Veteran rugby league reporter Dean Ritchie has slammed Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan for in search of his “15 minutes of fame” after taking a number of jabs at rugby league.
Following reviews the Roosters had been contemplating an early launch for rugby recruit Joseph Suaalii, McLennan has been vocal stating “Joey’s treatment is nothing short of horrible”.
He additionally questioned the Tricolours’ wage cap and the NRL’s therapy of gamers, explaining RA may additionally signal Angus Crichton and head coach Trent Robinson.
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McLennan has by no means shied away from taking potshots on the rival code, however Ritchie has had sufficient and believes he ought to deal with his personal organisation.
“Hamish McLennan or whatever his name is, he is certainly enjoying his 15 minutes of fame through rugby league,” Ritchie stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Don’t you think, if you were a rugby union player at the highest level, I’d be thinking why my chairman is persisting in talking rugby league every day when the junior system is up the you know what.
“The subbies clubs at grassroots are falling over every day, the Waratahs, you wouldn’t even know when they are playing.
“Start focusing on our game, grow up and start looking after my own back yard instead of trying to get a headline through rugby league.”
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He additionally questioned the purpose of McLennan’s fixed barbs, explaining Rugby Australia have to poach NRL stars as a result of their very own expertise pool is weak.
“Just because Hamish persists in using rugby league, do you think that’s going to make (people) go out and watch rugby union?” Ritchie stated.
“What is his end push here for, what is he seeking? If they (players) want to go let them go, there’s a production line of league players that will replace them.
“And if they (Rugby Australia) want to keep coming to rugby league it is showing that their talent pool is that weak that they can’t produce their own.”
While Ritchie did concede McLennan’s feedback had been “smart media-wise”, rugby league legend Laurie Daley had grave issues for the 15-man code.
He believes RA must deal with their pathways, as a substitute of recruiting gamers on the “top end” on profitable contracts.
“The one thing I worry about rugby union, is it is all about the top end,” Daley stated.
“You can’t keep signing people for the Wallabies, (focus on) grassroots, pathways.”
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“It’s because they can’t get their own headlines, no one cares, that’s the problem,” Ritchie stated.
“It is smart media-wise, but is it smart if you are playing rugby union? It is 15 minutes of fame, it is Andy Warhol.
“If you were a rugby union player, would you be getting the you know whats thinking why can’t he focus on our sport other than talking about a rival all the time?”
Rugby Australia have beforehand outlined a lot of gamers short-listed as potential recruits, together with Tolu Koula and Cameron Murray.
Daley believes their poaching of NRL stars is an try and carry eyes to the 15-man code and in addition understands why gamers would take up the multimillion-dollar offers on provide.
“I would have driven him there myself if he (Suaalii) was my son and said, ‘here you go’. Good luck to him,” Daley stated.
“Away you go, you are going to play rugby union if you want to go but I think the discussion is more around rugby union using rugby league to get themselves in the spotlight.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au