: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:28 pm  

This shows that the WRU are unsettled by the Crusaders!

the WRU re organised with the idea of strengthening the national side. At one time Wales had many club sides of note (Cardiff / Swansea / Aberavon/Bridgend/Neath/Ebbw Vale/LLanelli/Pontpool /Tredegar etc) who were virtually all welsh players. Now they have 4 sides each with several overseas players. Yet there are 60K players of all ages in Wales. There is a huge rugby talent pool and for every one RL player cherry picked by the WRU ther will be dozens of young welsh players who will give RL a go...and find they like it.

The franchise means the Crusaders are there for at least 3 years and the WRU hate that...tough.

Re: Rugby League Expansion into Wales Under Threat : Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:35 pm  

Judder Man wrote: According to the sporting media in Wales, Celtic Crusaders won,t be allowed to progress with local rugby talent. There is a threat that any good developing players will be bought up and end up playing Union. Will Lewis take note or just create "spin" that we have a foothold in Wales. The WRU must have some money if they're going to 'buy up' any talented youngsters that Crusaders look at. Wales has 28,702 pre-teen male players; 21,371 teen male players; 19,000 senior male players (thanks wiki). That is a lot of players to keep tabs on don't you agree. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/rug ... -20782237/ This seems to suggest differently.

Judder Man wrote: According to the sporting media in Wales, Celtic Crusaders won,t be allowed to progress with local rugby talent. There is a threat that any good developing players will be bought up and end up playing Union. Will Lewis take note or just create "spin" that we have a foothold in Wales. The WRU must have some money if they're going to 'buy up' any talented youngsters that Crusaders look at. Wales has 28,702 pre-teen male players; 21,371 teen male players; 19,000 senior male players (thanks wiki). That is a lot of players to keep tabs on don't you agree. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/rug ... -20782237/ This seems to suggest differently.

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:40 pm  

Starbug wrote:

So it follows that if you want to get paid good money to play R Union in Wales the best way would be to play RL at junior level for Celtic

So we end up with more juniors taking up RL in Wales

How is that bad for RL ?

I don't think he has thought it through either to be fair.

If I was a youngster contemplating playing RL down here and read that I would think you had less chance of being outcast by RU and be encouraged to play the game more.

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:46 pm  

crucrucrusaders wrote:

I don't think he has thought it through either to be fair.

If I was a youngster contemplating playing RL down here and read that I would think you had less chance of being outcast by RU and be encouraged to play the game more.

Well he is Welsh

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:46 pm  

Starbug wrote:

Well he is Welsh

Is he?

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:47 pm  

...

I wonder if Crucru has a welsh accent...

from now on i'm going to imagine all his posts being read in a welsh accent

...sorry

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:50 pm  

Imagine that, someone sounding like the rest of the people from that area.

I actually sound Spanish but it is a bit forced.

I sound like Manuel off Faulty Towers.

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:51 pm  

crucrucrusaders wrote:

Is he?

I stand corrected

1 nil to you

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:56 pm  

Starbug wrote:

I stand corrected

1 nil to you

The score must be in to treble figures by now between us too.

I'm way ahead though, no doubt about that.

: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:59 pm  

crucrucrusaders wrote:

The score must be in to treble figures by now between us too.

I'm way ahead though, no doubt about that.

Dont get giddy