INTERNATIONAL Rugby League chairman Troy Grant has issued a blunt rebuke to critics of the new great grandparent rule: “It may not be as pure as some people think it should be or fit their mindsets. I don’t really care.”
The IRL announced on Monday that eligibility for selection would be extended to the great grandchildren of those born in the country in question, going back a generation from the current rule.
No other major sport allows national teams to be picked on the basis of great grandparents and the decision has caused a storm on social media, being mocked outside the sport and criticised within.
Grant said there were things that happen within the IRL of which fans are unaware but did not expand on that point.
When the former deputy premier of NSW was asked what he would say to those critics, he responded: “Our interest is growing international rugby league because we believe it’s the greatest game on Earth.
“… and to give more access for that to be played at the elite level.
“Anyone that loves rugby league, wins – that’s my answer back to them.
“They’re welcome and entitled to their opinions. International rugby league fans are at times fanatical, they’re passionate and we respect that.
“But there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that they’re not aware of that they provide commentary on and they’re entitled to do that and they’re entitled to their opinion.
“But we understand what works and what doesn’t and we only ever operate in the best interests of rugby league’s growth across the world.
“The fact we’re now at 59 nations, which shocks everyone when I have that conversation, that’s a measure in itself.
“How many years or decades have we had two or three nations that have been competitive in the World Cup?
“We came into this World Cup with five legitimate chances in the men’s, for example. That’s only going to grow.
“So I think the strategies and what we’re doing is working.
“It may not be as pure as some people may think it should be or fit their mindsets. I don’t really care about that.
“I respect and appreciate. I care about growing the game and giving every player the opportunity to represent their nation.
“And I care that the fans get the best outcomes which we have seen during this World Cup because there’s nothing better than some of the action we’ve seen on the field and in and around this World Cup and I think it speaks for itself.”
One of the major concerns of those in developing nations is that allowing teams to pick more heritage players will disincentivise domestic development in many nations.
“I think it works both ways,” Grant argued. “Domestically a lot of people looked for the nations to shine on a bigger stage.
“And that can be accelerated if they see their nation being showcased and compete at the elite level.
“I think that can actually stimulate that growth and participation and we’ve seen that happen across a number of nations.
“I think you’ll get more of that than the opposite.”
