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Kangaroo's selection after State of Origin. Your kangaroo's Team

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,467
Former Kangaroos captain and chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy believes Kalyn Ponga should never be considered for Australia again after his decision to prioritise a Newcastle pre-season ahead of the Pacific Championships.

“I’d be putting the red line through his name,” McCarthy said. “You don’t knock back the Australian jersey. I can’t see his reckoning there. It’s the ultimate reward, playing for your country.

“Origin is good, but the green and gold is something different. That’s what Mal has been trying to instil into everyone – he’s recognising those who dug the well and wants to keep that spirit going.

“You’d think you’d be determined to get in there and make up for the big loss last year [to New Zealand]. The only reason I can think of is if he’s been told he won’t make it, and he’s tried to get in first. It’s disappointing to hear.

“Blokes would break an arm to get picked when I played. And what happens if he gets hurt in the pre-season?”

 

Gordie

Juniors
Messages
202
Former Kangaroos captain and chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy believes Kalyn Ponga should never be considered for Australia again after his decision to prioritise a Newcastle pre-season ahead of the Pacific Championships.

“I’d be putting the red line through his name,” McCarthy said. “You don’t knock back the Australian jersey. I can’t see his reckoning there. It’s the ultimate reward, playing for your country.

“Origin is good, but the green and gold is something different. That’s what Mal has been trying to instil into everyone – he’s recognising those who dug the well and wants to keep that spirit going.

“You’d think you’d be determined to get in there and make up for the big loss last year [to New Zealand]. The only reason I can think of is if he’s been told he won’t make it, and he’s tried to get in first. It’s disappointing to hear.

“Blokes would break an arm to get picked when I played. And what happens if he gets hurt in the pre-season?”

It’s a travesty how far the lure of international RL has fallen.

can’t see ponga getting anywhere near a kangaroos squad when others like turbo, Walsh, papi and Edwards etc are available.
 

Woody90

Juniors
Messages
2,216
The funny part is that players have been pulling out of playing for the smaller nations year after year but the moment a player does it to Australia all of a sudden everyone is up in arms.

The NRL has been treating the international game as irrelevant for years now. They only have themselves to blame if players also see it as an after thought.
 

blue bags

First Grade
Messages
9,590
The funny part is that players have been pulling out of playing for the smaller nations year after year but the moment a player does it to Australia all of a sudden everyone is up in arms.

The NRL has been treating the international game as irrelevant for years now. They only have themselves to blame if players also see it as an after thought.
It's going to change big time
When NRL has 20 teams
NRL Will be 19 rounds
Opening up the game big time
Time slots for Pacific cup
Like a super Pacific Cup
Origin Style
This is going to be huge
 
Messages
4,309
Funny how internationals are suddenly the 'pinnacle' according to all these people even though they're treated as the third biggest draw in the league calendar. The biggest hypocrites in this are the NRL for pretending they care about them.
I was going to say similar. Wasn’t the fixtures for this tournament only finalised a few weeks/month ago? Not being taken particularly seriously by anyone involved..
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,467
Similar to the NFL regular season which I’m all for.
I heard the NFL boss talking on espn why they don't extend thier season.

He basically said extending the season would water down the product, the NFL are a less is more lesgue. Every game carries weight, players don't get burnt out and the audience is left wanting more.

In theory, if we move to a 19 game season it should lead to a rise in crowds and ratings, less chances to see your team, each game is more important.

The only down side is the NRL could get more TV money if they keep it at 27 rounds.
 

taste2taste

Juniors
Messages
2,467

I don't think he will ever wear a green and gold jersey.
He can't play for the Kiwis because then he won't be able to play Origin.

I guess the Kiwis will get the washed up version of Ponga when he's no longer good enough to make SOO.

What's the rules if he did play for Oz ? Could he play for NZ down the line ? Or can you only play for one tier 1 country ?
 

Gordie

Juniors
Messages
202
He can't play for the Kiwis because then he won't be able to play Origin.

I guess the Kiwis will get the washed up version of Ponga when he's no longer good enough to make SOO.

What's the rules if he did play for Oz ? Could he play for NZ down the line ? Or can you only play for one tier 1 country ?
Because of the lack of depth in the halves ponga will always be an option for the kiwis until he pulls on a green&gold jersey.
 

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