Australian FB for end of year tests?
- Thread starter frankLauda
- Start date
They’d be professional enough to talk to the coach and selectors first, though. He’s basically broken a term of his contract, and is one of the best players in the game, so it’s always going to be a big story.
mozza
Game on broheim
Stefano has essentially done the exact same thing to Samoa and nobody cares. He should’ve gone about it differently and spoken to Mal beforehand but the beat up is ridiculous and if they are seriously considering punishing him for it the NRL are a joke.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
D Saf opted out for Fiji as well. On the exact same day as Kalyn.
Did he inform Samoa? Not really the same thing then.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
This seems like a distinction without a difference James.
The issue is supposed to be that KP is in breach of contract. Why is it okay for Stefano to breach the contract via a quiet word with the head coach, but not for KP to do that via a public statement? That doesn’t really make sense to me.
The issue is supposed to be that KP is in breach of contract. Why is it okay for Stefano to breach the contract via a quiet word with the head coach, but not for KP to do that via a public statement? That doesn’t really make sense to me.
I’m assuming these players informed their country, because I’m not seeing anything on their social media or their club’s website. Players have withdrawn from internationals for a long time, if the country agrees and it’s all signed off then that’s a very different story.
If I decide to take a month off work, is there a difference if I decide to tell my manager beforehand or not?
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
You’re missing the point a bit I think. The reason KP could potentially be suspended is that the playing contract says he HAS to make himself available. This is where a lot of the outrage is coming from too. There’s no “annual leave” from playing rep footy.
A more accurate analogy would be if you said “if I decide to take a month off work *but I still want to retain all my annual leave*. I just want to not show up for a while but still get paid like I’m there”. Would your manager sign off on that? Probably not. But players have been doing it for years.
If there’s a precedent of players saying “yeah I just don’t want to play, I’d rather focus on my club pre-season” and that’s been accepted - then literally the only difference is in how the player has informed people.
It’s pretty clear that the outrage is because people think it’s a bad look. All appearances. Not that he’s actually done anything wrong or out of the ordinary.
A more accurate analogy would be if you said “if I decide to take a month off work *but I still want to retain all my annual leave*. I just want to not show up for a while but still get paid like I’m there”. Would your manager sign off on that? Probably not. But players have been doing it for years.
If there’s a precedent of players saying “yeah I just don’t want to play, I’d rather focus on my club pre-season” and that’s been accepted - then literally the only difference is in how the player has informed people.
It’s pretty clear that the outrage is because people think it’s a bad look. All appearances. Not that he’s actually done anything wrong or out of the ordinary.
Yes, I know all this and have discussed it in the thread. The only way a player can contractually miss internationals, or origin, is if they have retired from rep football, which is typically given after ten years service, or obviously if they are injured.
Neither apply to Ponga which is why he should have discussed it with the Australian coach and/or selectors before pulling out.
Presumably those other players did that.
Informing your manager is what I was getting at, we don’t just do whatever we like without having a discussion. And that’s where Ponga’s got himself into hot water.
I feel like this has all been covered ad nauseam in the thread by now …
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Stefano’s not injured.
I don’t know how else I can put it.
Did he talk to Ben Gardiner? I have no idea. If not, then sure, he should face the same criticism.It won’t be as big a story because he’s not a superstar of the game like Ponga, though.
Frank McWilliams
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Any player standing down from representing his country without good and just reason is letting his country down and just as importantly the fans of that particular country, Samoan fans for example would not be happy with Stefanos withdrawal but if he went through the right channels it would be more acceptable.
The Ponga situation appears to have been poorly handled
The Ponga situation appears to have been poorly handled
Off season hasn't officially started yet , give it a month & some clown will take the heat off Ponga
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I’m just asking for a reason why there’s a difference beyond just stating that it is different.I don’t know how else I can put it.
It won’t be as big a story because he’s not a superstar of the game like Ponga, though.
The NRL playing contract doesn’t say “you have to make yourself available for rep footy, unless you call the rep coach and say ‘I’m not playing mate’.”
So why does it matter? One reason. “It just does” is not a reason.
Regardless of who people have told or how they have done it, we are being told you must be available for rep footy, when clearly it seems a double standard, which is a good thing for us because the NRL will have no legal standing to suspend him now without it being deemed discrimination.I don’t know how else I can put it.
It won’t be as big a story because he’s not a superstar of the game like Ponga, though.
It's just basic professionalism.
Lefty
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Ponga’s dad is a Kiwi, Ponga may not want to play for Australia because of his Kiwi ancestry and because he spent 5 years there as a child. The Australian selectors leave it up to Ponga to decide whether he wants to play for Australia or not and respect his decision.