Some really important statements have been made in the last 12 to 24 hours about the Rugby League World Cup, and they’ve all come from the players.
Their voice we didn’t hear when Australia and New Zealand announced that they wouldn’t be going to the tournament.
Melbourne and Queensland representative Christian Welch in his role as a spokesperson for the Rugby League Players Association said the decision was, "Thoroughly disappointing", and that, "The players weren’t consulted".
He’s said that, "The players had an understanding of the protocols and the quarantine so it wasn’t going to be the most enjoyable trip compared to pre COVID times, but the majority of players were keen to give it a go, that’s what’s so disappointing".
Some pretty important points there, and then overnight Jason Taumalolo said he intends on leading Tonga, and he expects his teammates to join him, the World Cup is too important to his people to miss.
Joel Thompson, who was playing the Super League with St Helens, he’s had COVID in his time over there, and I can tell you when I spoke to him last night he said he’s prepared to suffer COVID five or six times if it meant playing for his country.
I think these voices need to be heard and considered. I firmly believe the Australian Rugby League, New Zealand Rugby League and the NRL clubs need to revisit this decision not to go before it is too late.
What would be wrong in canvassing every single player before the end of this week with a simple question.
Are you willing and available for the World Cup this year knowing what the procedures and protocols would be?
From those responses we can then look at how many players there are ready to compete.
Yes, there are health risks, but other sports are trying to press ahead, guarantees have been given from organisers regarding procedure, protocols and safety.
Player power, it might just save the World Cup and international rugby league.