He might be just mentally f**ked after a long season. So we force players to play anyway ?
NRL seem to be all about player welfare, but at the same time fear that their rep season is at risk if they let everyone off the hook.
If he doesn't want to play that's fine.
He can give up 90k next year at origin time by being made ineligible it's as simple as that.
If he actually preaches what he is saying then don't play origin either and fully commit to Newcastle.
Unlike Origin blokes aren't getting 30k a test match.
You look at all the greats of our game how many tests did they play for Australia.
A lot of them played 20+ tests. Travelling to Europe on Kangaroo tours after a long hard season.
Origin is seen bigger as playing for your country.
It personally should be the other way around.
If blokes were getting 30k a test how many are pulling out.
And I also agree with a few ex kangaroos it's disrespectful to the Jersey of those who have donned it previously.