THE RL1908 BLOG

News, Reviews & Opinion - Sean Fagan - RL1908.com

I read recently that veteran NFL quarterback Vinny Testaverde, has signed with the New England Patriots, returning to the NFL at age 43.

Interesting how, since rugby league truly became a full-time career for its players, the age of active first graders is declining - you would have thought that earning your daily crust from football would have led to more older players in the NRL, not less.

While the salary cap is one reason, the wear-and-tear must be another.
How much bigger would the NRL player pool be if more players stayed
active longer?

The life of a professional rugby legaue player is short when compared to other sports, and seemingly getting shorter - if you were a young bloke,
determined to make your working career in a pro sport, would rugby league be the one you would choose? Sure, if you love the game - but if you add up the potential career $$$ earnings ($$$ multiplied by years), would the NRL be the career of choice?

Look at Andy Farrell - playing in the front row at Wigan and almost
certainly looking at rugby league retirement - the RFU comes calling, and his sporting career extends for another 4-5 years, top money, and a place in the England RU team for the RWC (in the backs no less!).

Look at Australian rules footballer Saverio Rocca - trying to start a NFL career at the age of 34. Green Packers quarter-back Brett Favre - still starring at the age of 38 - he has been the Packers starting quarterback since 1992. I can't begin to start naming soccer, rugby union and AFL stars that are well into their 30s.

The longer these star players are in the game, the more popular they
become - look at Steve Menzies at Manly.

How good would it be for the NRL if Sonny Bill Williams and Benji
Marshall were stars for the NRL for 15 to 20 years - in reality, they
will last half that time (at best), and rugby league will be the poorer for it.

There are some players over 30 y.o. in the NRL, but they are the
exception rather than the rule: Jason Smith, Paul Mellor, Ruben Wiki,
Steve Price, Steve Menzies & Daniel Wagon. But where are their fellow
mid-1990s debutants?

No doubt the rugby league game today is hard and fast, and provides great entertainment.

But there is no doubt it is more taxing on the body than the other football codes, even seemingly than some positions in American football - perhaps, it is to rugby league's detriment.

Those seeking rule changes to rugby league, should perhaps keep this concern in mind.