Aussie rugby's poaching plight

It is not only in England that rugby league is coming under attack from the union code. The story is remarkably similar in Australia.

The Australian Rugby Union has poached rugby league's two outstanding wings, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers, and chief executive John O'Neill has made no secret of his desire to sign as many top league players as he can. Sailor and Rogers will switch from Kangaroos to Wallabies in October and Sailor, the crowd-pulling star from Brisbane, may be included in Australia's autumn tour of Europe. Rogers, a prolific points scorer who is earmarked to play stand off for New South Wales next season, may take longer to make the international grade. Other league players who have switched are Duncan McRae, the NSW full back who left his mark on Ronan

O'Gara and the Lions recently, Peter Ryan, the ACT flanker formerly with the Broncos, and Andrew Walker, the ACT wing who proved such a handful for the Lions. O'Neill has missed one target, however. Darren Lockyer, Australia's full back, recently pledged his future to league by re-signing long term with the Broncos.

Not content with the high-profile signings, the ARU is about to land its biggest blow on a game reeling at both club and international level. It is keen on establishing a fourth Australian Super 12 side in Gosford when the competition expands in 2003. Perth and Melbourne were also touted as venues but the demise of league side Northern Eagles, who play half their home games in Gosford, has prompted a change in direction.