U23
13-04-2008, 10:27 AM
Gundagai slam NRL clubs over poaching
by Barry Toohey
Article from: ST
A leading Gundagai official has lashed out at a lack of empathy being shown by NRL clubs, with two of the Tighers' newest Kiwi recruits almost certain to quit the club a week out from the start of the Group 9 season to link with Newcastle and Cronulla.
One of the players - Kiwi under-19's hooker Manaia Osborne - has already joined the Knights, while back-rower Troy Nicho looks likely to go to the Sharks this week.
While he would never stand in the way of a player wanting to better himself, Gundagai president Jamie Turnbull claimed it was just another example of the NRL's "don't care" attitude when it comes to the bush.
"They have got to pull their heads out of the sand, these clubs, and realise what is happening out here," Turnbull said.
"We were wooden spooners here last year, after a pretty ordinary season and because we struggle to attract Australian players, we went overseas looking for some talent.
"These boys have been here training and playing since February and, a week out from the start of the comp, we have lost one and will probably lose the other.
"Newcastle have reimbursed us for our costs in relation to Manaia but that;s it. They have given us no avenue to try to find another player ... as a good-will gesture
"We are back to square one and all the hard work that went into getting these young guys out here has been for nothing.
"The NRL clubs just have no idea how tough it is for clubs to survive out here. The bottom line for them is to make a dollar, and they aren't worried about us"
However, Knights operations manager Warren Smiles yesterday claimed it was Osborne who had called the Knights looking for an opportunity.
"I can understand Gundagai being disappointed but we knew he had played Junior Kiwis and he attended a camp we held in New Zealand in January," Smiles said.
"Because of some doubt over the salary cap, we wouldn't do anything with him then and he actually called us while he was in Gundagai to see if anything had changes.
"He wants an opportunity and we would like to give him that."
by Barry Toohey
Article from: ST
A leading Gundagai official has lashed out at a lack of empathy being shown by NRL clubs, with two of the Tighers' newest Kiwi recruits almost certain to quit the club a week out from the start of the Group 9 season to link with Newcastle and Cronulla.
One of the players - Kiwi under-19's hooker Manaia Osborne - has already joined the Knights, while back-rower Troy Nicho looks likely to go to the Sharks this week.
While he would never stand in the way of a player wanting to better himself, Gundagai president Jamie Turnbull claimed it was just another example of the NRL's "don't care" attitude when it comes to the bush.
"They have got to pull their heads out of the sand, these clubs, and realise what is happening out here," Turnbull said.
"We were wooden spooners here last year, after a pretty ordinary season and because we struggle to attract Australian players, we went overseas looking for some talent.
"These boys have been here training and playing since February and, a week out from the start of the comp, we have lost one and will probably lose the other.
"Newcastle have reimbursed us for our costs in relation to Manaia but that;s it. They have given us no avenue to try to find another player ... as a good-will gesture
"We are back to square one and all the hard work that went into getting these young guys out here has been for nothing.
"The NRL clubs just have no idea how tough it is for clubs to survive out here. The bottom line for them is to make a dollar, and they aren't worried about us"
However, Knights operations manager Warren Smiles yesterday claimed it was Osborne who had called the Knights looking for an opportunity.
"I can understand Gundagai being disappointed but we knew he had played Junior Kiwis and he attended a camp we held in New Zealand in January," Smiles said.
"Because of some doubt over the salary cap, we wouldn't do anything with him then and he actually called us while he was in Gundagai to see if anything had changes.
"He wants an opportunity and we would like to give him that."