KEITH T. DENNETT | New South | CONTACT
Clipboards are tapping and pencils are scratching in a corporate box at Leichhardt Oval this afternoon, as a group of scouts from the English SuperLeague watch Wests Tigers play the Gold Coast Titans.
The Advocate understands that nine different representatives from the English Super League and several others from Japanese Rugby have arrived at the suburban ground, all with the view to boost their rosters with some C-grade NRL talent, hopefully for a bargain price.
With two bottom of the ladder teams battling it out in a round one blockbuster, officials say today’s game is an exciting opportunity to uncover the next big star of English footy and potentially the next winner of the ‘Man of Steel’ award.
“Oh it’s great to be here, we’ll certainly come away with the names and Instagram details of a few desperate players who are ready to enter the true twilight of their career,” said one scout from the Catalan Dragons.
“We’re looking for the next James Maloney or Glenn Stewart, the kind of player that is keen to park up in the south of France, drink wine and play a few games of bush league level footy a few times a year.”
Desperate to move on some ageing and slowing players who’d be far more suited to the nursing home speed of the SuperLeague, the NRL says it’s done everything it can to lure some scouts from across the world for the clash.
“We’ve got a packed house, we’ve even given free tickets to some Japanese Rugby scouts from the Yokohama Canon Eagles and the Tokyo Black Rams,” said Jason Murray, Head of the NRL’s Player Retirement division.
“We wish we could just ship both teams and their basketcase clubs to the SuperLeague if I’m honest, but it’d get way too political with the Dolphins now in the mix.”
“Whoever scores the first try in today’s game could win themselves a contract with the Warrington Wolves, it’s a high stakes match this one!”
