League: No shows take shine off test

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is one of 28 unavailable players. Photo / Dean Purcell

Taking into account crutches, stitches and nationality switches, you could instigate quite a post-NRL match-up between the Kiwis and Kangaroos players who are out of bounds for Four Nations selection over the next month.

Sure, there would need to be a few positional changes - perhaps Krisnan Inu could move into five-eighth, Kurt Gidley into hooker and Jamal Idris at prop in such hypothetical circumstances - but it would make for quite a clash, as long as a medical crew of M*A*S*H proportions was on standby.

The fact such team lists could be concocted indicates a shadow of farce hangs over the Four Nations - or at least today's pre-tournament test.

The withdrawals and unavailability of 28 Kiwis and Kangaroos means the series risks bordering on irrelevance in Newcastle.

That is not to suggest players are fudging injuries or the often-used "personal reasons" but given they choose to do it now highlights a lack of interest - or maybe even respect - for international league, whether it is driven by the clubs or players. Frank Pritchard, for instance, is in the process of changing allegiance to Samoa.

Test matches are always given lip service as the ultimate accolade to which players aspire, but this evidence points to clubs holding sway. They own the players and won't jeopardise their chances of starting the next NRL under any circumstances.

What the respective New Zealand and Australian coaches Stephen Kearney and Tim Sheens think about this is uncertain.

Both are NRL coaches anyway and reticent about what they can and are prepared to say on such matters - especially with diplomacy and discretion the most productive responses pre-tournament.

But it must be tempting to imagine what could be achieved if they ran out their best sides.

Sheens has gone so far as to suggest test matches at least have extra zing if his thoughts to the New Zealand Herald this week were any gauge: "In '09 when we were playing the Kiwis we got hammered [early] and ended up fluking a draw, at halftime I said [to the players], 'Look, you are in a test match. It is a different standard of game'."

The paying punters are also let down by downgraded cavalries.

What would they give to see Shaun Johnson blooded at test level in his recent form against Johnathan Thurston?

Well, whatever it is, they'll fork out the same money despite those two talents being absent.

The alternative is to build more windows into the NRL season for the State of Origin and the Anzac test while abridging the season a couple of rounds to retain an international window at the end. Revenue would initially be cut but player welfare might be preserved and careers prolonged.

A better quality of rugby league could result, meaning more people follow the games and the NRL coffers are replenished. Worth a thought.

THE UNLUCKY XIIIs

Kiwis Withdrawals
Josh Hoffman
Sam Perrett
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Steve Matai
Manu Vatuvei
Krisnan Inu
Shaun Johnson
Sam Rapira
Lance Hohaia
Greg Eastwood
Bronson Harrison
Frank Pritchard
Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Interchange: Matt Duffie

Kangaroos Withdrawals
Brett Stewart
Mark Gasnier
Jamie Lyon
Matt Cooper
Justin Hodges
Jarryd Hayne
Johnathan Thurston
Petero Civoniceva
Kurt Gidley
Jamal Idris
Mark Minichiello
Dave Taylor
Glenn Stewart
Interchange: Brent Tate