Eight of Penrith’s premiership-winning players have sacrificed a week of holiday to avoid being rubbed out of next month’s World Club Challenge against St Helens.
The Panthers players who featured in last year’s World Cup final have all decided to return to training prematurely to ensure they meet the health and safety requirements set out in the collective bargaining agreement.
Nathan Cleary back at Panthers training.Credit:Panthers
Under the terms and conditions signed off by the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association, players are ineligible to play in a match unless they have had six weeks of training prior.
It’s why Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Spencer Leniu and Izack Tago were all in attendance at Penrith training on Monday morning.
The players travelled to the United Kingdom within days of their premiership triumph over Parramatta and didn’t begin their annual leave until the conclusion of the World Cup on November 21.
They weren’t due back to training until January 16, which would not have given them enough time to be eligible to compete in the World Club Challenge at BlueBet Stadium on February 18.
Panthers Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu playing for Samoa at the World Cup.Credit:Getty Images
“The Panthers had a number of players represent their home nations at the most recent Rugby League World Cup with eight of our squad playing in the final,” Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron said.
“As a result, their mandated and well-deserved leave entitlement were pushed back into January. That being said, those players have now forgone part of their leave entitlements and have re-joined the main squad to be eligible for selection on the 18th of February.
“Although they are back at training, the club still has a responsibility to ensure they are match ready in time for the World Club Challenge and will be doing everything possible to get our best team possible on the park.”
The Panthers were unable to force the players back to training and were bracing for the possibility of having to field an under strength team for the match against the Super League champions next month.
“It speaks volumes for the culture of this team and the character of the individuals,” Cameron said.
“They didn’t have to come back to training, but once again – as they have done throughout their careers – they’ve put the club and the team first. The hunger for success is what drives this team and it’s a credit to Ivan [Cleary] and the coaching staff for helping instil that mentality.
“We’re working hard to get every player available for selection in front of what we hope is a sellout crowd in our own backyard. It’s very rare you get the opportunity to play a World Club Challenge at home, so we’ll be respecting that opportunity.”
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