Souths refuse to release Burgess

[hutch]

there was an article in one of the sunday papers today claiming souths wont let burgess play for england against france in the annual test match as they are playing brisbane the same weekend. it is a shame and it shows how amateur our sport really is, and the ridiculous way we treat the international game. for starters, we need at least 1 sanctioned rep weekend (and possibly up to 4) with no nrl/super league games at all, and give all rugby league playing countries the chance to play test matches with their full strength test teams. there was talk of this happening a couple of years ago but channel 9 stepped in and stopped it.

if clubs dont release their players for the test teams and they are fit, they must be stood down for the following nrl/super league game as punishment.
we need to start prioritising international rugby league, and start giving players from all countries the chance to play international rugby league.

another thing that is a joke is that our players have 4 days to prepare for a test match and then have to back up 1 or 2 days later for their clubs. they have 10 days to prepare for origin, and are stood down from their clubs (which is also a joke). we need some massive changes to help us move forward.

 

[adamkungl]

Agree

 

[Noa]

there was an article in one of the sunday papers today claiming souths wont let burgess play for england against france in the annual test match as they are playing brisbane the same weekend. it is a shame and it shows how amateur our sport really is, and the ridiculous way we treat the international game. for starters, we need at least 1 sanctioned rep weekend (and possibly up to 4) with no nrl/super league games at all, and give all rugby league playing countries the chance to play test matches with their full strength test teams. there was talk of this happening a couple of years ago but channel 9 stepped in and stopped it.

if clubs dont release their players for the test teams and they are fit, they must be stood down for the following nrl/super league game as punishment.
we need to start prioritising international rugby league, and start giving players from all countries the chance to play international rugby league.

another thing that is a joke is that our players have 4 days to prepare for a test match and then have to back up 1 or 2 days later for their clubs. they have 10 days to prepare for origin, and are stood down from their clubs (which is also a joke). we need some massive changes to help us move forward.

Alot of merit in most of what you say but the bolded is rubbish. This happens in Union, Soccer and Basketball.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Couldnt agree more.
To be able to compete with Union and AFL for our top players money wise, we need to grow the game internationally.
The more people willing to watch the sport around the world, the more TV stations willing to pay to broadcast, the more advertisements are sold, the more money can be put into the game for players.
Far to long League has relied on "pokie" takings.
Time for NZRL, RFL and ARL stand up against this bullsh*t.
IF SOO continues to be pushed as the "premier" level, you can kiss this game goodbye as Union buys up all our talent.
Who can blame the players either, they can't play this till they are 60 or anything, take the money while you can.

 

[Loudstrat]

How does the makeup of the Pommy test front row v France have anything to do with AFL?

 

[Didgi]

If you read the entire thread, you'll work it out.

I agree, we need to catch up to the AFL in terms of representative international honours... Oh wait...

OP has the right idea there, although there would be numerous barriers to get around and technicalities to iron out. It's a shame that where you play affects your eligibility for any country. The ARL, English equivalent and the IRL board are separate from the NRL and Super League; players should not have to be selected on the basis of which club they are playing for.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

It's a shame that where you play affects your eligibility for any country. The ARL, English equivalent and the IRL board are separate from the NRL and Super League; players should not have to be selected on the basis of which club they are playing for.

I disagree, I like the idea of only picking players from the local competition. For Australia anyway. Its good for the development of future players in for the Australian squad, by having our highest quality players in the local comp, players of less quality will be exposed to them and develop themselves. For a country like Australia, it works as we can still be very successful without pickign players from overseas. (IMO we would be weaker if we did choose those players)

For nations like NZ and France though, its not necessarily a good idea because of the small talent pool.

England however is a unique situation, they would be best on picking players from the NRL that are eligable as those players are a clear cut above most other selections in the SL because of the SL's lower standard. But I hardly think that they will struggle to beat France without Ellis and Burgess.

 

[Western_Eel]

doesnt matter england will win anyway!

 

[Bobby DIGital]

England deserve that treatment.

 

[deluded pom?]

If this is true then Souths should at least have the decency to get in touch with Steve McNamara and explain their situation and ask if Burgess could be exempted from the international match (IF Burgess is agreeable with that). I don't think a twenty odd hour flight and an eleven hour time difference is great preparation for a game anyway, regardless of which team it affects. If Souths want to announce their intentions before Burgess has even been chosen then I'd be bloody minded if I was McNamara and pick him just to rock the boat.

 

[deluded pom?]

England deserve that treatment.

With an attitude like that Bobby there's no wonder the international game is in the state it is.

 

[Molly]

Isn't it incumbent on Burgess to ensure a clause was inserted in his contract directing he be released for any rep duties if selected, after all, he is taking some decent coin from the Rabbitohs so I would empathise with them not releasing him if the contract has no reference to this.

 

[Sunshine Coast Tiger]

I hope we don't release Gareth Ellis and Mark Flanangan for a meaningless game against the french. I agree with the stance taken by souths (never thought I would say that) and hope the tigers take the same stance.

 

[cornerposter]

With an attitude like that Bobby there's no wonder the international game is in the state it is.

The international game is in the state it is because there's only two competitive sides.

That said, you'd think there'd be something in all contracts about being released for rep duty.

 

[Coastbloke]

a meaningless game against the french

I hope that very very soon that sentence will have no bearing on reality, and it will indeed be a annual clash that any team can win and is eagerly anticipated on the League calender..

Above attitudes don't help, but individuals can't help taking that stance when the League governing bodies don't improve the situation..

 

[deluded pom?]

Isn't it incumbent on Burgess to ensure a clause was inserted in his contract directing he be released for any rep duties if selected, after all, he is taking some decent coin from the Rabbitohs so I would empathise with them not releasing him if the contract has no reference to this.

I always thought this was cleared up in the late seventies when the Sorensons were at Cronulla and were denied the chance to play for NZ and the international controlling body brought in a rule whereby all players had to be made available for international football unless there were extenuating circumstances excusing the player. Do players have to have a clause in their contract enabling them to play for Australia?

 

[hutch]

i didnt start this thread with the intention of having a go at souths for their stance, i can actually see where they are coming from. the test is played at the same time as their comp game, they are going to be forced to release players by anyone so they dont have to. its the people who are in charge of our sport who are at fault for not having a weekend free of domestic games in both hemispheres. i dont understand how this cant be done?

 

[deluded pom?]

i didnt start this thread with the intention of having a go at souths for their stance

Then maybe you should re-title this thread hutch. "Souths are allowed to prevent Burgess from playing a Test" might have been more accurate.

 

[roughyedspud]

The international game is in the state it is because there's only two competitive sides.
.

would that be the 2 sides that contested the last 4nations final???

 

[Coastbloke]

But where is NZ or the team that frightened England in Game 1 of the 2009 4Ns...??..or Game 1 of the 2008 RLWC for that matter..