What a week in rugby league! The Blues name a vastly improved team for Game 2, the Kiwis have to contend with rumours of more players defecting to the Origin series, and David Gallop resigns, somewhat unexpectantly.
To his credit, I think Gallop did a good job under a lot of pressure for the past decade or so.
He made the big decisions when they needed to be made; he always made himself available to explain his actions; and he put the best interests of the game ahead of any other consideration.
His tough stance against the Storm and the Bulldogs was commendable at a time when rugby league was in the media for all the wrong reasons.
And while he certainly didn’t please everyone over the years, it was largely a thankless task which he performed admirably.
All that said, the negative press he had been getting lately and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering within the new Commission, meant that while it was not inevitable that he would walk away, it was hardly shocking to hear the news all the same.
The post-Origin One period has been marred by public infighting within the administrative ranks of the NRL, and it’s no fun getting kicked by both sides when you’re stuck in the middle.
That’s the position Gallop found himself in, and even though he recently signed a four year deal, there were rumors he would go once the Commission was put in place.
Whoever replaces him at the top has the green light to push on some significant changes for the welfare of the game.
The number one priority is to lock down the TV right deal, closely followed by a concerted effort to further infiltrate the Western Suburbs and beyond of Sydney – AFL territory.
Rugby league needs to grow and the greater West remains a largely untapped market.
Another major talking point this week was the stirrings in the press about Kiwi players considering taking the good money on offer and making themselves available to play State of Origin, at the expense of their international careers.
I don’t know that this will happen.
Money is really a secondary consideration for players at this level. The real lure is the intensity of the game itself. And the players should get that same buzz representing their country.
That said, I think the New Zealand rugby league could be more proactive in getting former Kiwi stars involved in talking to young, talented, Australian-based Kiwi players and letting them know just how good it feels to walk out on the field representing your country in a Test match.
Just on Origin, I like the look of the changes that Ricky Stuart has made to his side for Game 2.
Lewis going back to the bench and Gallen staring at lock is a big plus for the side. This will mean that James Tamou will have a lot of more game time.
And, of course, Watmough is a major addition. He should have been there for Game One.
Now the Blues, and their coach, need to quit the complaining about perceived refereeing blunders from the opening match, shut their mouths, and get on with the task at hand: beating the Maroons and setting up an exciting Origin decider in Queensland.
Gary ‘Wiz’ Freeman is one of the great halfbacks in New Zealand rugby league history. Now an outspoken and popular media personality, he joins The Roar as an expert rugby league columnist.
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