Veteran rugby league reporter Dean Ritchie has slammed Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan for seeking his “15 minutes of fame” after taking multiple jabs at rugby league.
Following reports the Roosters were considering an early release for rugby recruit Joseph Suaalii, McLennan has been vocal stating “Joey’s treatment is nothing short of horrible”.
He also questioned the Tricolours’ salary cap and the NRL’s treatment of players, explaining RA could also sign Angus Crichton and head coach Trent Robinson.
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McLennan has never shied away from taking potshots at the rival code, but Ritchie has had enough and believes he should focus on his own organisation.
“Hamish McLennan or whatever his name is, he is certainly enjoying his 15 minutes of fame through rugby league,” Ritchie said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“Don’t you think, if you were a rugby union player at the highest level, I’d be thinking why my chairman is persisting in talking rugby league every day when the junior system is up the you know what.
“The subbies clubs at grassroots are falling over every day, the Waratahs, you wouldn’t even know when they are playing.
“Start focusing on our game, grow up and start looking after my own back yard instead of trying to get a headline through rugby league.”
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He also questioned the aim of McLennan’s constant barbs, explaining Rugby Australia need to poach NRL stars because their own talent pool is weak.
“Just because Hamish persists in using rugby league, do you think that’s going to make (people) go out and watch rugby union?” Ritchie said.
“What is his end push here for, what is he seeking? If they (players) want to go let them go, there’s a production line of league players that will replace them.
“And if they (Rugby Australia) want to keep coming to rugby league it is showing that their talent pool is that weak that they can’t produce their own.”
While Ritchie did concede McLennan’s comments were “smart media-wise”, rugby league legend Laurie Daley had grave concerns for the 15-man code.
He believes RA needs to focus on their pathways, instead of recruiting players at the “top end” on lucrative contracts.
“The one thing I worry about rugby union, is it is all about the top end,” Daley said.
“You can’t keep signing people for the Wallabies, (focus on) grassroots, pathways.”
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“It’s because they can’t get their own headlines, no one cares, that’s the problem,” Ritchie said.
“It is smart media-wise, but is it smart if you are playing rugby union? It is 15 minutes of fame, it is Andy Warhol.
“If you were a rugby union player, would you be getting the you know whats thinking why can’t he focus on our sport other than talking about a rival all the time?”
Rugby Australia have previously outlined a number of players short-listed as potential recruits, including Tolu Koula and Cameron Murray.
Daley believes their poaching of NRL stars is an attempt to bring eyes to the 15-man code and also understands why players would take up the multimillion-dollar deals on offer.
“I would have driven him there myself if he (Suaalii) was my son and said, ‘here you go’. Good luck to him,” Daley said.
“Away you go, you are going to play rugby union if you want to go but I think the discussion is more around rugby union using rugby league to get themselves in the spotlight.”
