nqboy said:
It's asking too much of our elite players to back up year after year. Look at the top Aussies - 24 rounds, 3 Origins (NSW players also have City/Country), up to 4 finals, 4 Tri-series games and the final if they make it.
They need time to recover, otherwise we will dramatically shorten their time at the top and lower the standard of play at that level.
Shortening the domestic season, even by just 2 games to 22 rounds in a 16 team comp, would help a little bit, but it's still an swful lot of top level footy to play with little time to recover and set yourself for next year.
And where does it leave the World Cup? I would suggest a WC every four years, a tri-series every two years with development squads (not including the elite players) playing emerging nations and so on in the years between.
What do you think?
In part I agree and aired this opinion some time ago only to met by cavemen claiming "they should shut up & play what they are told! Look at the money they are on!" :roll: This mentality will never see Rugby League move forwards especially internationally.
Instead of removing the Tri-Series concept as an annual event, I would simply look at shortening the NRL season to at least 20 rounds introducing the UK SL finals format (top 6) or the top 5 (my preference reverting back to the good old days when winning the minor premiership meant something other than dollars. Sadly, the all important $dollar will not allow the NRL to revert to either option as alot of money is lost when shortening the finals).
The Tri-Series serves a great way to showcase the best players on offer in both competitions and I can only imagine the UK leg of this series is getting
some coverage in other European countries looking to jump in the Rugby League international arena. If we can spark some interest amongst the masses in Russia, Lebanon, Malta etc. international League will be better in the long run which is why I am for this annual event.
Whilst we take away some games from the NRL competition, we do invest in the future by continuing to highlight our game to
hopefully the rest of the world. The one off game in the USA should be welcomed as well as an annual event as well for the simple reason getting more Americans on board is going to be beneficial in the long term considering the track record at investing 1000's into their professional sports.
In summary, YES, the players are playing too many games, NO, do not scrap the Tri-Series from the annual calendar though PLEASE look at shortening the NRL season and/or finals so as the longevity of the premiere players in League is not put at risk.
