On the hit list’: Burton in Rugby Australia’s sights as Wallabies plot another NRL raid

[Papa Joe]

Did you know Burton grew up in the bush

Kate's Bush???

Sorry, it's an oldie but still a goodie.

 

[B-Train]

Please.. Rugby hasn't been relevant in this country for years.

 

[senshidog]

Isn't Union is all but dead in Australia, and aren't we epically shit at a national level?

From memory paying out Izzy Folau almost sent them to the wall.

 

[blue & white blood]

Did you know Burton grew up in the bush

NO ! but I know he was born in one, just like the rest of us

 

[blue & white blood]

Ahead of the 2003 World Cup the Wallabies pinched three of the NRL’s biggest players.

Now Rugby Australia, with a British and Irish Lions series in 2025 and a World Cup in 2027 to be played on home soil, wants to do it again.

One of the targets on Rugby Australia’s hit list is NSW Blues back Matt Burton.

RA chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the governing body was interested in luring the Blues back to the game when his contract expires with the Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of 2023.

Burton is on the hit list created by Rugby Australia’s high performance committee for Andy Marinos (Rugby Australia CEO),” McLennan told foxsports.com.au.


The versatile back, who plays five-eighth for the Bulldogs but can play at fullback and centre, is understood not to want to take up a one-year extension with the Bulldogs at the end of next year having made the move from Penrith.

One of Burton’s strengths is his versatility, but his extraordinary booming kick offers him a point of difference.

Nor is there a concern over his injury history, with the Blues centre, who starred during State of Origin 2 in Perth on debut, a physical presence standing in the front-line.

Burton, 22, played rugby at school and grew up in the bush.


He would command a $1 million deal, but given his pedigree and versatility it could be a strong strategic play particularly given the Wallabies have few options at fullback.

Also on Rugby Australia’s hit list is Roosters star Joseph Suaalii, who starred at schoolboy level where he attended The King’s College.

With a Lions series and home World Cup to look forward to, RA is expected to bank $100m.

With private equity around the corner too, the governing body is assessing whether to try and lure a couple of big names to the sport to help generate more media exposure and success on the field.

Two of the Wallabies’ past three NRL converts - Israel Folau and Marika Koroibete - became household names and won the John Eales Medal a combined four times.

The latest recruit, Suliasi Vunivalu, was named to make his debut off the bench for the Wallabies on Saturday against England at the SCG.

At least in Union he won't get 2 outed like he did in NRL State Of Origin. Because in Union everybody jumps on you ( sometimes Booth teams at the same time ) and God help you if you score a try and don't get on your feet quick enough then you're dead man

 

[Jabba]

Ahead of the 2003 World Cup the Wallabies pinched three of the NRL’s biggest players.

Now Rugby Australia, with a British and Irish Lions series in 2025 and a World Cup in 2027 to be played on home soil, wants to do it again.

One of the targets on Rugby Australia’s hit list is NSW Blues back Matt Burton.

RA chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the governing body was interested in luring the Blues back to the game when his contract expires with the Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of 2023.

Burton is on the hit list created by Rugby Australia’s high performance committee for Andy Marinos (Rugby Australia CEO),” McLennan told foxsports.com.au.


The versatile back, who plays five-eighth for the Bulldogs but can play at fullback and centre, is understood not to want to take up a one-year extension with the Bulldogs at the end of next year having made the move from Penrith.

One of Burton’s strengths is his versatility, but his extraordinary booming kick offers him a point of difference.

Nor is there a concern over his injury history, with the Blues centre, who starred during State of Origin 2 in Perth on debut, a physical presence standing in the front-line.

Burton, 22, played rugby at school and grew up in the bush.


He would command a $1 million deal, but given his pedigree and versatility it could be a strong strategic play particularly given the Wallabies have few options at fullback.

Also on Rugby Australia’s hit list is Roosters star Joseph Suaalii, who starred at schoolboy level where he attended The King’s College.

With a Lions series and home World Cup to look forward to, RA is expected to bank $100m.

With private equity around the corner too, the governing body is assessing whether to try and lure a couple of big names to the sport to help generate more media exposure and success on the field.

Two of the Wallabies’ past three NRL converts - Israel Folau and Marika Koroibete - became household names and won the John Eales Medal a combined four times.

The latest recruit, Suliasi Vunivalu, was named to make his debut off the bench for the Wallabies on Saturday against England at the SCG.

These people don't stop

 

[Dingo]

They still play rugby?

 

[Grunthos]

Well, they are not supporting the grassroots at the local club level preferring to put the money into the super teams so get what you can from where ever you can.

 

[wendog33]

Unless he is also their new line out champion, as well as kicker, he is too tall and fit for the Wallabies.

Not short, fat or one dimensional enough for Australia's national rah rah team.

 

[Jarrad El Hickey]

Why won’t anyone let the dogs just have one nice thing lol, we get our first star player in 10 years and we’ve got 15 other clubs, the NFL, AFL and now Rugby after him ffs

 

[Howie B]

It’s just Buzz the old flog trying to destabilise us again because of his hatred for Gus.

It’s embarrassing

 

[Ant2611]

Did you know Burton grew up in the bush

Probably came out of one wjen he was born...........Sorry ladies....

 

[bradtalo]

Threats of him signing with the NFL, now ARU. Next will be AFL. Some people want us to spend 1M a season or more on Burto when he's worth about 600 at the moment. If we're spending that amount we might as well make a serious play for Munster who'se an even better player / gamebreaker

 

[Moedogg]

It’s just Buzz the old flog trying to destabilise us again because of his hatred for Gus.

It’s embarrassing

Probably the most hated guy in league. A week doesn't go by without 2 or 3 people abusing him on Twitter and getting blocked.

 

[Dogmonster]

Ah no chance Burton to Union, he hates the game like most people.
And his dad loves the Bulldogs and wont allow him to leave, would be bad manners, country folk dont do that shit.

 

[alchemist]

is rugby in Australia still a thing?

 

[CQDog]

Union is trash. Seriously dont get how people like it.

 

[Philistine]

If you just want to cruise and get easy cash to do fuck all and just kick the ball a long way, go to the NFL, not RahRah. The NFL will pay you in gold bullion. Australian Rugby will pay you in bottle caps and used band-aids.

If they pay you at all. A couple of years ago, they were so far on the bones of their arses, they had to pay Israel Folau his settlement in a series of installments. The article I read didn't put the blame directly on Raelene, but it wasn't hard to read between the lines. Deja Vu, anyone?

 

[doggieaaron]

Why cant we ever get players that just negotiate in house and stay like joey manu at roosters,cleary

 

[Shnissss]

If they pay you at all. A couple of years ago, they were so far on the bones of their arses, they had to pay Israel Folau his settlement in a series of installments. The article I read didn't put the blame directly on Raelene, but it wasn't hard to read between the lines. Deja Vu, anyone?

I don’t think much has changed. I know for a fact that union was in a very bad way financially. Also plenty of nice fat contracts done with old boys of union as suppliers etc which didn’t help them. Really unsure of the appeal. I guess most people don’t know or care about what goes on behind the scenes