The National Rugby League is "considering assisting clubs to recruit players from outside the competition -- even if they can't fit them in their salary cap," according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. While the "radical proposal would not have helped South Sydney retain Sam Burgess," it would have prevented Israel Folau being "lost to rugby union after Parramatta were unable to accommodate him in their salary cap." The idea was one of "nine possible changes to salary cap rules discussed" at a meeting of club bosses. The others included:
- Centrally contracting big-name players through "ambassador" payments from the NRL.
- Including transfer fees, such as the A$300,000 ($269,400) Brisbane paid Canterbury to release fullback Ben Barba, in the cap.
- Rolling the existing marquee player allowance into an increased salary cap.
- Clubs putting up a A$10,000 bond to appeal salary cap rulings and a further A$30,000 bond to take the issue to a hearing.
- Lifting the second-tier salary cap to A$440,000 to avoid situations such as Luke Brooks and Matt Moylan being prevented from playing NRL last year.
- Extending the long-serving player allowance to include those who had played six years with a club (SMH, 2/21).
