Scheduling of Representative Games

After the 3rd installment of the NRL All Stars game, the debate of scheduling of such games has raised it's head  after injuries received during the game.  Now the talk is about whether such a game should beheld before the season starts.

This is a serious issue that the NRL needs to handle carefully and clubs also need to be careful about how they approach the debate.  I can understand that Souths and their fans will not be happy that Greg Inlgis has injured his ankle and will be out of action until at least the first round but this is the same club and group of fans that would have been happy that Inglis was selected for the game.  All clubs and fans want their players to be selected for representative games and such events can happen.  The only problem is a representative game is usually played midway or after the season is over when all players are in peak condition and match fit.

Instead we have a game being played with intensity when players are only just starting pre-season games and are still working towards being ready for round one.  The concept of the game is good but the timing of the game is not.  For this concept to keep going the NRL need to find a better time in the season to hold the game.

Also I find it weird to watch a player come out for a representative game with his clubs emblem on his sleeve when he has not even played a game for his current club (Chris Sandow for example), as will be a regular situation with the crazy club switching that happens currently.

But then the question is when to play the game.  Comments today have suggestions of playing it in Grand Final week will mean that you will also be missing players from the teams competing the Final.  It certainly cannot be played during the season as the Origin takes enough toll on players at the moment.  The only other time would be to hold it after season end when all club commitments are over.  Then the only problem would be whether or not players selected for National squads would be available for selection.  Why scrap the ANZAC Test match and have it then?

The NRL is going to have a serious headache on this one and there is no easy answer.  Which ever way they go there will be disgruntled fans, clubs and players.  If only players didn't get injured and the debate wouldn't even need arguing.