they already have them in
Fraser Anderson
&
Ben Hannant
devout mormons can also be a problem for sporting teams ... 8 members of a gold coast rugby team sat out their semi final last year because it was played on a sunday ...
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/09/10/2557_gold-coast-feature.html
Eight absent Mormons left the Hogs without a prayer
10Sep07
THE Helensvale Hogs had every reason to believe the gods were against them yesterday.
With eight devout Mormons sitting out the club's Rugby Gold Coast semi-final because of their religious beliefs, the Hogs didn't have a prayer, and were soundly beaten 23-3 by Palm Beach-Currumbin in the sudden-death match at Ashmore.
The club's reserve grade team, also missing five Mormon players, was also beaten by the
Alleygators.
But there could still be some divine intervention for the Hogs, with claims that Palm Beach fielded ineligible players.
Helensvale secretary Michael Kinsella, who was forced to act as caretaker coach yesterday because of the Mormon exodus, said they would consider fronting Rugby Gold Coast with allegations that at least two of the Alleygators should not have been allowed to play.
That would open the way for the team to play again this season.
With so many of their first-choice players missing, it was always going to be a difficult assignment for the Hogs, but they battled on bravely, trailing 9-3 with 20 minutes to go before two late tries sealed the win for Palm Beach.
Mr Kinsella said he was proud of the club and of the spirit shown by the replacements who played in yesterday's match.
"They showed a lot of guts," he said.
"The controversy certainly had a detrimental effect on us, but the boys we had out there gave it 100 per cent."
He said there was no ill-feeling towards the players who stuck by their Mormon faith rather than turn out for a such an important game.
"We are a family club and we certainly respect each other's beliefs," he said.
Inside centre Kai Pheeney said the players stood by their absent teammates.
"It was totally up to them," he said.
"It is their religion and we fully understand that they won't play on Sundays."
Mr Kinsella said there was talk of the association changing the rules next year to play all matches on Saturdays, the traditional day for rugby union games.
-----------
