Granty
21-04-2006, 07:29 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18879839-5003409,00.html
It's all or nothing
Barry Dick and Dean Ritchie
April 21, 2006
THE Australian Rugby League is on a collision course with Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy over whether they will be available to torment Queensland in this year's State of Origin series.
Johns and Kennedy want to play in next month's Test against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium but not in the Origin series or end-of-season Tri-Nations tournament but the ARL is adamant players will not be able to pick and choose which representative fixtures they play.
If the ARL stands firm with its "all or nothing" attitude, Johns and Kennedy may be forced to play for the Blues in the Origin series, which starts in Sydney on May 24, or be stood down from NRL matches for their clubs, Newcastle and Manly.
Kennedy yesterday withdrew his application for an exemption from representative football but indicated he wanted to make the May 5 Test his last in a representative jersey.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said the board had approved Kennedy's application but the Manly skipper could not now "pick and choose" which games he played.
"The board can only consider what is put in front of it and Ben's application was to withdraw his application for an exemption," Carr said.
"As far as we are concerned, that means he is available for all representative football in 2006.
"We can't have a situation where players pick and choose which representative games they play.
"Ideally every player in the game should be available to represent their state and country but we do take into account the long service certain players have given and will continue to treat each application for exemption on its merits."
Kennedy, 32, yesterday told Manly he would retire at the end of the 2006 NRL season so his availability for the end-of-season Tri-Nations tournament in Australia and New Zealand would not be an issue.
Late yesterday, his manager said he thought Kennedy would be available for NSW but that was not the impression the Sea Eagles skipper gave at his media conference, where he mentioned only the Test.
"Playing for my country remains close to my heart and I have made myself available to play if chosen," Kennedy said.
"Coach Ricky Stuart had a lot to do with my early career in the game and it would be wonderful to play my last Test match alongside Andrew Johns.
"And there is the nightmare of that heavy defeat at the hands of the Kiwis last year."
Johns, 32 next month, has said he wants to play against the Kiwis but not in the State of Origin series but he has not applied for an exemption.
"Players say things in the media from time to time but the ARL has not heard from 'Joey'," Carr, who is also general manager of the NSWRL, said.
"He has not made an application for an exemption. As far as we are concerned he is available (for Origin)."
Johns and Kennedy were outstanding for NSW in last year's series, which NSW won 2-1 and there was a strong school of thought the Maroons would have won the series if the pair had not been there.
It's all or nothing
Barry Dick and Dean Ritchie
April 21, 2006
THE Australian Rugby League is on a collision course with Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy over whether they will be available to torment Queensland in this year's State of Origin series.
Johns and Kennedy want to play in next month's Test against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium but not in the Origin series or end-of-season Tri-Nations tournament but the ARL is adamant players will not be able to pick and choose which representative fixtures they play.
If the ARL stands firm with its "all or nothing" attitude, Johns and Kennedy may be forced to play for the Blues in the Origin series, which starts in Sydney on May 24, or be stood down from NRL matches for their clubs, Newcastle and Manly.
Kennedy yesterday withdrew his application for an exemption from representative football but indicated he wanted to make the May 5 Test his last in a representative jersey.
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said the board had approved Kennedy's application but the Manly skipper could not now "pick and choose" which games he played.
"The board can only consider what is put in front of it and Ben's application was to withdraw his application for an exemption," Carr said.
"As far as we are concerned, that means he is available for all representative football in 2006.
"We can't have a situation where players pick and choose which representative games they play.
"Ideally every player in the game should be available to represent their state and country but we do take into account the long service certain players have given and will continue to treat each application for exemption on its merits."
Kennedy, 32, yesterday told Manly he would retire at the end of the 2006 NRL season so his availability for the end-of-season Tri-Nations tournament in Australia and New Zealand would not be an issue.
Late yesterday, his manager said he thought Kennedy would be available for NSW but that was not the impression the Sea Eagles skipper gave at his media conference, where he mentioned only the Test.
"Playing for my country remains close to my heart and I have made myself available to play if chosen," Kennedy said.
"Coach Ricky Stuart had a lot to do with my early career in the game and it would be wonderful to play my last Test match alongside Andrew Johns.
"And there is the nightmare of that heavy defeat at the hands of the Kiwis last year."
Johns, 32 next month, has said he wants to play against the Kiwis but not in the State of Origin series but he has not applied for an exemption.
"Players say things in the media from time to time but the ARL has not heard from 'Joey'," Carr, who is also general manager of the NSWRL, said.
"He has not made an application for an exemption. As far as we are concerned he is available (for Origin)."
Johns and Kennedy were outstanding for NSW in last year's series, which NSW won 2-1 and there was a strong school of thought the Maroons would have won the series if the pair had not been there.