League converts, a failed experiment?

For the last 10 years or so, we have witnessed a number of league players "switching codes" to rugby union. This "trend", made possible with the professionalization of rugby union, has provided with players to almost every team, but it is mostly the ARU, NZRU and RFU who have beneffited(?) from it. Or have they?

Let's face it, great rugby league names have most often failed to impress in rugby union. Lote Tuqiri was sacked by the ARU when he did not even make the Wallabies and still, he was their best-paid player. Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Lesley Vainikolo, Craig Gower, Sonny Bill Williams... They are all better known for the hype around them (or their contracts) than for their feats in Rugby.

Jason Robinson and Brad Thorn are quite the opposite. Players who have been succesful in union after the switch, players that show it is possible to be succesful in both codes; while Wendell Sailor and Matt Rogers didn't quite like the discipline that union required and came back to league despite more or less succesful union careers.

What is the norm, then? John O'Neill from ARU seems to long ago have made his mind. Once he realised his policy of "let's provide us with some talent from league using our wealthy dollars" was not exactly taking his wallabies where he wanted, the ARU changed their views. No more high-profile contracts from league converts? Does all this mean no more league players will make the switch? Craig Gower seems to have a starting spot with Italy, while Sonny Bill Williams seems to have no real chance of playing for the All Blacks.

Still, players are switching to union, but they do it in a more quietly way, like Michael Witt and Will Chambers. It seems in the end, that the two codes are less and less similar, as the time goes forward. It seems, in the end, that the time of high contracts to league converts is coming to an end.