In what could be potentially catastrophic news for Rugby League culture in Australia… mate… the National Rugby League (a.k.a. NRL) are said to be offering the Prince of Australian Pivots, Quade Cooper, one of the stolen generation, a war chest to turn his back on the Rah-Rah boys of Union, and into the light of the Little-Big League, with the final piece in the offering puzzle said to be the offer to enforce a new rule… the Quade rule!

The term mate is synonymous with Rugby League-speak, as synonymous as Red Hair is to Fatty Vautin, and as Tomato Sauce is to Fush and Chups.  However, the NRL is so desperate to get one back in the Battle for the Sydney Sporting dollar that they are said to be offering to enforce a rule… call it, a law, which would see all future use of the term mate, exchanged for the term, the name, the man…

Quade.

Such is their desire for this not-so-mini Cooper, the NRL will not rest in their search to steal Quade, as the Aussies did from their Kiwi Cousins, many moons ago.  If you think this is not a big deal, listen to a “Leaguey” speak off the cuff, particularly after a Grand Final!  What has historically been, Oh Mate, could very soon be, Oh Quade, with the cultural ramifications there for all to hear!

Okay, okay, so that part of this blog post might be trawling in the hyperbole side of life, but if reports are accurate, it does seem that the NRL is on the Quade Cooper case here, desperate to change the sporting conversation on the East Coast of Australia, which has been framed with AFL insignias laughing out loud at their Rugby League cousins.  When one considers the difference in dollar amount of the sums presently reported, the ARU might want to break open the piggy bank, because the present difference amounts to the Tasman Sea.

Will he go?  Should he go? How does the proximity to a Rugby World Cup impact on this decision?

Given the Wobblies present reality as evidenced in their recent form on the field, one would expect the ARU to wake out of their stupor and offer the man something worth his time and talent.  While conventional wisdom would say that a year out from this RWC, such a proximity would rule out a move to the NRL, given the ARU’s present offer, it seems to have gone down like a hot air balloon… and just like the object when full of hot air, such is not going down too well.

If I was a betting man, I would think we would be hearing about a substantially more attractive offer from the Not-So-Mello Yellow’s in the coming days, which should put the dog into this fight.  Given the RWC, his close connections in Union, particularly to a certain “rabbit” (a.k.a. James O’Connor) and rugby goals yet-to-be-realised, I would be surprised if he turned to Rugby League at this stage of his career.  However, if the Wobblies fail to win another game in the Tri-Nations this year, combined with a resolute will from the NRL to get Cooper, there could be more trawling for the headline grabbers… that’s me, as this story develops!

Will a Union player make a big hit in League?  You know, it has happened before!

Anyone remember another Union convert out of Queensland who played the pivot… Long live the King!  No, not the iamjonnyking… I am of New Zealand, and while Quade is likewise, I am speaking of King Lewis, Wally Lewis, who remains Rugby League royalty for the Cane-toads of Queensland

Also, as this League talk is centered around the Eels of Paramatta, one must confess there is room on the Hayne Plane for a Co-Pilot!

Not to forget that Quade Cooper could also play for his whanau, in the Kiwis side.

Remember Quade, blood is thicker than water, and while the Tasman is between us, the Waka is on the way!

Time will be telling, and I am wont to join the party!

Until Next Time

iamjonnyking