DISCORD 2012: Edition 16

by NRL

IF this is the last City-Country game for a while, then it's a sad end with the captain of Country withdrawing without even fronting for the medical after his club coach insisted he should not be picked.

I suppose it's exactly the evidence the critics of the fixture need to illustrate their point it has outlasted its welcome.

Philosophically, Discord just doesn't see things the way Wayne Bennett does. I believe in hard and fast rules that apply to everyone, equally. I believe in boundaries that are clear and immoveable. I don't want to be given any more of a leg up than a first year cadet and I don't believe in giving 34-year-old veterans any more breaks than first-year rookies.

I know in that way, I think in a profoundly different fashion to most people in rugby league. But we have to be more consistent and transparent if we are going to progress as a sport. Fewer favours, more process.

If Danny didn't want to play representative football, he should have applied for an exemption like Jamie Lyon. Every player who is available for representative football should front for a medical or be stood down from one club game - no exceptions. If you were considered for selection, you front - even if you cross the Tasman just to be ruled out.

The fact the NSW coach didn't support Buderus playing for Country, sadly, is further evidence the fixture is on its last legs. What if a player pulls out without fronting and the guy who replaces him suffers a season-ending injury? That really makes a fixture seem pointless.

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THE mainstream media only think about international eligibility in weeks like this but, fellow anoraks, we think about it all day and night, all year round, don't we?

I found it interesting that when you referred to James Tamou as "a Kiwi" people are against him but when you call him an "immigrant", it's thought of differently. Prejudice against immigrants is not kosher, is it?

For a more detailed analysis of the situation, check out today's Rugby League Week. If representative teams are going to behave like clubs, we have to treat them like clubs and introduce artificial systems to level out talent. You might have thought a draft and a salary cap for national teams was nonsensical but the way they behave now, you could almost consider them.

Not quite, I admit. Not yet....

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Feedback now and while there weren't a lot of comments last week, there was a lot of "meat" in them!

Sea Eagle of Brisbane, I don't have a car and catch trains to games all the time so I don't understand your argument. My little anecdote about facilities at Brookvale was not the main thrust of my argument yet you have used it as the main thrust of your criticism. Fair enough. I don't decide what comments go up on this site but if I did, of course I would put yours up. Also, I don't really have one boss. No-one tells me what I can and can't write or what I can and can't ask. The opinions expressed in last week's column are mine and mine alone. I don't think Penrith v Manly is ready to move to a central stadium precisely because no-one would go. But I can see the day when it is appropriate, which you clearly can't. Again, fair enough.

Onthesaint, I don't really have a home anymore. I just follow the comp around all year. I have a room in Sydney but I would say I have spent more nights in Brisbane this year than in that room. And yes, I think the Storm funding is part of that - and how we greet that news that clubs have different needs and, in many cases, should be propped up, will be important in how we go in the battle with other codes.

Mike, good idea. I suppose money and lack of television interest are preventing it from happening at this stage.

Rocket that's a very good point...you are paying a subscription to something and not getting the content you paid for. Have you raised this in an email to the LiveNRL? I'd be interested to hear their response as a starting point.

Davey there are a couple of important issues: One, you do not get fined for saying referees were poor. You get fined for suggesting they were in any way dishonest or for using abusive language. Even coaches don't seem to realise they can say the refereeing was terrible and not be fined - and they can. Two, the NRL - thank God - have no jurisdiction over members of the media. Commentators do not work for them and therefore are not subject to their sanctions. But if a commentator suggests bias or dishonesty on the part of a match official, that official can take civil action against the media representative.

Paul, see today's Rugby League Week Big Issue! But I agree, players who do not front for representative medicals should be stood down for one club game. That's it, mandatory.

Your thoughts?