By Andrew Watson
February 10th 2010 @ 2:03am
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Should All Stars and WCC be moved to end of the season?
With the All Stars game nearly upon us, and the World Club Challenge only weeks away, the question must be asked whether the timing is right.
While there seems to be plenty of hype and tickets sold for this weekend’s NRL All Stars Vs Indigenous All Stars, there seems to be an emphasis on players withdrawing too easily.
Without doubting the severity of injuries, one wonders if this game was being played as the last game of the year, how many players would force themselves onto the field?
The same can be said for the World Club Challenge.
Players like Cooper Cronk and Brett White have virtually been ruled out six weeks prior to the game. If this game was a serious event, and again at the end of the season, you also have to wonder if these players would be available, or in this instance, work twice as hard off the field to ensure they are fit for this match.
The World Club Challenge also has a different spin. With various players now moved on to other clubs, neither team sheet will be as it was for their respective Grand Finals and living up to the billing of 2010 World Club Champions.
Why can’t these games be played in the two weeks between international matches at season end, with the WCC being played in the hemispere where the international games are scheduled?
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Mick from Giralang said | February 10th 2010 @ 6:08am | Report comment
Cooper Cronk has had surgery on his groin and will miss the first three or four rounds of the competition proper. Brett White has had a shoulder reconstruction and will also not make the start of the season.
It’s going to be a tough start to the season for the defending premiers. As well as coping with a long injury toll, their first four games will be on the road until their new stadium is ready.
M1tch said | February 10th 2010 @ 8:06am | Report comment
the international calendar is too packed now..pre season is the only time for these games
ScottWoodward.me said | February 11th 2010 @ 11:46pm | Report comment
The All Stars game is a goldmine for the NRL as it clashes with the start of the RU season and guess who has got all the headlines?
Andrew Watson said | February 12th 2010 @ 8:17am | Report comment
Interesting point Scott.
I popped into my local pub yesterday to ask if they will have the Super 14 playing on Friday. They didnt even know?
There doesnt seem to be much hype about the start of the Super 14 season at all this year.