NRL clubs are powerless to stop their cashed up rugby union counterparts poaching the competition's talent, according to Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner.
The Raiders missed out on recruiting Penrith winger Luke Rooney after the former Australian representative snared a two-year deal worth a reported $1.2million with French rugby union club Toulon.
Rooney joins former Western Force Super 14 scrumhalf Matt Henjak at the big-spending French club.
Furner said it was impossible to compete with cashed-up European union clubs, as they operate with no salary cap system.
He predicted more NRL talent would disappear overseas in coming years.
NSW and Australian centre Mark Gasnier's interest in moving to union has been well documented this year, while former Penrith skipper Craig Gower is currently playing for French club Bayonne.
''It's just impossible to compete against that kind of money,'' Furner said yesterday.
''Ten years ago the players never left league to go to union, but now not only are they leaving, they're leaving to go to club football in Ireland and France.
''It's just an extra job opportunity for them, it's an extra competitor for NRL clubs competing for players.
''You've not just got the 16 clubs, you've got Australian Rugby Union and Super 14 rugby union that can take them and then all these clubs in England and France that are just loaded.
''It is frustrating ... [Rooney] would have come here, but that offer just came out of the blue.''
Player manager Lance Thompson said managers would be ''mad'' not to look offshore, when players could triple their earnings.
''With those type of dollars flying around I think agents would be crazy not to ring those French teams,'' he said.
''If a guy like Luke Rooney could get $600,000 a year it would be interesting to see what other guys could get.''
Furner said the club was unlikely to attempt to recruit another outside back for next season, preferring to promote talented youngsters such as Justin Carney, Josh Dugan and Daniel Vidot.
With Rooney gone the Raiders have stepped up their efforts to retain form fullback David Milne, offering him a two-year contract.
Thompson, Milne's manager, said his client had fielded several offers from rival NRL and English Super League clubs, but was close to agreeing to terms with the Raiders.
''We're just waiting to field a few more offers and then we'll see what happens from there,'' Thompson said.
''He's real close to agreeing to extend with the Raiders, there's just a few little fine points that we've got to work out and then it could be done.
''There are a few clubs in the NRL and overseas that are interested in Dave, which is testament to the way he's been playing.''
The Raiders are eager for Milne to remain in Canberra, with the 22-year-old in stellar form since switching to fullback midway through the season.
Furner admitted Milne's excellent recent form had forced the club's hand.
''He wasn't really considered as a fullback at the start of the year but it changes quickly,'' Furner said. ''He's been very impressive.''
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