KEY POINTS:
The game of rugby league has been built on the backs of people who have contributed in all sorts of different ways. Last night there was acknowledgement and celebration of what another great player has added to our history - Ruben Wiki.
Here is a man who portrays
pride, courage and love of his profession and a desire to give 100 per cent every time he arrives to work.
This man deserves every accolade that comes his way and no one can deny him his position in folklore in both New Zealand and Australia. To commemorate his achievement of 300-plus games in this competition is the least we can do, considering the feat.
Longevity in this game is not a guarantee, considering the ferocity of rugby league today. When Ruben finally calls it a day as a player, he will rightly hold a place in history as one of the greats.
My question is: What do we do to honour our former great players many more years down the track?
It is left to individual people like Bernie Wood, John Coffey and Don Hammond to keep the flame alive for former players.
Bernie, being an administrator and Board member for both Wellington and New Zealand, along with a couple of assistants, organises the Legends of League functions around the country with inductions every few years.
Coffey is the true rugby league journalist from Christchurch who long held his position with The Press and has been the author of many of New Zealand's rugby league publications. He has also combined with Bernie on a number of occasions to produce such books.
Hammond was a Kiwi player of repute during the 50s and 60s and has religiously held together the Kiwi Association with the annual Kiwi reunion functions in Auckland for players, coaches, managers and administrators. He also compiles information, archival paraphernalia and informs those in the Association at least once a year with a mail-out.
Their time is not going to last forever and I think their contributions are sometimes taken for granted or left in their hands because they do a great job.
But can the work they do be given more weight with the support of a bigger organisation? The work of these men and their helpers is a job best placed under the jurisdiction of a provincial or the national body to be given greater support.
Our past great players receive significant public recognition when the national body can use its status to highlight the achievements of future Ruben Wikis at functions with a larger media presence.
The time has come for players to understand their place in rugby league history - with Ruben standing on the same stage as Mark Graham, Roy Christian, Roger Bailey, Dennis Williams and Olsen Filipaina.
The national body needs to embrace this responsibility before the flame goes out in the men who currently hold the duty.
