By MICHAEL BYRNES
ANDREW Webster wrote this article crucifying NRL clubs for their self-interest in withdrawing players from the final City-Country fixture.
While he is obviously justified in lambasting the game for its inability to give the historical rivalry the send-off it deserves, his critique about club self-interest misses the mark.
The clubs already wear all the risk and none of the glory associated with State of Origin and Test football. Yet they grudgingly tolerate it due to the massive revenue boost that Origin contributes, and the prestige and credibility that Test rugby league offers (or may offer down the track). But to further risk an entire season to again contribute players to a game that the players and fans no longer care about (en masse), is a bridge too far for most clubs. And I think that’s understandable.
The better option would have been to ditch a week of pre-season trials and play the final City-Country game as an intro to the season proper, thus avoiding this PR nightmare. The culpability for this week’s black spot on the game doesn’t rest with the clubs, but with an administration that didn’t see this coming – and should have.
