UK clubs eyeing off NRL talent is nothing new, but the latest news out of Rugby League Central could throw a genuine curve ball into the mix.

Plus it could be season’s end for a Burgess brother already and Robert Lui hunts a new deal.

Get all the latest from across the other side of the globe in this week’s edition of Exile Files.

CAP CHANGES COULD SPARK RAIDS

Round 19

Salary cap increases on both sides of the globe — for distinctly different reasons — could see Super League outfits swoop on a host of NRL outcasts next season.

English clubs last week voted to increase the 2018 Super League salary cap from £1.825 million (just over $AU3 million) to £1.9m in 2018, £2m in 2019 and £2.1m in 2020.

Those figures on their own are not enough to entice a flood of NRL talent, not when the salary cap Down Under will be up to three times the amount going in the UK.

But the fact the NRL’s first proposal of an $8.3 million base salary cap next year is well short of the clubs expectations — with some budgeting their retention and recruitment around a $10 million figure — shifts the goalposts significantly.

The latest figure reported by foxsports.com.auhas a 2018 salary cap landing at $9.1 million, which would still leave numerous clubs needing to shed players to get back under the cap.

Penrith for example have been on a high profile retention drive on the understanding they would have $10 million dollars to spend under the cap.

Projections of a smaller overall cap are already causing serious headaches, with Wests Tigers claiming they pulled an offer for Eels-bound pivot Mitch Moses on this basis.

European and Japanese rugby will always be the big fish for any player forced out of the Australian pond.

But Super League clubs with extra cash could well loom as an attractive option for their NRL counterparts if they have to incentivise players to leave — with UK sabbaticals of sorts being discussed in clubland as a distant solution should the situation progress that far.

It’s how Ryan Hoffman ended up helping Wigan to a 2011 Challenge Cup title.

Hoffman played one season in the Super League as Melbourne worked through the fallout of their 2010 salary cap scandal, before the rep back-rower returned to the Storm a year later, playing a key role in their 2012 title.

Tigers’ 2005 premiership winner Liam Fulton did the same to ease salary cap pressure on the joint venture outfit, joining Huddersfiled in 2009 before linking again with the Tigers in 2010.

Super League clubs have also voted to increase the number of marquee spots permitted at each club from one to two, as well as exemptions for bringing new or returning players to the sport.

Executive director Roger Draper has declared the increases will “make a significant difference to helping clubs attract and retain the best talent in this league”, though doubters remain.

“By raising it £50,000, £100,000 per year over the next four years, you’re still not going to be able to compete with an NRL side that can spend up to £5 million,” Great Britain legend Terry O’Connor told Sky Sports.

“You’ve got rugby union that have a salary up of up to £7 million.”

SEASON COULD BE OVER

Luke Burgess during his Manly days. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Catalans Luke Burgess’ 2017 campaign could be over after just five matches following a suspected ACL rupture at the weekend.

The ex-South Sydney and Manly prop will be send for scans after going down in a 37-26 win over Leigh, but the club are fearing the worst for the 30-year-old.

Burgess is joined on the sidelines by forward Jason Baitieri as well, after he suffered a broken wrist that will rule him out for up to 12 weeks.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by Storm football manager Frank Ponissi to discuss the bombshell Cooper Cronk news and what it means for the club.

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EXPATS ON THE BOARD

As usual there were Aussies and Kiwis in everything over the weekend with Kurt Gidley scoring a crucial try for defending premiers Warrington to register their first win of the season — a gutsy 25-14 victory over Leeds.

Ex-Warriors and Raiders winger Bill Tupou bagged a double as Wakefield cruised to an easy win over Widnes, while Salford’s expat contingent had a field day in the Red Devils 54-18 thumping of Hull FC.

Salford ran in 10 tries to jump to second on the ladder as Robert Lui led the way, with Aussies Michael Dobson, Junior Sa’u, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Justin Carney joining him on the scoresheet.

Ex-Sea Eagles and Sharks forward Jesse Sene-Lefao also laid serious claims for play of the round, beating four Wigan defenders en route to the tryline in league leaders Castleford’s 27-10 defeat of the Warriors.

So big, so strong 💪



Four Wigan players couldn't stop the @CTRLFC​ powerhouse from scoring on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/nxSaBG1U4m — Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 9, 2017

LUI KEEN TO STAY AT SALFORD

Still on former Cowboys and Wests Tigers playmaker Lui, he’s keen to remain at Salford long-term, believing the club is building towards “something special”.

Lui comes off contract at the end of the year, but wants to join the likes of fellow ex-NRL players Murdoch-Masila and Sa’u in committing to a new deal.

Salford currently sit fourth on the Super League ladder with five wins from eight games.

“I want to follow in the footsteps of Ben, Junior and everyone else who has signed up long-term,” he told League Express.

Robert Lui during his time with the Cowboys. Picture: Wesley Monts Source: News Corp Australia

“I love this club, it means a lot to me. They gave me a lifeline to play rugby again, and I came over, met some great boys and the coaching staff believe in me so I want to repay that faith they’ve shown in me.

“I feel much more settled now. I feel happy, and I feel comfortable as part of this team. Even though we’ve lost a couple of players due to injury, we’ve got some great combinations and I feel that I’m better this year than I was last year, without a doubt.”

PRAISE FOR TAIA

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham says new signing Zeb Taia has fitted in seamlessly since arriving from Gold Coast.

Taia was involved in a player swap with English backrower Joe Greenwood before the NRL season kicked off and has already had a positive impact at Saints.

“I think Zeb’s settled in really well and influenced how that left edge play,” said Cunningham, told the St Helens Star.

“It’s no coincidence Percy (Mark Percival) is playing really, really well at the minute, and he’s involved in lots of good stuff. That’s because Zeb is playing inside him.

“He’s a really experienced professional and understands the game. That definitely helps and his influence is brilliant. It was great at the weekend, having Matty (Smith) and Zeb in there and they’re saying and doing the right things.

“I knew Zeb would be a good signing for us and I thought he’d really influence. I just didn’t think he’d be this good.”

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