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.”
Sam
Guest
Yes they get money for the Nines, there was an article about how Wade Graham wasn't going to share any of his prize money with Luke Lewis who pulled out at the last minute.
Sam
Guest
Players don't get paid to play finals. If you sign a two year deal with a team and they miss the finals you'll get paid the same the year later if they make the finals. They can get a Grand Final bonus if they win the comp.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
His maths are fine, account for finals.
Jeremy
Guest
"The Socceroos are now one of the three most important national teams, behind only perhaps only cricket and rugby union." The Kangaroos brand is dead. http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/seven-better-names-for-the-socceroos-than-the-socceroos-20150130-130t8a.html
Jeremy
Guest
Smith should be more worried that having the kangaroos never play now means that "the Roos" in the Australia media now means the Socceroos. No one in NRL cares that was a fight lost to soccer without Gallop and co even having to fire a shot. Where is the ARL?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Actually players are paid to play for their club any given game that they're wanted. Be it nines, WCCs, trials, regular season, or finals.
The Barry
Roar Guru
No the opposite is true - if the NRL and clubs want the players to play more games then they need to pay them more.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
"Players don’t get paid to play finals football either." Yes they do. Clubs recruit and pay players to win premierships. Like I said: players don't get paid to play nines. They get paid to win premierships.
Greg
Guest
Players don't get paid to play finals football either. If your team is playing though you are expected to be available, same with the Nines. The Nines will be part of the next broadcast package and hence increase the cash available for salary cap increases, remove the Nines like Smith wants to and you will lower the value of the next deal resulting in lower payments to players.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Players don't get paid to play nines. Contracts are negotiated purely on what the player will bring to a club during a regular season. I've yet to see a coach come out and say something like "We'd love to have him here at the club. He'd bring added speed out wide and hopefully increase our chances at the 9s". No players value is dictated on what they can bring to the nines. Clubs just don't care about that. That's not why they recruit/pay players.
djcooper
Roar Guru
His maths may be wrong but players still back up for their clubs in the same week as origin which is a huge concern. The amount of elite players raising concern about this issue should be enough for the NRL to take notice and hopefully Shane Richardson's appointment will address it.
Greg
Guest
“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". Your maths is wrong Cam Smith, players who play Origin are stood down from club games meaning they can't play 24 games for their club. “The amount of games we are playing is a huge concern for the players.” Supply and demand Cameron. If you want to be paid more you have to work more, if you work less you are going to be paid less, are you prepared to take a pay cut? Didn't think so, back to work champ.