NRL urged to thwart stem of players

Canberra is the latest NRL club to call for a Cricket Australia-style player valuation system to prevent rugby league's best players from being poached by rugby union.

Raiders chief executive Simon Hawkins has echoed comments from St George Illawarra counterpart Peter Doust, who is concerned about an ARU offer for his star centre Mark Gasnier. Several other clubs, including Manly, Brisbane, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers, believe the proposal warrants consideration.

Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga, Sydney Roosters stars Anthony Minichiello and Ryan Cross and Gasnier have all indicated they would consider switching codes.