NRL: Clubs will die if salaries pushed up - Cleary

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary says Israel Folau's decision to switch codes was a 'no brainer'. Photo / Getty Images

Clubs like the New Zealand Warriors will die if National Rugby League salaries are pushed up to try to retain star players like Israel Folau, coach Ivan Cleary said today.

Cleary said Folau's announced move to new Aussie rules franchise Greater Western Sydney on a four-year contract worth A$1.5 million ($1.85 million) a year was a case of market forces at work.

"As a rugby league guy, I would rather they didn't go, I would rather they stayed, without a doubt," he said of defectors to other codes.

"But if you start pushing the salaries to try to compensate for guys like that, then clubs will die and ours will be one. It's market forces and that's it. What can you do about that?"

Folau, 21, has earned eight caps for Australia and has been part of Queensland's State of Origin series victories over the past two years.

The Brisbane outside back also won a premiership with Melbourne in 2007, although the title has been stripped from the Storm because of salary cap breaches.

Last week, Folau turned down an offer to join new Super rugby franchise the Melbourne Rebels.

Cleary said the AFL was "throwing crazy money" at someone who had never played the game before.

Considering at the size of the offer, it seemed a "no-brainer" for Folau to accept it.

"He's already done just about everything he can [in league]," Cleary said.

"If he wants to, he can come back in the prime of his career. It just sounded like a bit of a no-brainer to me."

Asked if any of the Warriors were contemplating a switch, Cleary replied: "I reckon for $1.5 million they might, but no one's been knocking on the door yet."

Greater Western Sydney are set to enter the AFL in 2012 as the competition's 18th team and will be guided by four-time premiership-winning coach Kevin Sheedy.

Folau joins former fellow Kangaroo, Bronco and Queensland Origin representative Karmichael Hunt in opting to go over to Aussie rules.

Hunt is due to play his first game next month for Gold Coast, who are competing in the lower tier VFL this season before joining the AFL next year.

- NZPA