National Rugby League side Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has called on the NRL to listen to Broncos coach Wayne Bennett’s advice "to save the game’s biggest stars from Origin burnout and injury and take control back from TV networks by copping a pay cut," according to Paul Crawley of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. A "fed-up Bennett delivered NRL bosses another stinging spray" over the weekend when he claimed "they don’t get it ... they just don’t understand what they are doing." Bennett is angry because he believes that "the current Origin schedule is dangerous for players and also cheats fans and clubs in a grab for cash." There "is an understanding changes will be spoken about as part of the new TV deal" after '17.
But Bennett "is of the opinion the NRL and Channel Nine could still negotiate a solution for next year with give and take." Robinson was adamant that "the game has to put player welfare ahead of money and TV demands." He said, "I think the main (change) was around the 10-day breaks so that would mean there would be one Origin on a weekend. But the two others would be on Wednesday nights and it would have the least effect on the competition. ... I think every team can accept that. But there is unfair scheduling at the moment based on the TV rights" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 6/28).
