MELBOURNE Storm star Greg Inglis has been told he could earn more than $1 million a season as an NFL punter amid fears the NRL is set to become a breeding ground for rival codes in other countries.

While Inglis is not interested in playing NFL and insists he would never consider switching to rugby union, the approach highlights the growing threat the NRL faces from cashed-up sports overseas.

That concern was reinforced yesterday by Inglis' teammate Israel Folau, who said he would be tempted to follow the riches late in his career if rugby union clubs came knocking.

The NRL has suffered a massive player drain to British Super League in recent years and is now facing a new threat from rich European rugby union clubs, highlighted by Penrith winger Luke Rooney's deal with French union club Toulon — $1.2 million over two years for a non-Origin player.

Australian representative Folau, who joins Brisbane on a massive deal next season, said he would consider a change to union once he had achieved all he could in league. "Probably some time down the track when my career is almost over, the money … will be pretty tempting and I think it plays a part in most players' decisions," Folau said.

"Obviously they don't have a salary cap or anything like that. It (the money) is pretty tempting … and that's why players are leaving … and I think you'll see a few more NRL players leave down the track because of that reason."

"I enjoy playing league at the moment, but I wouldn't say no. I'd leave that as an option as well but not any time soon. I see myself playing league hopefully for the next six to eight years."

Inglis would not swap to rugby, which he played at high school, along with league. "No, not at all," he said. "I wouldn't go to union no matter how much they offer. I don't have the passion for it that I have for league. It's quite simple."

The Storm superstar was not so sure about his future in Melbourne when his contract expired in 2010. "It all depends what happens. It all depends on what they (offer)," he said.

The NFL is another option for players.

Cameron McGillvray, whose Australian Kicking and Punting Academy scouts potential NFL players, said he had approached Inglis' manager. "Initially we focused mainly on AFL players but now I think the NRL players are bigger kickers," McGillvray said.

"Greg has got a great kick on him and with the size of him, I think he would go really well as a punter in the NFL. The minimum wage in the NFL is $US330,000 but eventually he could make more than $1 million."

Club stalwart Matt Geyer said he was worried about the future of rugby league if it could not fend off the new threat from rugby union. "The game might be in a bit of a crossroads in four or five years if it continues, so we have to wait and see."