Rookie Canberra stars Josh McCrone and Daniel Vidot have joined a chorus of players and officials urging the NRL to allow the Raiders to continue their affiliation with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan.
But NSWRL boss Geoff Carr was adamant the Raiders must place their excess players in the NSW Cup once their current agreement with the Magpies expires at the end of next season.
In a move that threatens to spoil a relationship that stems back to 1986, when the Raiders recruited Mal Meninga from the Magpies, the NRL plans to abolish dual registration, which would stop NSW Cup eligible players from playing north of the border.
This would stop the Raiders from sending players to play for Souths Logan, which has acted as the club's reserve grade side for the past two years.
While Raiders chief executive Don Furner has vowed to fight the ruling, Carr said Canberra would be required to either form its own NSW Cup side or establish a partnership with an existing team as part of NSWRL's bid to strengthen the ailing competition.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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