Iafeta said:
Puletua knows the score? We'll see when he's next off contract. I would doubt he'll be staying with Penrith. That club has just scourned him of what he has rightfully earnt, for no just reason. The club ankle surgeon who initially booked Puletua in for surgery has said they can wait till after the Tri Nations and he'll be fine for round 1, John Mayhew arguably one of the world's best sports doctors has concurred with that, as has Chris Hanna the NZRL doctor (and if Puletua is Australian, the equivalent doctor's opinion that he'll be fine is enough for him to be unable to be pulled out by Penrith). Considering how close he is to brother Frank, and Joe Galuvao I'd be surprised if they also don't test the market deeply when they come off contract.
That's three doctors all agreeing.
One biggot has threatened Puletua with financial and legal ramifications if he tours. Blatantly he's just told him representing New Zealand is not an honour, it is more important that you sit on your can and do as you're told. The Panthers should face a fine, undoubtably.
If this was prior to Origin, and it was Luke Lewis, Leary or whatever his name is would be saying how brave it is, and what an honour it is for Lewis to be playing Origin from Penrith. There is no way they'd even blink an eyelid to try and pull him out. If this was Luke Lewis playing for Australia, by the ARL rules they can't even budge an eyelid once he's selected to pull him out. Yet there are three or four geese who support the Panthers who cannot see the irony, and yet get all in a hot sweat when its obvious and correctly stated that they are doing a Roosters.
Ode for the return of Shane Richardson, this sort of immature nonsense would not have been tolerated. Under this bloke's control I can only see doom and gloom again for the Pennies. Hell, and I thought Mick Watson was short sighted!
Puletua will never leave Penrith, not at least till he reaches retirement age and decides mybe he wants a huge payout in the ESL. Puletua has been with Penrith since a very young age and progressed through the ranks just like all the other local juniors. If he really was upset with this decision, where are his quotes in the paper or on the news claiming he is very upset?
You cant compare this to an origin situation!! This is a 7 week tour where a player already injured risks further injury which could prematurely end his career, all away from the company which pays his wages. SOO is a one off game once every 3 weeks in our own country.
Shane Richardson would do the exact same thing, he might be a man who wants to expand international league, but he is not stupid, and any other club would have done the same in similar circumstances.
Why dont you bag Melbourne for making Slater pull out for a surgery whichwont affect the start of his year next year? How about the Bulldogs and Matt Utai? The pettiness of Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbiel for retiring because they dont like the coach?