Rugby League's Sam Tomkins thinks Rugby Union is better at player retention
Martha Kelner of Men Sports interviewed Sam Tomkins of Wigan Warriors on Saturday, October 29, prior to England’s Gillette Four Nations clash against Wales at Leigh and asked him about the comparison between league and union platforms. Tomkins seemd to favour
Rugby Union for its higher salary caps.
Tomkins’ exemplary on-field presence makes him a star of Rugby League, which may make him switch to the alternate code of rugby.
When he was inquired about how well Rugby League looks after its players and what it does to retain them, Tomkins drew a comparison of League with how well Rugby Union operates in order to retain their players.
The player stressed upon the fact the players even in National Rugby League (NRL) are taken care of more, which explains why there has been an out flux of players from Super League to NRL.
He said that the players are retained at the alternate code of rugby more because there are higher salary caps provided, which is not a possibility in rugby league. This explains why union is luring many potential players of League to their side.
He also clarified that he does not imply that the players of League may realise in the upcoming years that the opportunity at Union in comparison surpasses the former, which may lead up to their eventual exit from League platform.
He explained that he did not only say that on the mere basis of the monetary value offered by Union but the conclusion has been drawn along the lines that completely puts Union international platform far ahead of League in terms of popularity of the game.
While comparing the exposure offered at the alternate codes of rugby, Tomkins also added at Union players face ten international level games, where each game is watched live by almost 80 thousand people.
Meanwhile, at League only two international level games, namely, Four Nations and one mid-season, are played which shows how stark the comparison is between the two, which clearly explains the talent drain trend.
Tomkins went on and added that in his view point of view, Rugby League is not a feeder for Rugby Union because the two are played a lot differently and it works out well that way for very few players.
Tags: