Get used to it. That was the message from Australia skipper Cameron Smith to rugby league fans pining over this weekend’s Auckland Nines no shows.
Smith was all smiles when he attended Thursday night’s official NRL season launch in New Zealand.
However, he quickly had a furrowed brow when quizzed on why so many big names had opted out of the second annual Nines tournament – including himself.
Smith has a legitimate excuse as he recovers from the biggest injury that has struck his 13-year NRL career – an ankle niggle.
But Smith admitted NRL players in the future may have plenty of reasons to pull out of major events like the Nines if the current hectic pre-season is not addressed – and soon.
NRL clubs are juggling the sport’s busiest pre-season to date.
The All Stars match on February 13 is back after a one year hiatus to accommodate the Nines.
Then there’s the clubs’ respective pre-season trials.
Plus the World Club Challenge in the UK expanded this year to include the Broncos, Dragons and premiers the Rabbitohs.
And all crammed in before the official NRL opener on March 5.
“This concept was introduced last year and by all accounts it was successful,” Smith told AAP of the Nines.
“But it’s hard to be involved after a full NRL season plus an end-of-year tournament.
“I understand there is a lot of money involved in the game these days but it is a lot faster and more physical.
“People love watching the Nines – but there has to be some give somewhere.”
Smith said he already had the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) on the Nines’ case.
“You can’t ask JT (Johnathan Thurston) and (Greg) Inglis to play 24 games for their club, three Origins, four Tests and back up in the Nines,” he said.
“The amount of games we are playing is a huge concern for the players.”
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