NRL fans are once again demanding the regular season be put on hold for three weeks during the State of Origin period after the Broncos and Rabbitohs game on Thursday night was robbed of some serious star power. Broncos players Payne Haas, Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs were all barred from playing because they’ll line up in Origin 2 on Wednesday night, and it was the same for Souths captain Cameron Murray.
Haas, Walsh and Staggs were all forced to watch on as Brisbane were thumped 48-6 for their sixth-straight loss. Round 15 is one of three major bye rounds throughout the NRL season, which take place in the lead-up to the Origin fixtures.
In all three major bye rounds, seven teams are given the week off. But five games are still played, meaning those teams have to make do without their State of Origin players if they’re scheduled to play. It meant half the Broncos team resembled a Queensland Cup side, and it was largely a mismatch on Thursday night.
It’s even worse for the Roosters and Dolphins game on Friday night, with the Roosters without James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sam Walker, Reece Robson, Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley. The Dolphins will be missing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Tom Flegler, Max Plath and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
The current system has been panned for years, with many pointing out it ruins the integrity of the NRL season. The ideal scenario would be to out the NRL season on hold for three weeks and play all three Origin games on consecutive Sundays.
NRL fans call for State of Origin change
One person wrote on Thursday night: “Seriously get sick of saying it! Suspend all club matches and have an exclusive 3 game State of Origin window and then back into it on a level playing field. These ridiculous split rounds get more farcical every year.”
Another commented: “This Origin schedule makes a farce of the NRL season. It HAS to be a designated 3-4 week representative period in the next broadcast deal.” While a third added: “Hate the Origin during the regular season. Ruins seasons.”
Mitchell Moses, Ethan Strange and Hudson Young will miss the Parramatta and Canberra game on Saturday night, while Addin Fonua-Blake, Briton Nikora, Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell aren’t allowed to play in the Sharks and Warriors game. Api Koroisau, Jojo Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are all forced to miss the Tigers and Titans clash.
This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/fresh-calls-for-three-week-suspension-after-nrl-farce-laid-bare-in-broncos-and-souths-game-023523136.html
