An illuminating round of international rugby league awaits us thanks solely to NRL Clubland, which again charitably yielded to its contractual obligations by allowing the global scene to have a place in the game.
But despite the excitement for showdowns like Tonga’s clash with New Zealand and the Cup of Nations double-header at Leichhardt Oval, the fixtures have been marred by a number of injury withdrawals, some even genuine.
Thankfully the exodus has not mirrored recent years where selfless visionaries like Des Hasler, Ricky Stuart and Shane Flanagan tightly withheld dozens of players like they were being sent to camp at a Saudi Arabian consulate.
This saw a spike in training sessions held in Beijing peak hour traffic, with players encouraged to embellish niggles that could necessitate cotton-wooling from higher honours, all for the more decorated duty of challenging for tenth.
This time around, Lebanon have been worst hit with a handful of withdrawals including Mitchell Moses, who was made unavailable after it was discovered the Cedars weren’t playing the Wests Tigers at Bankwest.
This was almost followed by a disastrous team boycott stemming from a protest against Lebanon’s governing body, however administrators thankfully came to the negotiation table in good spirits with a counter-offer of jail time.
The charitable offer from the Lebanon RL saw warring parties eventually able to avoid catastrophe by breaking bread, even despite spiritual leader Robbie Farah scoffing at the threat of prison after a year under Michael Maguire.
Nevertheless, clubs were encouraged by the actions of the Lebanon administration, with plans already underway to secretly manufacture large-scale political disputes among emerging nations.
In other fixtures, a weekend of tight calves were diagnosed for names like Michael Jennings, Moeaki Fotuaika and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, with half of New Zealand also ruled out with severe bouts of dissenting nationality.
But in a silver lining, this year’s annual warehousing by clubs has again been luckily overshadowed by the all-consuming build-up of what the NRL considers the jewel in the international crown, State of Origin.
This has meant news of players withdrawing has been – and will be right up until kick-off – conveniently dwarfed by the flood of manufactured minutiae that comes with an interstate build-up, which is now 57 per cent press conferences encroached by Danny Weidler’s head.
But while it may be simplistic to bash NRL clubs for their myopic self-interest and hordes of compliant medical staff, they have certainly worked hard at challenging their reputations as cold-blooded murderers of international rugby league.
Many have changed their ways, with some even stressing that despite mass evacuations from the international matches this weekend, all players remained available for City vs Country or last night’s Women’s State of Origin.
Nevertheless, how does international rugby league combat the grip of NRL clubs’ narcissism?
One way would be to enact the idea of one NRL coach who suggested rescheduling internationals to a more convenient time, i.e. sometime after he retires.
On the other hand, the onus could be thrust back on the players. See the example of Andrew Fifita, who has been labelled an international trailblazer after legitimately ruling himself out for Tonga by crushing an opponent’s neck.
Or does international rugby league simply relent to the clubs’ insistence the global game is in rude health, and that the world is flat with diametrically opposing poles stationed at Warringah and Sutherland?
Perhaps we are destined for a world where the reward for form and hard work at club level is not higher honours, but the honour of being ruled out by an independent doctor on the same payroll. Not only negative for the global scene, but difficult to enshrine as an under-bicep tattoo.
In summary, clubs support the international game’s health until it is unhealthy to them, and other equally important stuff, like annual TV grants.
Until then, the only pointless venture they will be liberally releasing players for will be things like playing for NSW.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
I'd do it with carrots not sticks. Every time a player plays for their country, their club gets a bonus on either this years or next years salary cap. This bonus is linked to their weekly pay packet for their club. If a player has to miss matches because they got injured playing for their country, their club gets that bonus for every match they miss.
Jimmy
Roar Guru
Very funny, well done.
woodart
Guest
sod boring club league. who cares who wins, the players often dont. watch tonga v kiwis to see how much the players and crowd care about international league. no comparison
kk
Roar Pro
This Eldridge masterpiece is worthy of being nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Standard setting statesmanlike, lucid and humorously penetrating with the magnetism to put re reads on auto. Thank you Dane, thank you.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good article Dane, as usual. Created the customary smiles and mirth. The global game must take precedence over club fixtures, in any code. A possible answer for withdrawals - said injured players must be absent form their club game for the equivalent time. eg. if you are too badly injured to play an upcoming game then surely 2 weeks off will be an additional benefit in their healing.
deucer
Roar Rookie
Funny think is that there used to be a good international scene - even narrowing the gap on RU at one stage with the to 5 countries on a good day being able to beat the top team. Those days were decades ago with France almost caput - certainly not helped by lax eligibility rules with allowed a team from Lebanon with no one actually living there get out of the pool stages at the expense of France who have a long history. So no it's come to what you've written.
Sailosi
Guest
How about the RLIF start taking it seriously. The last week has been a circus. Treat the game with the respect it deserves and make it more than just a sugar hit.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Sound like the problems facing Union every World Cup cycle. The NRL should not follow the footsteps of the French and the English rugby clubs holding the Pacific Islanders to ransom. A global game is a good game.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
What a well written, funny ( but true) piece! I don't have any answers, just loved what you had to say.
Ken B
Guest
Great Article! That's what International Rugby League is to a tee, just a bit of fun that nobody takes too seriously! Those that think otherwise need their head read
Magic Mike
Roar Rookie
Representative duties and huggers honours must be enshrined as a prerequisite in the individual player's contract with the club's. No point arguing when he/she is selected.