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Origin was great, now it's time for the NRL to lift its game

10th July, 2014
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Mal Meninga has always been a winner. (AAP Image/John Pryke)
Expert
10th July, 2014
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Rarely can two coaches like Laurie Daley and Mal Meniga, plus 50,144 rugby league fans, leave Lang Park with big smiles on their faces.

Laid-back Laurie was grinning for ending an eight-year Origin series drought by winning the first two games, and mighty Mal for having his faith restored by Queensland racing in five tries to one for an emphatic 32-8 victory in Origin 3.

Queensland were so good they even saluted the NSW defence that saved another four to five tries. Simply magnificent.

That was the story of Origin 3 – Queensland’s relentless attack, and NSW’s equally relentless defence. And in the end it was another huge tick for rugby league’s Holy Grail, setting up a blockbusting series for 2015.

But Origin can’t be the code’s sole flag-waver, there are many parts of the game that need attention.

It’s a known problem there are some bag eggs in the code who need sorting out. But when at least 98 per cent are really good blokes who are dedicated to the cause, and know how to behave, rugby league shouldn’t suffer by the stupidity of such a small percentage who can’t lift their game.

And that includes the administrators, right from the top.

Chairman of the ARL Commission John Grant must never be allowed near a microphone. Thankfully he was kept well clear of one at the presentation, or he might have congratulated the Queensland Reds on their display.

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There has never been a more invisible CEO than Dave Smith. The Welsh banker knows his rugby, as every boyo does, but he’s well shy of league nous. He should have a chat with John Quayle and David Gallop on how to be available on tap to keep league fans up to speed.

Smith’s latest rare appearance was to suggest more women should be involved at club board level. No argument here, but hardly an earth-shattering expose.

Then there’s Todd Greenberg, the NRL’s head of football. He was so successful for six years as CEO of the Bulldogs, he was a shoe-in for the new job in the admin revamp. But the game needs a recovery from him to shore up what the new NRL is all about.

Finally Jim Doyle, the former New Zealand Rugby League CEO, who was pinched from across the ditch because of his success. But he has no sense of timing. Why would Doyle release yesterday that there are many league players who have been found guilty of illegally betting on rugby league games?

“But I don’t want to release the details today to affect Origin 3 tonight,” was Doyle’s statement yesterday.

Then why, pray tell, did he say anything? Just leave the big announcement until tomorrow, even next week. How could such a senior rugby league administrator be so lacking in lateral vision.

It matters not, Doyle’s heading back to New Zealand to become boss of the Warriors, but he’s left a mark in Sydney he would rather not have set.

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Vast improvement is there for the taking in important areas.

But to Laurie Daley, Mal Meninga, their support staff, and especially the players, thanks for a superb Origin series. It had a bit of everything, not the least of which was massive talent.

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