Agent's call for change to stop NRL raiding English junior ranks for free

Harry Rushton has signed for Canberra, though the club has yet to confirm the move

Wigan’s teenage forward Harry Rushton has signed a deal with Canberra for 2021, despite having never played in the first-team.

Melbourne have previously targeted rising prop Ethan Havard, while Morgan Smithies and Ollie Partington have been tracked as NRL outfits look to recruit players earlier in their careers.

The Warriors don’t stand to receive any money when Rushton leaves at the end of this season.

As it stands, if a youngster who is approaching the end of his contract rejects the offer of a new – and improved – deal to join a Super League rival, his new employer must pay compensation to the club which has developed him.

But that rule does not apply for players leaving to move to the NRL or switch codes.

Craig Harrison, who represents many of the competition’s stars including Wigan’s Zak Hardaker and Morgan Smithies, thinks it is unfair.

And he believes more Australian clubs will target English youngsters if it isn’t addressed.

“I must have mentioned it 50 times in the last few years,” said Harrison, who is not Rushton’s agent.

“If we drain our game of the best youngsters, what game will we be left with? I’ve had around 20 of my players approached.

“As soon as England Academy beat the Aussie Schoolboys 2-0 in the last series, I predicted this would happen.

“If a young player left, for example, Leeds to go to Wigan, they have to pay compensation up to £35,000.

“But if he left to go to the NRL or rugby union, he can go for free. How unfair is that? We need to protect our game.”

The situation is aggravated by the fact Super League clubs can’t do the same and target young Australians, due to work visa rules.

“If a player wants to test himself in Australia good luck to him, but it seems only fair clubs are compensated for investing in their development,” said Harrison.

“It should be a level playing field.”