Quote G1="G1"The manner in which they scheduled England's final group game would suggest that perhaps they do.'"
Andy Gilder seems altogether in thrall to rugby union from the posts I've seen on here - not just accepting its superior size and reach but actively thinking the IR(U)B are altogether ignorant of Rugby League and that the date and venue clash on the 10th of October was purely coincidental - no-one in Rugby Union believes that, let alone RL fans.
The problem Edwards, Robinson and Panface have is that they were born and bred into Rugby League, and we all assume they have the same view as so many true believers do - that yes it is sporting genius, but it needs our faith and our protection and our goodwill because there are still those out there who wish it ill. It remains at times a social movement, a badge of identity as much as it is a sport.
Rugby League is tied deep in the ideas of community, has strong links with the co-operative movement and has been very socialist at times. The idea of the importance of the individual taking primacy over that of the team or of the sport is one which it shies away from. For Farrell or Ford to come back to RL and lure away some of its best players, for them to actively to put themselves and their careers away from Rugby League ahead of the greater interests of the sport and the communities that made them, that is what hurts. They are not acting in the protective way we assume all Rugby League people would do.