and we’re the first to say league’s a great game – but they want something different with rugby union,” McLennan said.

“We will see in due course if it is right for them and us.

“There’s not going to be 20 players who we try to poach or bring back. The ones we’ve talked about have played union through their high school years, and we think there’s a role for them here within our game, and quite a few have reached out to say they want to come back.

“They love playing the game, they want international exposure and they want to wear Wallaby gold.

“If they fit that criteria and there’s a role for them … Our primary goal is to look after the guys that we’ve got at the moment.

“Then you look at Joseph Suaalii, who I think could be a great icon for the game going forward. There’s really only a handful of people we hope to get back.”

Asked if Haas was one such player being targeted, McLennan didn’t rule out the possibility.

“We have lost a lot of good union players to league over the years, and they’ve been poaching our talent, and they squeal when we take one or two of them back,” he said.

Rugby Australia has opened negotiations with Haas’ management, according to News Corp.

It’s believed Haas could be next on the hit-list of big NRL names after Suaalii signed a multi-year deal with Rugby Australia in March.

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