Let’s talk about the three Rs as they applied to the NRL over the weekend, if we can count Thursday night as part of the weekend these days, since that is when the round starts – Radradra, the Roosters and the rookie.
It’s just plain wrong to think that, as the rules currently stand, Parramatta winger Semi Radradra is eligible to play for Australia in a Test match but not for NSW in the State of Origin series.
So he could make his Test debut in the Anzac Test against New Zealand on May 6 and even if he has a blinder there he would have to look on with the rest of us when the Blues take on Queensland in Origin I on June 1.
People used to complain – and some still do – about how the representative schedule was altered to have the Test match played ahead of the Origin series, instead of the other way around. Origin was supposed to be an audition for the Test team.
Well, that argument doesn’t seem to matter so much when you get ridiculous things happening like the situation with Radradra. He can only audition for the Test team via Parramatta and he was magnificent for the Eels in their dominant win over Canterbury on Friday night.
The Origin eligibility rules have been changed to this degree, locking a player like Radradra out when he would have been eligible under previous rules, because over the years both NSW and Queensland were intent on pushing the envelope to try to get around the rules and field certain players.
It would be a shame if that means we’ll never see Radradra play Origin, because he was made for it.
I’m not sure what Sydney Roosters are made for this season, after their awful start to it.
After their 40-0 loss to North Queensland on Thursday night they’ve now been hammered by the last two premiers – South Sydney beat them 42-10 – and also went down narrowly to hopefuls Canberra.
They’ve lost some star players to other clubs and they’ve got other stars out because of injury and Mitchell Pearce’s suspension, but they’ve still got some good players in and the experienced players need to do more to make the entire team lift. Their defence has been positively awful at times.
The Roosters have reportedly kept $600,000 clear in their salary cap to try to sign Jarryd Hayne in the second half of this season, in case his NFL dream goes up in smoke between now and the June 30 signing deadline.
They should have used that money to sign a couple of better players than the ones they are being forced to use in the early rounds.
The Roosters might be gone as finals chances before they find out whether Hayne is a possibility for part of this season. It seems like a fairly desperate plan and my bet is Hayne will get another season with the San Francisco 49ers anyway.
Finally, it’s always great to see outstanding young talent emerge and Te Maire Martin was a fantastic case in point for Penrith against Brisbane on Saturday night.
His performance in a key position in the halves had already been good and then he not only came up with his team’s last try but kicked the deciding field goal in a 23-22 win.
The enthusiasm of fresh-faced youth was there for all to see in Martin’s post-match interviews, as he talked about his excitement and how tough it was in first grade and that “at halftime I felt like I’d just played two games and I’ve never wanted to spew so bad in my life”.
We’re obviously going to see a hell of a lot more of this kid.
Lewl
Guest
Semi isn't eligible for Origin, and nor sure he be, for one simple reason: HE IS FIJIAN. Bloody leave it.
Karlos
Guest
He is a Fijian. Simple.
In brief
Guest
So you're telling me the NRL's best winger is a product of netball? I honestly don't know his background but given no one is willing to mention it assumed it was rugby union.
Noel
Guest
Anyone who suggests that a player of foreign extraction who did not grow up in this country , play junior football at a school here and go into grade here bis eligable for either QLD or NSW IS DEMENTED OR DESPERATE . Semi is e great footballer but cannot play Origer for either state and that is the way it will remain . Next someone will want Sam Burgess to play for them . and then we may have a look ata a couple of NFL players , they could be handy . Rediculous .
Joel
Roar Rookie
it may have been a trial for australian selection a long long...long time ago, but in terms of build up and quality of play etc. origin has taken that mantle. international footy is seen more as a sideshow. Origin obviously excludes a massive amount of quality players but it has always done that. The selection or non selection of those players is not impacting on the commercial success of the series so the NRL, ARL, NSWRL, QRL won't care even a little about the selection criteria being rubbish.
J
Guest
How will Fiji ever be a good side if anytime they have a decent player Australia selects them!
J
Guest
This "tier 1" and "tier 2" business does not exist. If Foran or Sam Burgess wanted to play for origin it'd be the exact same case as Radradra - they'd have to switch their allegiance from their country to Australia.
Al
Guest
The issue isn't so much that Semi isn't eligible, but that every year we have a couple more top level internationals in the NRL that we want to see in rep games more often. The All Stars game is great to see some of the England internationals get a rep run - surely the solution is to pump up international RL more? Or more representative series? What about putting together an team of the best Brits in the comp (Brits in Aus, can we call them "The Convicts"?), a rest of Aus team, and Pacific Islands/PNG and they can play a tri series alongside Origin on dedicated rep weekends.
J
Guest
Difference was Lam actually grew up in Queensland. Radradra moved to NSW to play rugby league and has already played for Fiji. He's as New South Welsh as Sam Burgess.
Roostermark
Guest
The 600k quoted would be ample as the TPA's aren't included in the 600k.
Roostermark
Guest
Well it won't be with Parramatta either as per their cap issues, as a Rooster supporter I don't want him as we have enough young guns coming through that only need experience and this season will provide that.
bjt
Guest
"It would be a shame if that means we’ll never see Radradra play Origin, because he was made for it". It would be a shame if he ever does play origin, because it will mean there would be zero integrity left in the contest. Aren't we all forgetting about Luke Keary's attempt to be eligible for Queensland? It was stomped on by the NRL and NSW media, but now we have NSW media wanting a Fijian playing! There is probably no better example of the hypocrisy of the NSW media. Yes, it was gray and they made rules to stop the whinging that was dominating the concept. Now they (NSW media) are proposing to start it up again. What if it we were talking about having him play for Queensland? This is just garbage to sell newspapers. Same as usual.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
No, it's not Australia's fault. But it does create blinkers on what constitutes potential.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
More global? England, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, PNG, Serbia, France, Lebanon, Samoa, Tonga, Wales, Russia etc etc The game is already 'global'.
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Milford was born in Qld , the sport needs to stand on its own feet and stop picking teams almost entirely on heritage
Fiddlesticks
Guest
There is not one bit of truth in your babble. But you love conspiracy theories , you think the NRL was twisting his arm when he signed allegiance ?
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Not our fault we can afford to pay more
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Let the man choose himself and do r blame Australia
Fiddlesticks
Guest
No sporting organisation uses those rules at 16yo People the world over move countries and play for their new country Only in RL do we see people like you want different laws in a desperate attempt to make the game more global
Rossco
Guest
Turbowed: So the Burgess boys should be allowed to play for NSW? And James Graham et al? Ridiculous. It would lose its name of Origin if players could come from anywhere but NSW and Qld.