THE NRL has been warned the integrity of rugby league may be at risk if clubs are allowed to deliberately rest players of the calibre of Johnathan Thurston without giving fair warning to the public.
The North Queensland skipper has revealed plans concocted with coach Paul Green to skip selected NRL games later this season to ensure his best football is hopefully reserved for a tilt at the premiership.
While such a move makes sense for Thurston’s longevity, it raises the possibility of major market movement if the game’s No. 1 player is originally named and withdrawn closer to kick off.
Johnathan Thurston celebrates with his team mates after scoring a try during last year’s
Johnathan Thurston celebrates with his team mates after scoring a try during last year’s semi-final against the Roosters.
Thurston is the Andrew Johns of his generation, a player of such immense ability that his presence or absence in the team can dictate many betting markets on rugby league.
Punters stand to gain a substantial advantage if they are aware of Thurston’s absence before the club confirm he will be rested.
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The NRL only demand that clubs confirm their 17-man team one hour prior to kick off.
It is hoped a move for clubs to name their teams on Wednesday afternoons this season, instead of Tuesday as in years past, will reduce the number of changes coaches make during the week.
And the NRL is also investigating an online system for clubs to electronically update teams midweek, but the reality remains there is no deterrent for coaches to play ducks and drakes with team selection.
Gerard Daffy of TattsBet said player availability remained a key component of the integrity in rugby league and the NRL needed stronger protocols to ensure sensitive team information was distributed to the public.
Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston shows his emotion during last year’s semi-final agains
Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston shows his emotion during last year’s semi-final against the Roosters.
“The codes are getting a lot of money back off bookmakers and bookmakers by way of agreement have to notify them of anything they think is untoward or suspicious looking transactions, but suspicious transactions can be in and around players that aren’t going to play,” Daffy said.
“This could be a good test case this one because they’ve already shown their hand that they’re going to rest (Thurston), if they’re going to rest him how are they going to do that and when are they going to notify people?
“Thurston is the guy who is the perfect Joey Johns type player in that him being in the side and out of the side is probably a six point turnaround which is huge.
“If he is named and then all of a sudden he is not named because they’re resting him there is going to be a blow out, just like that.
“It’s a fine line, surely clubs as a tactic are entitled to hang on to information like that but it’s bound to always leak out.
“As long as punters and bookies on same playing field no one would argue.
“I think there is still a way to go in rugby league.”
Johnathan Thurston boxing with Ben Hannant. Picture: Wesley Monts
Johnathan Thurston boxing with Ben Hannant. Picture: Wesley Monts
The NRL maintain their betting policy remains strong, with officials and players prohibited from divulging team information that is not already in the public domain.
Last year five players and 12 officials were reprimanded by the NRL for betting on games but the absence of clear protocols on reporting team changes remains an area of concern.
“There are rules in place prohibiting officials or anyone involved in the game from providing information to anyone else if it’s not in the public domain,” a NRL spokesman said.
“We have relationships with betting agencies to report unusual betting that may be as a result of a breach of these rules.”
Originally published as Bookmakers warn against resting stars
