National Rugby League clubs "will be asked to explain the miraculous recoveries of the 29 players ruled out of representative teams last week, only to be named for their clubs on Tuesday night," according to Michael Chammas of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The NRL "is frustrated over the club's treatment of the representative round, with the legitimacy of the matches high on the agenda" for Wednesday's CEO meeting. It appears that "a miracle cure is doing the rounds in the NRL with an incredible 29 of the 31 players that were either made unavailable or withdrew from the representative matches named to return this weekend" (SMH, 5/6).
MOSS 'DISILLUSIONED': In Sydney, Adrian Proszenko reported "disillusioned" Australian businessman and Parramatta Eels fan Bill Moss believes that "factionalism has rendered Parramatta 'dysfunctional' to the point the NRL has no choice but to step in to save the wooden spooners from themselves." Moss "was effectively turned away from the club on Monday night during one of the most heated annual general meetings in Parramatta Leagues Club history." Moss "was philosophical about the members' decision to oppose an eighth director, but was aghast they chose not to back a resolution seeking to bind the board to a code of conduct." Moss: "I'm quite disillusioned that people in this room, who are supposedly Parramatta fans, voted the way they did. No company ever in the world, I would say, in a business forum, when shareholders have got a choice to say, 'do you want a code of conduct for your directors or not?' says no" (SMH, 5/6). Also in Sydney, Brad Walter reported the NRL Nines tournament "is set to open the pre-season again next year but will be played over three days" under a proposal to be discussed at Wednesday's meeting. Sydney-based club CEOs "are expected to attend the meeting at League Central, while others will take part via conference call" as they discuss five key issues -- crowds, club funding, membership, salary cap and the '15 pre-season schedule (SMH, 5/6).
