The players' union has floated the prospect of introducing stand-alone representative weekends as part of an urgent review into the schedule to stop the toll on the elite players during the State of Origin period undermining the NRL competition.
Several players were rested or failed to back up for their clubs after a typically fast and brutal opening interstate clash on Wednesday.
Big cost: David Klemmer produced a mammoth effort in Origin I, but suffered a wrist injury in the process.Credit:AAP
David Klemmer was a big-name casualty, a wrist injury sidelining him for up to six weeks, while Newcastle teammate Kalyn Ponga was given the night off against South Sydney. The Rabbitohs rested rookie Blues five-eighth Cody Walker, although Wayne Bennett called on Dane Gagai and Cameron Murray for Fridays match. The Roosters were granted special dispensation to allow Josh Curran to replace Blues forward Angus Crichton.
The issue of the best players being overworked, and the best clubs affected, is an annual one at this point in the season. The Rugby League Players Associations general manager of stakeholder relations, Clint Newton, wants all the key stakeholders to discuss potential solutions.
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Some of the options include stand-alone representative weekends, the number and placement of byes and even the mandatory standing down of players so they dont have to back up for club football.
"The key thing here is we want to make sure the key stakeholders are having a conversation about a critically important issue that raises its head at this part of the season," Newton said.
"We know through the demands on players there are flat spots during the year. This is certainly one of them and a dangerous part of the season given what is on the line for state and club representation.
"Theres a broadcast cycle in place and were not asking for massive changes to the competition structure or less games at the moment. What we certainly want and believe is necessary is for a discussion to take place with the relevant people at the table that can address some of the concerns that continually come up at this part of the year.
"There are many options that are available that improve the current situation."
The players' union has floated the prospect of introducing stand-alone representative weekends as part of an urgent review into the schedule to stop the toll on the elite players during the State of Origin period undermining the NRL competition.
Several players were rested or failed to back up for their clubs after a typically fast and brutal opening interstate clash on Wednesday.
Big cost: David Klemmer produced a mammoth effort in Origin I, but suffered a wrist injury in the process.Credit:AAP
David Klemmer was a big-name casualty, a wrist injury sidelining him for up to six weeks, while Newcastle teammate Kalyn Ponga was given the night off against South Sydney. The Rabbitohs rested rookie Blues five-eighth Cody Walker, although Wayne Bennett called on Dane Gagai and Cameron Murray for Fridays match. The Roosters were granted special dispensation to allow Josh Curran to replace Blues forward Angus Crichton.
The issue of the best players being overworked, and the best clubs affected, is an annual one at this point in the season. The Rugby League Players Associations general manager of stakeholder relations, Clint Newton, wants all the key stakeholders to discuss potential solutions.
Advertisement
Some of the options include stand-alone representative weekends, the number and placement of byes and even the mandatory standing down of players so they dont have to back up for club football.
"The key thing here is we want to make sure the key stakeholders are having a conversation about a critically important issue that raises its head at this part of the season," Newton said.
"We know through the demands on players there are flat spots during the year. This is certainly one of them and a dangerous part of the season given what is on the line for state and club representation.
"Theres a broadcast cycle in place and were not asking for massive changes to the competition structure or less games at the moment. What we certainly want and believe is necessary is for a discussion to take place with the relevant people at the table that can address some of the concerns that continually come up at this part of the year.
"There are many options that are available that improve the current situation."
