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I`m really ###### off with Ivan Cleary to be honest. Imagine actively discouraging a young bloke under his tutelage from missing out on a once in a life time experience, it is so bloody selfish I`m dumbfounded. It`s just plain wrong. One day Kikau and all the other blokes who will miss out on this will look back on this episode and realise they`ve been duped. Cleary was a bog average player who I hope goes down as a bog average coach. I `m on board the Wayne Bennett`s Rabbitohs band wagon now, the only bloke who will be able to hold his head up after this, everyone else has just covered themselves with shame.

I was just watching the videos on the BBC website of Tom Daley and Matty Lee winning the 10m synchromised platform gold and Adam Peaty retaining his 100m breaststroke title and I thought to myself... if only the British Olympic Association had had the welfare of these young men in their hearts they would have stopped them from going to Japan and fulfilling a lifelong ambition and saved them from themselves.

I just want the IRL to not become the toothless tiger and be bullied by the NRL If it is postponed it could mean any tournament organised in the future by the IRL could be scuttled by the NRL if it doesn't want it to take place. Brazil doesnt run FIFA, the All Blacks dont run international rugby & the NRL dont run the IRL

From the article. "The Board will meet again in the coming days but in the meantime will continue to concentrate its efforts on being solutions focused and achieving the best possible outcome for the tournament" Here here. Kudos to the RLWC team, who are proving to be an excellent example of how to behave and hold yourself in a professional sport.

Yes they would.

We should start a thread on it. I reckon people would be interested.

My take is winning the World Cup will still be a great achievement and seen by the players as a great achievement in their careers , arguably the greatest . Yes of course you want to be up against the best , but once a tournament starts you’re immersed in it and people who aren’t there don’t count . Beating the likes of Tonga , Samoa , Fiji and PNG is still a challenge , and calling yourselves world champion is still the pinnacle . It would be great if the anzacs came , but if they don’t it’s not our fault - beat what’s there . I bet if one of the pacific islands win the Cup they’ll think it’s a fantastic achievement to celebrate and would be historic for them . Once we’re off id forget Australia and New Zealand - they can moan and complain and say it’s Mickey Mouse stuff and they’re top dogs . Well , tough , they could have come and proved it . They didn’t so they can shut up

Absolutely. A key part of winning a competition (some would say perhaps the most crucial part) is turning up to it. If you don't turn up to a competition then you have no chance of winning a competition. Being World champions at anything is about commitment and investment as well as talent. If Australia or New Zealand don't play in a World Cup then they have lost just a legitimately (but perhaps more embarrassingly) than if they had lost on the pitch.

It’s a World Cup … putting that up against an impact to NRL clubs preseason is just utterly laughable as an argument .

I've been hugely impressed with them - no begging, just justified outrage and contempt whilst exploring alternatives and leaving the door open.

Gould either doesn't get it or refuses to listen. Don't force players to go play, don't force then to stay at home. Give then a choice. That way, players can go if they want and fulfil an ambition of representing their country in a World Cup. To just say it is not in their interest and make the decision for them is draconian and authoritarian. He is bullying the panel here as well.

big mal has been disappointingly quiet throughout - has the legend lost his bottle too? is he scared of the nrl enough to tarnish his legacy in the eyes of the international fans ?

Are you seriously suggesting that the tournament be cancelled when they are using their scurrilous, baseless nonsense, as a smoke screen to mount a coup d'etat? Or that we play into their hands, facilitating their takeover of the IRL whilst incurring huge costs and possibly bankrupting, or at least, seriously undermining NH RL for years to come? That we tacitly condone the dashing of the rest of the World's athletes (and their own) ambitions, hopes and dreams? You may argue that their players are the best in the world, but the administrators are slimy, amoral, deceitful and untrustworthy propagandist tyrants. Aren't you concerned with matters of right and wrong? I would argue that the behaviour of V'landys et al, in these matters makes them utterly unworthy of being a part of World-wide sporting alliance and ought to disqualify them from taking part in the World Cup. It's supposed to be a meeting of sportsmen, not despots.

to be honest its a refreshing change. This is the sort of thing we have (as a sport) been poor at in the last few years. "Managing the Media" and "Managing the Message" are really important and they have done this well IMHO.

I don't really care if the Aussies don't come. In the same way that I didn't care whether the Americans and Soviets came to the Olympics in 1980 and 1984. Whoever wins, wins.

If you read what the players union down under are reporting then that just isnt true. Its a power grab to control the international game and subsequent revenues

They don't have to have 8 weeks. In previous international tournaments players have foregone the full 8 weeks. It's just another excuse this time around.

I no longer think Oz/NZ changing their minds is the perfect solution. I think the indigenous teams joining, alongside all the other NRL players who wish to represent their teams with pride, together with a bucket of shame for Oz/NZ is now the perfect solution.

He talks about players like they’re idiots who need to be educated and don’t ‘ understand ‘ , and also treats them with immense disrespect in giving them no voice here . He then talks about the risks and conditions he’s protecting them from , in a caring paternalistic way , before describing the circumstances he’s put them through for 18 months to keep the money coming in from the broadcasters . Player welfare ?

And to try and tour the UK this autumn. It would be laughable if it wasn't so serious for the game. Would he have stayed for the RLWC? I'd like to think so but I'm sure the withdrawal certainly made this decision easier and certainly meant he had nothing worth staying in RL for.

This is more like what I am wanting to hear from the Kangaroo players and coming from the captain carries a lot of weight: And RLPA President, Daly Cherry-Evans, who is also the incumbent Australian captain, has added his voice to those objecting to the ARLC decision and especially the lack of consultation with the players. “The players wanted to go and the game probably knew that, which is probably why they didn’t want to consult us,” said Cherry-Evans. “So, of course we would have loved to have been given a bit more of a heads up on it but we do understand the game’s acting within the best interests at heart. “There obviously is definitely an element of disappointment for sure, it’s a World Cup and I’m not getting any younger. “So it’d be nice to hopefully have been involved. “I can completely understand if they’re going to continue the competition but I wouldn’t begrudge the people who were making those decisions to continue on. “Because there’s a lot more at stake than just Australia and New Zealand.” https://www.totalrl.com/crucial-world-cup-decision-to-be-made-on-monday/

Fingers crossed they go for it. They will get as much financial support as i can give them.

Yes they would, and rightly so. Anyone not happy for a trophy win is just jealous Anyone tell Chelsea that their FA cup win in 2000 should have an asterix and its a hollow victory as the holders and number 1 team in the country withdrew from the competition? Are their medals in the bin as meaningless? Or did they beat who was infront of them and celebrate the win

The NRL players should make a statement yes , on paper saying clearly they want to play in the WC and they don’t appreciate having the decision taken away from some of them or being pressurised not to play yours NRL players ( sign underneath )

Let me ask you a question Do you think Australia deserve to hold the title of and be called World Champions for the next 4 or 5 years after their disrespectful and selfish actions?

Mate it`s playing right into the alf`s lap by making us look as provincial as them. There was a stack of afl players at the union test the other night. When your young and a talented sportsperson your going to look at things like those internationals and think crickey I`d like to be part of that, I might have a crack at union as well as afl. You`d know it`s not uncommon for talented kids to play multiple sports, christ Tommy T. was invited to the Swans( afl) academy but stuck with League, who knows maybe because he thought he might play in a WC one day or go on Kangaroo tour. V`landy`s even said earlier in the year that we need another team in QLD because we don`t want blokes like Cam Munster playing afl. well Pete, the same thing applies to union and their international calendar.

I would like to think pulling on a Fiji jersey in a World Cup and representing their country and families., a World Cup that isn't beyond them, is more important than an NRL pre-season. just to highlight the bit i like in your post... that is exactly what this boils down to, no more no less.. and it stinks that these players will feel pressure from the coaches to make a hard decision, one that is probably tough on them anyway with families, they need the support of the coaches and their clubs not the pressure they are getting.. that would be looking after player welfare not all this sh*t that V'landys has stirred up!

There are a couple of very emotional videos on youtube on the paths Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo have taken to get to where they are. The struggles and family sacrifices that have helped them achieve what they have so far in their careers. I would like to think pulling on a Fiji jersey in a World Cup and representing their country and families., a World Cup that isn't beyond them, is more important than an NRL pre-season. Same goes for the likes of Justin Olam, Tui Kamikamika and many others.

What can Penrith do to Kikau ? Nothing . They need him more than he needs them . I agree , the players - especially high profile ones - need to draw a line in the sand , back up the words they’ve spoken before regarding what playing for their island nations means to them , and tell the clubs what’s happening rather than the other way round .

This is the joke bit.... The average age of a Covid death is 82.....20 something NRL players would not even know they had it without a test

This is where the truth lies: "75% of players consulted by Australia's players' union remained happy to travel to England for the World Cup" As the saying goes - speak up now boys or forever hold your peace. Don't regret not being a voice now & missing out on maybe your only World Cup - remember they only come every 4 years. Some first grade careers don't last that long.

That's not right, the players can use the 2 weeks as part of their 8 week break - it's their choice. Good on him for saying he'd play though, gone up in my estimation.

I bet they would be devastated....

But wait, won't all the other sports come to realise that depriving young men (and women) of their ambition of representing their country for sake of their welfare is the way the forward. Without asking them, of course, which is surely the only way to do it properly.

Think of the world cup scenario when applied in the real world. Imagine you are hosting a party & have invited 16 of your closest friends. You are so excited about your party you have organized it about 3 years before the actual date to properly plan, organize entertainment & cater for. You want your friends to be safe coming to the party so you promise to pay there travel, look after them during the party, even hire a few bouncers to keep things under control. What's more you promise to pay for them to fly home & pay there costs to be looked after upon arrival at home. These are your best friends remember so you want to make sure they all come & participate at your party. Now with 3 months to go 15 of your friends send rsvp's to say they are coming however 1 wants to delay making a decision. You want to push on with your party planning so you announce to everyone its definitely on. This obviously upsets the 1 person who hasn't replied - not only do they say they are not coming they manage to convince 1 other that they are also not coming, citing safety concerns at the party even though you have gone out of your way to give assurances it is safe to come. This does pose a slight problem as these are 2 of your popular friends & may cause some issue with 14 of your other friends knowing that they are now not coming. The problem is you have already ordered alcohol, food & booked the band to play on the night. Your 2 close friends say they will only come if you delay the party by a year. However, you really want your party to proceed on the day booked & besides can you really pull of the same party in a years time. You think about this long & hard. Are these 2 closest people I know really my friends to cancel at such short notice after all my planning & preparation. You then remember you have 2 other distant friends not that close but have always said they will come at short notice & would be honored to attend. You tell your 2 close friends thanks I will not move my party 1yr just so you can come & instead the other 2 distant friends now become closer friends. THE END

Self interest is everywhere, it's just more noticeable in a sport run like RL. It is dispiriting how a few at the top are behaving and understandable if going along has lost its appeal. If the WC goes ahead, they will need the public getting behind it. The WC organisers have done a fine job. The teams coming are full of of young men and women giving their best and who don't own any of power struggle going on. Hopefully some good crowds go along to support them.

Precisely. If the IRL is broken by this, this is a RL scandal of Vichy proportions

V'landys wasn't concerned about the COVID risk to players when the NRL re-started in May 2020 as the pandemic raged and there was no vaccine!!

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/300365754/players-wanted-to-play-rugby-league-world-cup-claims-australia-captain-daly-cherryevans This article has a bit more from Cherry-Evans saying the players wanted to play

So what your saying is every player who would be playing in the WC should refuse to play if the tournament is still going to go ahead because Aus ans NZ can't be bothered to turn up as it's not worth winning now as a player?

Yep I was hoping he might at least have a 'we'll bring the players who want to' attitude Bennett is coming out with some credit out of this though

These same coaches enjoy watching Euro 2020 and the Olympics. There is no higher honour than representing your country in any sport! This is not the NFL, MLB or AFL these guys can play international competition. Who would actually deny them when it is written into every NRL contract?

Could be one of the biggest years of Kikau`s life, they will probably play a GF, could of topped it off by going to England and having the experience of his life and if Cleary was so worried about his welfare let him come back to pre-season late and ease him into the new season, been done plenty of times before. That`d be how a coach would generate loyalty. What`s happened will slowly dawn on these players, especially as they see the cases start to come down in England, which they are dramatically, at some point the players are going to think whos welfare was Cleary interested in and we was robbed.

I was rooting for the Panthers but not anymore. Come Saturday i hope that horrible bunch from Melbourne stuff them. Fingers crossed for the Rabbits for the GF.

I note that that he thinks the damage will affect both 2025 and RL's chances of getting into the Brisbane Olympics as a demonstration sport, but it can be contained and/or repaired if the tournament goes ahead.

It's so nonsensical that it makes it impossible to reason with people that think it's a valid excuse.

What has this got to do with the situation in England? That's like saying the England cricket team won't want to come down under for the Ashes because they have been under Covid rules this year? That is not a safety issue- it is a personal choice issue? Are they tired? Or are they scared? Or are they tired and scared? Have they actually spoken to the RLPA and the players themselves?

Exactly. England boycotted the first three fifa world cups, Uruguay won the first then boycotted the next two. Italy don’t put an asterisk next to their first two World Cup wins they beat whoever turned up.

too early to read anything into it IMO - it could also be read as a positioning statement aimed at keeping the pressure up, or worst case, so that there hasn't been a total period of silence from them between Friday and then everyone else pulling out today that people could point to and say 'they didn't care either' FWIW I think it's the former of my options - this is just to get some messages out in public from the cup side, while who knows what is being said in private to the PI from Australia. Basically it's pretty transparent media management - but that's not to say it's pointless. It's a belt and braces statement that they pretty much have to issue at this point if they're halfway competent (which fwiw I believe they are).

People are sick of the BS & the spin coming out of the NRL If they were fair dinkum about player welfare they'd pause the competition for 1 month - send the warriors home to NZ to catch up with loved ones they haven't seen all year in person. Let all the other players go home to there loved ones as well. But we don't expect them to do that & we respect there decision not to. We want them to keep playing the game we love. Ultimately it would seem them broke or cash poor at least and all broadcasting agreements wouldn't be worth the paper they are written on. However, why can't they apply there principles of keeping the game going to the World Cup as well? Let the players decide, they are grown men and can make there own decisions.