Code-Swapping Epidemic Imminent?

It's been less than two decades since a rugby league player couldn't switch to rugby union, having lost his eligibility for the latter sport by having to audicity to take a wage for his troubles. Those days are gone, now, though, as is evidenced by converts such as Jason Robinson, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Brad Thorn, Wendell Sailor, Ryan Cross, Timana Tahu, Andy Farrel Lesley Vainikolo, Brian Carney, Clinton Schifcofske, Craig Gower, and Andrew Walker (and more). It may be a challenging move, but changing codes has appealed to many in recent years.

The code-swapping epidemic appears to be finding a higher gear, though, with news that Penrith Panthers back Luke Rooney is bound for French club Toulon, while rumors swirl that St. George Illawara star Mark Gasnier is headed to French club Stade Francais.

Will player drain increase talk of a hybrid game? There doesn't seem to be much optimism that it would work outside of Australia. The concentration of resources a hyrbid code would bring might be promising in the United States as well, though, where both codes struggle to gain the eyes of fans and a little rugby league physiciality might spice up the rugby product for an audience raised on American football collisions. Any hybrid game is nothing more than talk for now, but perhaps the United States would do well to listen.

Meantime, here's a look at the two latest converts (one rumored) in action: