Cameron Smith believes the NRL should’ve involved the players in the conversation regarding Australia’s participation in the Rugby League World Cup in the UK.
Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo took the decision out of the player’s hands when they said that the Kangaroos will withdraw from the event.
While Smith admitted that he wouldn’t join the international squad if he were still playing, he certainly understands the eagerness of less experienced players wanting to represent their country.
“I can completely understand a guy that hasn’t had the opportunity to play in a world cup before wanting to go over,” said Smith on SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Vossy.
“Or a guy that’s maybe only started playing for the Kangaroos and he wants to continue playing games and wants to go over to the UK and be involved in a World Cup, absolutely."
In light of several players confessing they would like to participate in the competition, the former Kangaroo captain said you could not blame players for wanting to go over to England.
“And I wouldn’t hold anything against (them),” said Smith.
"I don’t think we can hold anything against any of our athletes that want to go over and want to be involved in the World Cup.
“I just think they needed to be a part of the conversation when that decision was made, rather than just going ‘oh we’re not going’.
“Then all the players are going, ‘well hang on a minute fellas, we want to go and play, we want to represent our country’.
“If we have a conversation about the protocols and the quarantining and we have an understanding of what the process is to get over to the UK and then what happens especially when we get back to Australia,
“If we all agree that we're happy to live with those protocols, then let’s do it.
“Let's go and play for Australia.”
The discussion regarding the Rugby League World Cup continues to rage on as players with dual nationality are exploring options to play for their respective countries as they are desperate to represent their heritage at the highest level.
Listen to the full chat with Cameron Smith here: