Martin Offiah is advising Kyle Eastmond to become a star in rugby league before even thinking about switching codes.
Saints youngster urged to learn his trade by agent
Martin Offiah is advising Kyle Eastmond to become a star in rugby league before even thinking about switching codes.
The St Helens youngster earned rave reviews this past season and having scored all his team's points during the 18-10 Grand Final defeat to Leeds at Old Trafford, he's expected to be the natural successor to outgoing scum-half Sean Long at Knowsley Road.
However his explosive pace, superb passing skills and kicking qualities have reportedly caught the attention of Guinness Premiership clubs Sale and Wasps, who are believed to be interested in making a move for the 20-year-old when his contract expires at the end of next season.
Offiah acts as Eastmond's agent and believes it would be unwise for his promising client to make a premature move to rugby union before he reaches his full potential.
"Kyle Eastmond is just playing himself into the player that he's going to be," said the Wigan legend, speaking ahead of the launch of his new book 'Martin Offiah's 50 Of The Best' next month.
"In an ideal world he'll be the heir apparent to Sean Long at St Helens but I don't know what's going in the mind of the Saints board.
"I, like everyone else involved in rugby league, know his talents and I'm sure St Helens do too, but if they don't value him like that then he'll be somewhere else - it's as simple as that.
"A move to rugby union is an opportunity which may arise somewhere down the line in the future.
"I believe if you're a young player in a certain system - whether it's rugby league or rugby union - you should stay it that system and become a star. Then you can move on and do what you want."
Role model
Offiah points to Lee Smith, who is now heading for Wasps having signed off in style at the end of his four-year spell at Leeds with two tries in their third successive Grand Final triumph, as an example of when crossing codes is a chance worth taking but insists he would never advise it.
He said: "Someone like Lee Smith has done all there is to do in rugby league so now he wants a new challenge somewhere else and perhaps he can earn more money out of it. That's the ideal way to do it.
"But I'd never advise anyone to change.
"When I was young I wanted to become the best rugby league player I could be and the game gave me the opportunity to make a living out of it and not have to work.
"To a certain degree you are a product of your time, because back then rugby union was amateur so I forced to go to league.
"But if you're a young player, going into a new code with no previous experience can be a massive risk because you can get lost in the system.
"And you have to make sure you've matured as a person as well as a player before thinking about switching codes.
"And it should never be about money because if you're a good player you'll make money which ever code you're in."
Red Rose dream
Offiah does accept the potential international acclaim that union can offer - as experienced by Sale coach Jason Robinson - is a major pulling power for those tempted to make the changeover from league.
Robinson enjoyed a prolific career with Wigan during their era of dominance in the 1990s before permanently switching to rugby union in 2000 and from then he went on to be a key part of England's World Cup winning side of 2003 as well as representing the British and Irish Lions on two tours.
Offiah said: "Jason Robinson has set the marker of what can be achieved and has become a true legend in both codes - you just can't do better than what he did in league as well as winning the World Cup in union. He's the benchmark.
"But as far as Kyle is now, his future isn't really in his hands so there's no point him thinking about it right now. He's got to concentrate on playing well.
"The plan is for Kyle to stay at St Helens and for Saints to show faith in him. He's going to have options without a doubt but hopefully he won't need to worry about it."
Signed copies of 'Martin Offiah's 50 Of The Best' - 50 of the greatest rugby league tries of all time - are now available on pre order at www.sjdent.com and will be in all good bookshops from November 12.
