If I had of been good enough no amount of money would have tempted me to play the game that is still hellbent on destroying Rugby League.
Unfortunately the players of today do not seem to know their history and do not have the inbred allegiance towards RL.

Disappointing for RL but who can blame him? From a playing point of view he will find it very different but to just deride the game shows a lack of knowledge. RL fans slag the game off as dull and 'all pile in' but RU fans say the same things about our game. They see it as 5 short runs, kick, repeat. They find it monotonous and lacking skill! Sound familiar? Both games are different and should be treated as such. Lets be honest many thousands of people watch and play RU so it must have something going for it. He'll become a very rich man and with the infrastructure and media coverage within RU will have a job for life if he wants one.

Not sure it is all about money though but the chance to play at some extremely prestigious events. Just have a look this coming weekend at how much coverage the six nations gets and the crowds it attracts. It will dwarf anything RL gets for its international comps and that is just for an annual event. The RU world cup will be huge and any player would want to be involved in something like that. Like it or not the RFU know how to put on a show and capitilise on it as well.

The RFL did ok with this years world cup over here but how have they capitilsed on its perceived success? Yep by not scheduling any international games in this country this year and making the coaching position part-time! They also pulled money out of the celtic nations! All we have is a four nations down under that nobody in the media will be interested in and coverage will be minimal. Quite honestly I don't blame Sam one bit and I imagine Tomkins will follow after his 2-3 years in the NRL.

I agree. Whether we like it or not their international comp dwarfs ours. I can't imagine he'd be getting that much more anyway it's not like he's playing in France where all the dollar is. Frustrating mind

Perhaps old Maximus Decimus didn't want to find a sweetener. May well be feeling a bit let down having rolled out the red carpet for the whole family. Who knows?

He's gone but the game will produce someone else to take his place.

its not like there's a mad rush from a lot of the league players to change codes so you can only imagine its either to try something different or the billies, I personally think he has sold his sole to the devil but I never played the game but a friend of mine has played both and even though he loves his league he enjoyed union more to play.

union isn't out to destroy RL as it knows it doing well by its self, it is only pick the marquee players that can be enticed as and when

I agree and just said so on the VT thread. Got to admit it is a surprise, didn't think he'd leave Souths.

I actually playing both codes and loved to play both, but always preffered to watch League but still watch plenty
of Union.