Whatever claptrap the NRL might spout about the Danny Buderus situation being about salary cap rules, the reality is the most insular code of all just exposed the enormous chip it continues to carry on its shoulder.
Still pumped up with the self-righteous hot-air from the return of lost sheep Israel Folau, the jumpy NRL administration and its six month ‘interim’ CEO decided to flex its localised muscle and teach the tweed-coat wearers a lesson by humiliating one of their own greatest stars.
The obviously forced Buderus statement is baffling. If you didn’t know the offence, and were guessing what you thought it might have been based on the gravity of the apology, you’d swear Buderus had punched a fan or been busted mainlining stanozolol.
“I wish to apologise to the NRL, the Knights, their stakeholder’s (sic) and fans, for any offence I caused.
“I love our game and I love our club, but I accept that it was an error of judgement for which I take full responsibility.
“Today I have contacted the NRL to personally apologise and I accept whatever steps they believe are needed to repair any damage I have caused.”
Offence? Error of judgement? Damage? Are they for real? How touchy are these dinosaurs in the NRL that they are offended by one of their boys in a rugby training shirt?
The fact here (aside from the certainty that Buderus’s apology was forced upon him by an NRL-paid spin-doctor with rubbish punctuation) is that the paranoid NRL has made the worst of all possible calls.
Had it been smart enough, or visionary enough, it could have used Buderus as a shining example of the desirability of NRL-bred skills in other codes.
“Look at our boys! Once again we’re in demand by other codes, because rugby league breeds the best! We have the qualities that all the others want!”
Instead, it jumped at its own shadow and flew into a whimpering fit of imaginary damage control – imaginary because there was no damage in the first place.
In the modern world of professional football, coaches cross codes, clubs and countries every day of the week. The fans don’t care, but the old farts running rugby league have been in McCarthy mode ever since Super League. Someone should tell them the war’s over… and they won.
Buderus is one of the most respected footballers Australia has produced in any code. He has played over 300 first-grade games in the NRL and Super League. He holds the record for most games as captain of NSW in State of Origin.
As testament to his durability, also holds the record for the most consecutive Origin games for NSW (21). He has 24 Kangaroo caps, including two tours, and captained the international Exiles to victory over England in the international Origin match in 2011, ten years after winning a premiership with Newcastle in 2001.
Not only is Buderus a great captain and fantastic all-round player, but he has consistently been the best ambassador possible for the NRL and the game of rugby league. There has never been a whiff of a scandal around him, despite being in the game during several less-than-savoury episodes with teammates at club and rep level.
He deserves better and his game had a golden opportunity to support him and start him off in a coaching career which undoubtedly would have resulted in him becoming an NRL coach at some level.
But faced with the chance to champion one of their own – and hype the NRL legend in the process – they inexplicably chose to do the exact opposite and humiliate one of their best and most humble servants.
It can only be paranoia.
Rules are made to be broken, and an administration with a skerrick of imagination would have seen the expansionist marketing opportunity that was ripe within the temporary Buderus appointment.
Actually, had they just done nothing at all, the story would have gone nowhere inside 24 hours. By reacting, they’ve simply given it oxygen.
Unfortunately for Buderus, Bennett, the Brumbies, and the fans of both codes, the sizeable chip on the collective NRL shoulder once again showed why the game continues to struggle outside east Australia, Auckland, Port Moresby and Wigan.
Haz
Guest
Reminds me of the Coca-Cola Rugby League Sevens tournaments in the 90s, when the Pepsi-sponsored Sea Eagles won the tournament 2 or 3 years in a row. I still remember Geoff Toovey's grin when he thanked their major sponsor.
Much Wenlock
Guest
I think you mean The Twickenham sevens. There is little correlation between a team being allowed to enter another codes tournament and the Buderus case.
Much Wenlock
Guest
"AFL does or used to have an International rules thing. Rugby League even for its pseudo internationality is actually more Australian-only minded than the native code" Those statements are unworthy of any reasonable response.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
There's only on post by me ATT,FHS.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Try the land of the croissants for a start - 5 years banning,Nearly 50 of non recognition and non govt support.
Emric
Guest
I'm not sure about the Australian schools CC but in New Zealand the school i went to now has a league team when non existed when i went to school - Anyway isn't this a two way street - how many public schools in Australia have Rugby Union teams? Perhaps there is a little bit of both ways A interesting side note - the NZRU has recieved a 15 million dollars a year deal with AIG which is going to be poured into NZ grassroots and ITM Cup Rugby - which is going to put more pressure on Rugby League in New Zealand to keep up, the question is how will the ARU compete with a billion dollar NRL ? I don't know its hypothetical i guess
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
So is the "chip on the shoulder"description.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I agree Emric,I am just responding to the "chip on the shoulder"decsription,and the reason some believe fans within the code ,get defensive. I also agree on the future,but it appears you better have a chat with the old boyl/ru Independent school councils ,because they still hold the grudge against rl.We are now at the start of the 21st century,yet they still are living in the mid 50s.Entertain the thought of rl? No way. Chip on the shoulder,grudge,can be levelled at them .
clipper
Guest
Sometimes you make a lot of sense, oikee - even if it isn't very often.
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
What post is that?
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
Maybe you can tell us which country did that to rugby league again?
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
Its getting a bit old this league is the victim look at me blah blah.
Emric
Guest
Crosscoder. Neither side can make calms to being perfect and both sides have worked hard to hurt the other. we could go back 100 years about who did what to whom and when but League and Union have both moved to protect their vital interests over the years. However, if there is to be a bright new future for both codes then we need to put that past behind us (and you have to admit Leagues hold onto the grudges far longer then union has) and basically move forward we must remember and realize we are all rugby regardless of what ruleset being used
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Care to dispute my post of 11th November at 1.05pmr and dissprove same!
Renegade
Guest
This is a very, very poor article....un-balanced and crappy journalism, it's just drivel containing absolutely zero research. Step your game up Andrew.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
ch10 andch7 would have fought over it.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I would be really interested to know Mr Taylor,the countries where another code lobbied a govt to have ru banned.. A code failing because of bad mgt or lack of interest is one thing,a code that was doing Ok and denied insurance another.
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
That's the problem, you know the truth "always and forever" as the song goes.
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
Ummm, I wonder what will had happen hadn't the American pull through. I wonder, I wonder.
Mr Taylor
Roar Rookie
The same thing happen to many sports in many countries including rugby league and rugby union, they come, they dissappear and then they make a come back. Playing the victim will only put more stress on than already has.