Graham Lowe: Time for rugby and league to loan players

Any NRL team would have Lima Sopoaga. Photo / Getty

On Saturday evening I was a guest of the Northland Rugby Union at Toll Stadium for their home ITM clash against Southland.

I have to say, it was a great night that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Southland won 27-18 with the difference probably being the class of Southland's All Black Lima Sopoaga.

It was the first time I've seen play him live, and if I had my rugby league coaching hat on, I'd certainly be chasing him hard, what a good player. He'd make any NRL team.

But Northland also played with a lack of field position, and while I'm not trying to make out I'm a Wynne Gray, they needed more of it to have any chance of winning.

But the game also reminded me of the depth of good footy players in our country, and there were some good players out there. I'd like to think that one day in the near future we'd see the different blends of rugby players being able to swap codes on loan.

I'm of the view that everything should be done to ensure that whatever rugby version is representing New Zealand, be it union, league, sevens or touch, that team has the best chance of winning, by making sure the best players are playing, whichever code they are from.

Shaun Johnson and Manu Vatuvei are good examples. Gee, why wouldn't you have them at the Olympics with the All Blacks sevens team.

Those two would add great value.

There are many other examples but sadly just as many administrators and coaches lacking vision.

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I watched a replay of the Warriors game once I got home and really, what can I say. The scoreline says it all.