LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a jaw-dropping code switch move that has rocked the Rugby League world like a hard tackle on the field, Souths star Latrell Mitchell has caught the attention of World Rugby.
The international governing body is eyeing up Mitchell as a potential target as they gear up for the Brisbane Olympics, aiming to bring in superstar talent to elevate the competition.
World Rugby's strategy is clear: they want to lure the best athletes from all football codes to try their hand at sevens rugby, with the promise of Olympic glory beckoning them like a perfectly executed play.
The allure of winning gold medals and joining the ranks of sporting legends like Lionel Messi and LeBron James as Olympic champions is a powerful motivator.
Just as French rugby captain Antoine Dupont sidelined himself from the Six Nations to chase Olympic glory, and Sonny Bill Williams jumped codes to compete in the Rio Games, Australia's men's sevens team is hoping to entice NRL stars like Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, and Reece Walsh to make a bold move onto the global stage of world-class competition.
The path has been paved by former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who blazed a trail by transitioning to sevens rugby in pursuit of Olympic success.
However, the challenge remains in convincing the rugby league and union authorities of the value in allowing their star players to temporarily leave for the sevens game.
World Rugby argues that it's a mutually beneficial arrangement, with the stars gaining wider exposure and potentially attracting new fans to their respective sports.
For NRL and rugby union fans, the prospect of seeing their favorite players in the thrilling sevens format could be just the ticket to ignite their interest in the Games.