Rugby Unions on both sides of the globe should send the Brisbane Broncos a thank-you note, according to coach Wayne Bennett, who says the success of code-swappers Israel Folau, Ben Te'o and Karmichael Hunt can be traced back to their time at the NRL powerhouse. 
The Broncos could have three of their former players in action at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, with Folau a certainty for the Wallabies and Hunt a chance to earn his first cap also.
England could unleash former NRL forward Te'o as well after he switched codes in the wake of South Sydney's 2014 premiership victory, making it a hat-trick of converts that have made their way to Test rugby from Red Hill.
Rugby has poured vast sums into the recruitment of Folau and then Hunt, who went to the 15-man code via a stint with the AFL's Gold Coast Suns. Folau has become one of the game's genuine stars, while Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has high hopes for Hunt.
But Bennett said it was the habits they learned at the Broncos, not just the work put into them from the rival rugby code, that had made them valuable commodities in union. "It's been a great club, this club, and we've produced a lot of wonderful men out of it. They're all playing another code but the grounding is here in this organisation," Bennett said. "Melbourne [Storm] and ourselves do it better than anybody else, in terms of turning kids out that have the right attitudes to play the game."
The Broncos pride themselves on having a world-class development system but Bennett's comments are bound to irk some in rugby, especially those that have helped Folau and Hunt on their journey towards the national side.
Bennett said he wouldn't be surprised to see any of the club's ex-players return, Hunt and Folau included, should they ever want to make their way back to the NRL.
"Sometimes they have to leave and find out it's not as good outside as it was here. That's why they want to come back lots of times. We're always happy to have them back," Bennett said.
Throwing Te'o in the deep end against the Wallabies has been seen as a risky move by Eddie Jones but Wallabies great George Gregan said he saw no reason why the backrower-turned-centre would not be up to the task.
"He's [Jones] had success, he's had experience at coaching them [converts] and getting the best out of them. He loves rugby league as well, he loves all sports Eddie. If that's something on which he thrives, then Ben will enjoy being coached by Eddie," Gregan said.