Newcastle Knights winger James McManus will play just his second State Of Origin match next Wednesday night in a move that sees the in form winger make a decision I completely understand.
McManus, who was born in Scotland, has turned his back on a walk up start in the World Cup for his nation of birth for a New South Wales jersey.
This is the issue with the eligibility rules we have in Rugby League. They give us representative teams that don’t actually represent who they are supposed to!
There is no way in the world McManus could turn down the huge match payment on offer from a single State Of Origin game for a place in Scotland’s World Cup side. As a professional sportsman he would be stupid to.
McManus has been in fantastic form this season. He has been one of the best wingers in the NRL. The thing is, he is Scottish. He is not from New South Wales. That is the ridiculous situation that the current eligibility rules force upon the game.
New South Wales are heavy underdogs going into the match. QLD are strong favourites at 1.60, with home team NSW at 2.40 (odds courtesy of TAB and Luxbet respectively.).
