LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
As the State of Origin season begins, discussions around its impact on the NRL are heating up, particularly regarding the absence of key players from club teams.
With 36 athletes missing during this period, questions arise about whether the league should reconsider its scheduling practices.
However, Blues legend Andrew Johns strongly opposes such changes, stating, "There are people calling for a month off [the NRL season], that won't work." He emphasized on Nine's Freddy and the Eighth, that while some advocate for international Tests, the current system is the most effective.
Johns believes that the temporary loss of Origin representatives levels the competition, allowing underdog teams a chance to defeat top contenders.