If the NRL sticks to it's 10-year ban for players for signing with R360, Rugby Australia and the Wallabies will be the big winners, says dual international Mat Rogers.
As Broncos star Payne Haas weighs up his options to stay in the 13-man game, Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen opted to leave their clubs mid-contract, amid buzz they'll be part of the new rebel competition.
The NRL's tough approach in banning players has reportedly convinced several players to stay in rugby league, however, Rogers believes the NRL's hardline policy will only aid the rival code.
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He said if R360 struggled financially and the NRL stood firm on the proposed bans, players like Lomax and Papenhuyzen would be prime candidates to sign with Rugby Australia and challenge for Wallabies selection.
"All this talk about will they make it or not, it's not an issue at all," Rogers told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Lomax and Papenhuyzen were freaks in rugby league, and if they put in the same amount of time and effort in rugby, they'll have the same success.
"The codes are not that different. Ryan Papenhuyzen's goal every time he gets the ball is to make a break and score a try. He'll have the same goal in rugby. It will be the same story for Zac.
"Look at what Max Jorgensen does for the Wallabies. He's been a shining light the last 12 months, and Lomax and Papenhuyzen fit into that category – they only need a little bit of space to create a lot. I've got no doubts they'll succeed.
"The bigger issue for them now is if the league concedes and allows them to return [if R360 does not survive].
"Some of the people I've spoken to in the game are quite happy about the NRL's 10-year ban. If R360 falls over, rugby will have two superstars unable to return [to league]. There will be a new home for them in Australia.
"You could have half a dozen guys from the NRL unable to return. There's the option to play in the provincial system [Super Rugby], then maybe go on to play for the Wallabies."
A complicating factor in Rogers' argument is that Rugby Australia has announced that any player who joins R360 will not be eligible to play for the Wallabies.
Lomax and Papenhuyzen loom as potential test cases.
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