Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Stuart Honeysett - The British Government is reviewing its immigration rules in a move that could make it easier for English Super League clubs to poach players from the NRL. The proposed change comes as the NRL was warned yesterday to brace itself for a major raid after the English Super League announces today that two new clubs will join its competition.

As it stands, English clubs can only recruit players from the NRL who have played at least 75 per cent of first-grade games over two seasons (there is a dispensation clause for injured or suspended players).

The proposed change will see English clubs apply to the Immigration Department on behalf of the player, who will have to satisfy a number of key criteria to qualify for a work permit.

The move would assist former NRL first-grade players out of form or favour, those who are playing NSW Cup and fail to meet the quota guidelines.

That could ultimately test a club's depth as injuries and suspensions have an impact over the course of a season.

"It will make it a little bit easier (to poach NRL players) but it will still come down to an application and points system and if you haven't played at the top level your chances of getting a work permit will be very low," manager Mark Rowan said yesterday.

It is believed that the Salford Reds and Celtic Crusaders are favoured to win the new licences - Widnes is also in contention.

The poaching has already begun with North Queensland prop Ray Cashmere tipped to have signed a deal at Salford.

With both clubs allowed to sign up to nine imports from the NRL, several player managers warned yesterday that Australian players would be fair game.

Although most players have sorted out next season, there are several former NRL stars languishing in the NSW cup.

This list includes South Sydney's Jeremy Smith, Dean Widders and Yileen Gordon, Penrith's Jarrod Sammut and Frank Puletua, and the Eels' Eric Grothe.

"There definitely will be a raid," Rowan said. "They're waiting until they get their licence and then it will be bang, bang, bang. Within a week or two there should be a bit of movement."

Manager George Mimis said he had already had expressions of interest from the clubs that were in the mix. "It's pretty logical that there's a bunch of additional spots that become available and that puts a bit more focus on our system," Mimis said.

Manager Greg Willett said some NRL clubs might even look to move several of their players on with the addition of two new English teams.

"It will have some impact if they're going to come here and take a few players away again," Willett said. "Some clubs will probably want to off-load a couple of their bigger players who have been on decent dough for a couple of years."

Manager David Riolo wasn't expecting a huge disruption to the NRL, adding that there were plans to reduce the number of imports over the next few years.

After being allowed to sign nine imports next season, the number will drop to eight in 2010 and again to five in 2011.

However, Riolo warned that the gradual reduction would eventually lead to English clubs only targeting the best players the NRL has to offer. The Australian