i think fans can accept if theres injuries we have young players in the team but having situations like a few years ago where 11 storm were sitting out is beyond a joke. it's insulting to the fans and makes a mockery of the game.
Not saying I disagree, but having rep players missing from club matches has always been part of the game since 1908.
The advantage RL has over every other code in Australia is that we have 3 tiers that are not just economically powerful, but that we all agree are worth participating in, supporting and watching.
The NRL argues (and I tend agree) that they have a Top 8 (rather than a Top 5) to address the fact that clubs are impacted by absences due to rep football and this can affect results.
The Russell Crowe idea of playing Origin and Tests after the Grand Final has merit, but I'm not sure that we should be fiddling with the current timing of Origin given how successful it is.
My own thought is that the 3 pre Origin weekends should be used to run a NRL knockout competition (8 matches, 4 matches, 2 matches) with a mid-week Cup Final at Lang Park in late July or early August.
