Morley backs NRL for youngsters

Warrington and England enforcer Adrian Morley believes more English youngsters should try their luck in the NRL.

Morley, 31, forged himself a considerable reputation whilst at the Sydney Roosters with whom he collected an NRL premiership in 2002.

And after George Burgess became the latest English player to make the move down under, the Salford-born prop says the NRL is the ideal training ground.

“I think it’s great for the development of English players,” he told AAP.

“It’s no secret that New Zealand as a rugby league nation becomes a lot stronger when they have players plying their trade in the NRL.

“I’m not suggesting for one minute that we send a load of English players over there but I’d like to see more younger players go over. They seem to develop a bit better over there.

Burgess joins his brother Sam, Gareth Ellis, Mark Flanagan (Wests) and Mike Worrincy (Penrith) as the fifth English player to make the move to the NRL in the last two years.

Halifax-born Gareth Widdop is currently plying his trade with Melbourne, after emigrating to the Victorian capital at 16.

“Both Sam and Gareth (Ellis) gave the rest of the England boys confidence with the way they handled it,” added Morley.

“I wouldn’t like to see a mass exodus, where 20 or 30 players go over, because that would weaken our competition but I don’t see any harm in it at all.

“It would be good for the national side and also the life experience is fantastic.”