CRL boss Terry Quinn calls for firmer leadership from NRL over Bulldogs’ rep snub

A DISAPPOINTED Josh Jackson says he has to accept Canterbury’s decision to deny him an emotional homecoming in the City-Country match in Mudgee.

A BITTERLY disappointed Josh Jackson says he has no option but to accept Canterbury’s decision to deny him an emotional homecoming during the final City-Country match in Mudgee.

The Bulldogs have banned their players from appearing in the representative match on Sunday week because they face North Queensland four days later.

They will have no such problems releasing players for Origin II and having them back up less than 48 hours for the round-16 clash against the Warriors in New Zealand.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant said while he was disappointed the Bulldogs were not prepared to play ball, there were no rules in place that could have forced them to release their players.

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Jackson can’t do much about the club’s decision. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Jackson, a Mudgee junior, said his first Country game remained “one of the proudest moments in my career so far.

“I’d love to be a part of it, but the club has made a decision and I’ll have to respect that,’’ Jackson told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve spoken about trying to get up there (for promotional purposes) but it will depend on our training schedule. If I can I will definitely get out there.’’

Another Canterbury and Country representative, Aiden Tolman, added it was easier to release players for Origin because “it’s a different spectacle’’ and “it’s a lot bigger game’’.

Furious CRL officials labelled Canterbury’s stance a “slap in the face” for bush footy fans. Quinn would like to see firmer leadership from the NRL as the governing body.

“Well it is under their jurisdiction, they sanction the game every year and they underwrite the game,” Quinn said.

“That’s the most annoying thing about it. The governing body is the NRL, but they don’t want to seem to take any strong hand in this.

“My opinion is if the game has been sanctioned by the NRL and it’s on the calendar to be played, then everyone should be available for that game.”

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The CRL and NSWRL both paid for chartered flights to transport players home immediately after last year’s match in Tamworth. St George Illawarra and Canberra faced off against each other just four days after the game in Tamworth.

This is the same gap Canterbury will have prior to their round 10 clash against North Queensland at ANZ Stadium.

The CRL and NSWRL will hire chartered planes again in Mudgee this year, with the flights to cost about $15,000 each.

This cost wasn’t originally factored into Country’s budget, which is allocated by the NRL, and CRL officials fear they may have to fork money out of their own pockets to fund the flight.

Jackson is proud of his involvement in City-Country. Photo: Mark Evans

“We’ve got the flight ready to go and the players will leave after the game in Mudgee about 8.30pm,” Quinn said.

“We’ve also been working with clubs through Craig Fitzgibbon with GPS and training to see what the players’ loads are and to make sure they don’t exceed them.

“Fitzy is very conscientious of that and to make sure it happens, because he has got players at his club (the Roosters) as well. I’m just very disappointed in the attitude of them (Canterbury).

“I can understand the short turnaround, but a few years ago they were playing on Fridays and backing up on Saturdays. So we’ve come a long way and we’ve done everything we can to make sure the players’ welfare comes first.”