‘Disheartening’ rep selection furore could drive country stars out

Rugby players from across the Far North spent more than $1000 to ultimately represent North Queensland at the Queensland Country Rugby Championships only to discover multiple players were parachuted into the Queensland team without having a trial for their positions.

FNQ players’ costs were a few hundred dollars more than those at Townsville due to the extra cost of represent FNQ at the NQ Championships, itself a selection trial for the country championships.

But some players were stunned to learn that as many as 10 players were selected for Queensland Country despite not playing at what was billed a selection trial.

It’s understood FNQ Rugby officials, along with those from Townsville, are open to a review of the representative model and could revert to the sub-union model as players represent their cities and not North Queensland.

Former rep rugby player and JCU Mariners player-coach Nick Moller summed up the players’ plight

“It’s disheartening,” Moller said.

“They go through the process and have this prestigious opportunity in their sights – it is prestigious to make this team – only to later find out they weren’t going to be considered.

“It can put a dampener on the rest of the season.

“It’s a great experience to be part of the country championships, but what’s the point in going down if this is going to happen?

“Those few North Queensland players who didn’t go down could’ve made a big difference to the team’s success and made other players stand out even more.

“They are good players, and if they were there it would’ve helped tremendously.”

We can reveal FNQ Rugby officials raised concerns in an email to QCRU last Thursday, with no response forthcoming until after the story broke on Tuesday morning.

FNQ Rugby president Bradyn Boske signed off on the email, which questioned why as many as 10 players selected for Queensland Country did not participate at the championships.

The Heelers squad was named 17 days after the championships, which is sold as a trial competition, and FNQ Rugby members have raised their concerns as to whether the championships are a legitimate selection process.

“By selecting so many players who did not trial, we are discouraging any players who want to strive to make the most prestigious team in QLD Country Rugby from even putting their hand up to fork out the massive fees to participate at the QLD Country Champs year on year,” the email read.

“These players are also taking time off work, travelling long distances and risking injuries to participate at these championships and for what purpose now?

“I am not here to knock any volunteers and the job they are doing, I know as much as most how much effort it takes to volunteer in the rugby community. However, I do feel the need to make sure my sub-union concerns are heard.”

QCRU president Rod Hohn has since been in touch with FNQ Rugby officials.

REP STARS THREATEN TO WALK

Some of North Queensland’s finest rugby union players have threatened to walk away from the Queensland Country representative pathway in protest over a selection furore.

Townsville players paid upwards of $700 and spilt blood to represent North Queensland at the Country Championships in Rockhampton last month, only to discover multiple players had been parachuted into the Queensland team without trialling for their places.

A senior figure in Townsville rugby circles questioned the point of the process if aspects of the final Queensland Heelers team had already been decided before trial matches were played.

One player at the championships, speaking anonymously, said he believed the players who trialled had been sold a false dream.

“It is so disheartening,” the player said.

“We heard towards the back end of the tournament that some of the boys were being selected that weren’t even there and it was definitely going around the NQ camp like what is the point (of being here).

“Forget the money, you are putting your body on the line. You risk injury and then get told you had no chance (of being selected) anyway.

“It doesn’t kill grassroots footy, but you’ve got to make a pretty solid case for half the boys to go back next year because what is the point?

“It’s $700, it is annual leave from work, you are risking injury. We do pride ourselves on playing that higher level but at the end of the day is it worth it? We are asking do we even bother, we’ve done it once and I don’t think we’ll do it again.”

The player challenged Queensland Country Rugby Union to implement changes to selection policy that every player must trial for selection in the Heelers team.

“It’s not their fault they were selected, it’s the selectors and Country management,” the player said.

“To qualify for that tournament (Nationals) you should have to be there at the state championships.

“It is unfortunate for the boys who have placements or injuries or work commitments but unfortunately that’s not your year.

“It will only give fresh talent a go and someone else will get the opportunity.”

Another North Queensland representative agreed it was disappointing some players had not been rewarded for their performances at the trials and agreed the selection drama had drained his enthusiasm for representative football.

Queensland Country Rugby Union president Rod Hohn did not respond to ­inquiries.

Former North Queensland player turned assistant coach Scott O’Neill said he could understand the players’ ­frustrations.

“I can’t blame them at all,” the former North Ward coach said.

“Spending money and getting time off work to play in a competition where even though you know it’s going to be tough to make Country, you want to know if you play your best footy and you’re better than the other men in your position then you should be selected in the squad.

“For me it’s about the whole process which is not right. The system was not right for how the team was picked.

“That’s more of a reflection on the guidelines Queensland Country has in place for how they go about selecting the team.”

O’Neill said players could have done more to press their cases by performing better but acknowledged a lack of transparency around available positions had soured the experience for several.

“No.1, there needs to be more transparency so the coaches and players know what they are paying for,” he said.

“Do that and the players who go away to represent North Queensland know what they are in for and their chances of being selected.

“No.2, we needed to win more football games. If we were better we would have given our guys better ­chances.”

Almost a dozen players withdrew from the championships on the tournament’s eve citing cost, injury and availability concerns.

North Queensland went on to demolish Central Queensland 50-12 but lost to traditional rivals South Queensland 56-24.

More Coverage

The Gamechangers: TDRU’s Top 14 performers of Round 17 revealed

Nic Darveniza

‘We have to bring attitude’: Sydney wary of Country rugby ambush

Amanda Lulham

Former Queensland representatives Joshua Fletcher and Angus Small did not take part at the championships but were both selected for the Heelers.

O’Neill said a position in the Heelers team should have been found for North Ward inside back Declan Marchioni, who headlined his list of notable omissions.

It is understood that Townsville rugby officials are pushing for a review of the Country model and will suggest reverting to a sub-union model that would split North Queensland into Cairns and Townsville teams at future Country Championships.

Originally published as ‘Disheartening’ rep selection furore could drive country stars out