League: NRL players undergo etiquette training

Benji Marshall and his Wests Tigers teammate Robbie Farah had to role play asking for sparkling water at a bar. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Had the door politely held open for you lately? Chances are it was one of those well-mannered Wests Tigers.

The NRL club's players attended an etiquette course yesterday as they prepared for a sponsor meet-and-greet.

Conducted by business and social etiquette specialist Anna Musson, the Tigers were told they should greet sponsors before their mates at functions, take one canape at a time and not talk with their mouths full.

Other topics included correct handshake technique and what to do when you forget somebody's name.

With the NRL rocked by a series of sex scandals in 2009, there was also a timely lesson on how to treat women, although some would consider some of the tips a tad old fashioned.

Under a slide headed "A well mannered man ... ", the list included always complimenting a "lady" on how she looks, paying for dinner and drinks on a night out and holding the door open.

Big names Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah were asked to role play situations, Marshall learning how to avoid a Mark Latham-style politician's handshake and Farah asking at a makeshift bar: "Could I please have a sparkling water?"

An NRL player attending a function should always be capable of driving home, Musson told the group.

Tigers centre Chris Lawrence said the main benefit for him was learning how to introduce himself to a club sponsor.

"Sometimes I'm a bit nervous going up in a formal setting with sponsors but I think it's probably given us a bit more confidence to be able to speak to sponsors," the 21-year-old told reporters.

"This day and age it's a very important part of the game because sponsors provide so much money and pour so much money into the game, it's crucial.

"Without them the game wouldn't survive so it's definitely important that the players and the sponsors build up that sort of relationship."

Lawrence said he and his teammates had been a bit wary of the exercise.

"Like everyone when they hear about etiquette class, they're a bit like, `What's this going to be about?"' he said.

"But I found it very useful and I'm now glad that I did it, it gave me a lot of pointers."

He said the scrutiny NRL players were under meant they needed to be smart about socialising.

"You've just got to be careful," he said.

"I think it's all about surrounding yourself with the right people who aren't going to get into trouble."

- AAP