NRL will not force clubs to release players for Denver Test

[hutch]

I use a website to go around the paywall so it’s a bit all over the shop but you get the gist.

The fact Greenberg thinks that having the test will impact the nrl season shows how short sighted and clueless the nrl are towards international rugby league. It is not always about Australia, why don’t other countries have the opportunity to play Rep games and test matches. Why don’t they realise we could be SO much bigger as a sport than we currently are?

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...d/news-story/8ad1cf152f70756ac7de31558ca8bf4e

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg: ‘It will undermine the integrity of the competition ’
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has called for an urgent meeting with the Rugby League International Federation to discuss the international calendar as they continue to grapple with the fallout from the mid-season Test between England and New Zealand in Denver.

In the letter, obtained by The Australian, Greenberg also suggested that the current rules around international sanctioning were devoid of guidelines or criteria, and warned that NRL players may be prevented from playing in the mid-season Test in future years.

The Denver Test, which will be played on the stand-alone weekend in June reserved for the second State of Origin game, has become a source of great angst for the NRL and their clubs, their concerns largely centring around player welfare and the impact it could have on the domestic competition.

The issue has the potential to put the NRL at loggerheads with the RLIF given the threat to pull players from future Test matches planned for Denver.

At its extreme, it could mean Australia being stripped of Test status.

“The scheduling of the Denver Test in June is only possible because of the decision of the NRL to pause its competition for one weekend to allow State of Origin II to be played on a stand-alone weekend,” Greenberg wrote in a letter addressed to RLIF chief executive Nigel Wood.

“This will occur for the first time in 2018. This decision was designed to protect the integrity of the NRL competition by reducing split rounds and limiting the prospect of clubs fielding weakened teams in the NRL competition.

“The decision was also motivated by a need to provide more NRL players with the prospect of a week off in circumstances where byes have been removed for the first 12 rounds of the competition.

“Regrettably, RLIF’s decision to sanction a Test match in Denver in this ‘window’ will operate to undermine steps the NRL has taken to protect players, clubs and the competition.

“It will undermine the integrity of the competition by weakening club rosters in round 16 (following the test) and it will expose players to heightened injury risks in circumstances where they elect to play for their NRL clubs as little as two days after returning from Denver.”

Greenberg also lambasted the RLIF for referring to the stand-alone weekend as a mid-season international window given the lack of guidelines or criteria around sanctioning Test matches.

“We note that the proposed Denver Test match in 2019 and 2020 has not been sanctioned by the RLIF,” Greenberg wrote.

“The NRL, NRL clubs and the RLPA (Rugby League Players Association) expect the opportunity to make submissions directly to the RLIF if such a Test match is proposed and before any sanctioning decision is made by the RLIF.

“If, despite our collective opposition to this Test match, it was sanctioned in the future by the RLIF it is likely that NRL players will not be permitted to play in the match.”

Greenberg also notified the RLIF that the NRL would be exercising their right to appoint an observer to attend future board meetings.

“We anticipate a nominee of NRL clubs to fulfil this role,” Greenberg wrote.

“We will notify you formally about this nomination in the near future. We would be grateful if you can confirm the RLIF’s willingness to arrange a meeting on the international calendar and sanctioning criteria for the mid-season window.”

Reader comments on this site are moderated before publication to promote lively and civil debate. We encourage your comments but submitting one does not guarantee publication. We publish hundreds of comments daily, and if a comment is rejected it is likely because it does not meet with our comment guidelines, which you can

Read & share articles without clutter

 

[morningstar]

So many contradictions...why are you putting on the pacific tests if it’s a stand down weekend?

You’re on the RLIF board Greenberg you absolute cock.

Show’s how much the NRL clubs trust you if they don’t think you are capable of relaying the minutes of future meetings and need an observer as well.

 

[DlEHARD]

Sometimes I really really hate our games supposed leaders...

 

[adamkungl]

So many contradictions...why are you putting on the pacific tests if it’s a stand down weekend?

You’re on the RLIF board Greenberg you absolute c**k.

Show’s how much the NRL clubs trust you if they don’t think you are capable of relaying the minutes of future meetings and need an observer as well.

It's not a rep window, it's a rep window. Obviously.

 

[100%green]

Really do not understand why we can't just pause the NRL and ESL for 3 weeks mid year.

- Origin on a Saturday night (Other Origins Under 20's, Womens can either be before or on say Friday night)
- Annual 3 test series between Eng and NZ. Play the first game in Denver or other US cities to build up to the WC, then have the next 2 games in England one year and NZ the next.
- Annual International games for Pacific and European nations as well as other nations (US, Canada, Lebanon etc) so players that make themselves available every RLWC don't just play for those nations every 4 years.

How hard is this honestly??? The NRL blew there own horn over the last 2 weeks about winning the ratings in the first part of this year. Well over the Origin period watch it drop off along with crowds. This has been a joke for decades and is only going to get worse.

If the NRL and clubs don't realise the Eng and NZ teams along with others translates into more money and interest when they are actually compedititve against the Aussies then these muppets should get out of the game now!!!!

 

[Springs09]

Just did a bit of research but I went from living at near sea level in North Devon to around 900m in Afghanistan.I wasn’t a pro athlete but some how survived a gruelling 30 flight flightwith the RAF in conditions worse than Ryanair, having a few hours kip on arrival in a tent with no air conditioning and then being told to run around doing training exercises carrying more than half my body weight in equipment for hours/days.
I really don’t know how these pro athletes will cope the poor darlings.

You don't understand, they only get paid $700,000+ per year.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Really do not understand why we can't just pause the NRL and ESL for 3 weeks mid year.

- Origin on a Saturday night (Other Origins Under 20's, Womens can either be before or on say Friday night)
- Annual 3 test series between Eng and NZ. Play the first game in Denver or other US cities to build up to the WC, then have the next 2 games in England one year and NZ the next.
- Annual International games for Pacific and European nations as well as other nations (US, Canada, Lebanon etc) so players that make themselves available every RLWC don't just play for those nations every 4 years.

How hard is this honestly??? The NRL blew there own horn over the last 2 weeks about winning the ratings in the first part of this year. Well over the Origin period watch it drop off along with crowds. This has been a joke for decades and is only going to get worse.

If the NRL and clubs don't realise the Eng and NZ teams along with others translates into more money and interest when they are actually compedititve against the Aussies then these muppets should get out of the game now!!!!

This will most likely happen when the next TV agreement is signed. The Sunday Origin concept is being tested during this TV deal with the one game which has created a rep window for other nations. With demands for international matches from nations like Tonga, England, New Zealand, PNG and others in the future to increase, not decrease in the coming years it will most likely be the case that the three week rep window will be a reality.

The downsides that will be pointed to is that other codes will get a three-week ''free-kick'' during the season. That is just not true. With three origins played back to back, the media coverage will be wall-to-wall and will suffocate the other codes in NSW and QLD and create much more media coverage for the game in the other states than a regular NRL round would.

Add to this that three weeks is perfect for a four-team round robin Pacific Cup to take place. We all saw the colour, passion, excitement and media attention that Tonga & Fiji brought to the world cup. This will add to the media attention that the game gets through Origin. And remember, other than the islands themselves there are passionate Pacific Islanders living in every city of Australia and New Zealand which engages people from the entire region at a high level for three weeks.

If SL gets involved there could also be a four-team Euro Cup and frees up England and New Zealand to do a decent tour.

It really is a no-brainer both for the good of the international game and commercially.

 

[100%green]

This will most likely happen when the next TV agreement is signed. The Sunday Origin concept is being tested during this TV deal with the one game which has created a rep window for other nations. With demands for international matches from nations like Tonga, England, New Zealand, PNG and others in the future to increase, not decrease in the coming years it will most likely be the case that the three week rep window will be a reality.

The downsides that will be pointed to is that other codes will get a three-week ''free-kick'' during the season. That is just not true. With three origins played back to back, the media coverage will be wall-to-wall and will suffocate the other codes in NSW and QLD and create much more media coverage for the game in the other states than a regular NRL round would.

Add to this that three weeks is perfect for a four-team round robin Pacific Cup to take place. We all saw the colour, passion, excitement and media attention that Tonga & Fiji brought to the world cup. This will add to the media attention that the game gets through Origin. And remember, other than the islands themselves there are passionate Pacific Islanders living in every city of Australia and New Zealand which engages people from the entire region at a high level for three weeks.

If SL gets involved there could also be a four-team Euro Cup and frees up England and New Zealand to do a decent tour.

It really is a no-brainer both for the good of the international game and commercially.

Couldn't agree more!!!

However anyone arguing that the 3 week window gives a "Free Kick" to the other codes....REALLY???C'mon....The crowds, ratings and standard of footy over the Origin period is giving the others a free kick. Actual rep footy that has passion, pride and color won't do that. Besides does the AFL really need that help? And if we were to start the "Rep Window" this weekend then Super Rugby is already going to be suspending their comp for the exact same thing! You don't see them worrying about that and their fans will follow it cause they see the International teams play.

 

[Springs09]

Couldn't agree more!!!

However anyone arguing that the 3 week window gives a "Free Kick" to the other codes....REALLY???C'mon....The crowds, ratings and standard of footy over the Origin period is giving the others a free kick. Actual rep footy that has passion, pride and color won't do that. Besides does the AFL really need that help? And if we were to start the "Rep Window" this weekend then Super Rugby is already going to be suspending their comp for the exact same thing! You don't see them worrying about that and their fans will follow it cause they see the International teams play.

AFL gives up three weeks at the start of the year. Do any of their fans complain about that? I can't see an NRL supporter saying 'oh the Dogs and Tigers and that aren't playing for another 3 weeks, I guess I'll give up the sport I've always followed and just go watch another one for the rest of my life'.

Origin + tests for 3 weeks will get bigger total crowds and ratings than 3 rounds of NRL anyway, and about 10x as much as these shitty 4-game rounds we have now.

 

[RedVee]

The only foresightful promotion for the International game and... the NRL & clubs are whinging.

What a bunch of soft cocks.

 

[deal.with.it]

Where is Peter Beattie? Where is Brian Barwick? These two men chair the governing bodies. NZ has been very vocal with their chair and ceo.

 

[Springs09]

Am I mistaken or is there a chance Kalyn Ponga might have to play the hardest, toughest, dirtiest etc etc type of footy in Origin on Wednesday after playing NRL on Saturday night and 2 interstate flights? Where's the player welfare concern?

 

[CC_Roosters]

Ffs the competition has no sporting integrity anyway. Scheduling, origin, lack of home and away. The sports governance is seriously divergent and dis-united

 

[TheFrog]

Am I mistaken or is there a chance Kalyn Ponga might have to play the hardest, toughest, dirtiest etc etc type of footy in Origin on Wednesday after playing NRL on Saturday night and 2 interstate flights? Where's the player welfare concern?

Interstate flights aren't a big deal. He's 20 years old. His club says he's fit. He's a fullback, not a front rower. He'll have a medical. 4 day turnarounds are hardly unheard-of in the history of the game. Expect to see dozens of them this weekend.

 

[adamkungl]

Interstate flights aren't a big deal. He's 20 years old. His club says he's fit. He's a fullback, not a front rower. He'll have a medical. 4 day turnarounds are hardly unheard-of in the history of the game. Expect to see dozens of them this weekend.

Thats
Exactly
The
f**king
Point

 

[Springs09]

Interstate flights aren't a big deal. He's 20 years old. His club says he's fit. He's a fullback, not a front rower. He'll have a medical. 4 day turnarounds are hardly unheard-of in the history of the game. Expect to see dozens of them this weekend.

....yep

If he was playing for NZ in Denver though, ooh no player welfare! Player welfare! How could he possibly back up a week later?!

 

[TheFrog]

....yep

If he was playing for NZ in Denver though, ooh no player welfare! Player welfare! How could he possibly back up a week later?!

40+ hours flying time return and playing at 1600 metres altitude is exactly the same as playing in Melbourne, right?

 

[adamkungl]

40+ hours flying time return and playing at 1600 metres altitude is exactly the same as playing in Melbourne, right?

Do you think a business class flight is tougher than Origin?

 

[Springs09]

40+ hours flying time return and playing at 1600 metres altitude is exactly the same as playing in Melbourne, right?

And this stupidity continues.

He's backing up 4 days after NRL to play Origin which players are not supposed to do, and then he might have to back up again for Newcastle on Saturday, compared to some NRL clubs who have said they will stand down players for both games either side of the Denver test. Because apparently you can play 3 games in 8 days including an Origin which everyone in the media will tell us is the toughest, roughest game in the world, but you need 2 weeks either side of an international flight.

And continuing with this altitude rubbish. Do you know Canberra is at 577m altitude? Ooooh how are the players from Sydney and Brisbane and Melbourne supposed to deal with this? They'll get altitude sickness!
1600m is nothing. You can drive that high several places in Victoria and NSW. If they were playing on Kilimanjaro like these lot did you might have a point:
https://www.climbkilimanjaroguide.com/kilimanjaro-plays-host-to-the-worlds-highest-ever-rugby-match/

 

[Pommy]

Good interview with Mascord on the USARL podcast where he calls out the NRL and Clubs as being the sled interested merkins we all know them to be.