NRL should fine Melbourne if they had any backbone. Having said that, it could really do with attracting a major sponsor and prize fund. I''m sure £250,000/£500,000 would make it a lot more attractive.

The sooner Cameron Smith packs it in the sooner RL can get on with expanding the international game, have no doubt he had a major say in this decision

Since he became head of the NRL players union we have seen the ANZAC test disappear, Australian players get at least one off season with no internationals every 4 years, and earlier this season he even threatened a world cup boycott to increase NRL player salaries

Aussie selectors should just stick 2 fingers up to the NRL players union and just say, If you don't want to play for your country , there are plenty of others who do. If anyone makes themselves unavailable for selection due to anything other than injury the they don't get selected until the next World Cup cycle.

It's a shame our players couldn't organise an effective union to be honest. It would go some way to addressing issues such as a salary cap that imposes a real-terms pay cut on players, the number of games we ask our top talent to play and various player safety issues.

I still can't believe that drop-off at the end of the Old Trafford in-goals hasn't been properly addressed, but I bet it would have been with an effective players union.

I think Mags likes the drop at OT. I.m sure he went "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" when he scored his 2nd try. Even with the help of Farrells knees in 2015 he still enjoyed the slide.

Given the World Cup and the fact the WCC is still pre season for NRL sides, I'd be surprised if Melbourne didn't send a virtual reserve team if it goes ahead. There's no way they'll do anything to risk the fitness of Smith and Slater in particular.

I wouldnt mind playing their reserves (as long as we beat them of course), it would only make up for the 2010 WCC where Melbourne fielded a side worth around double their salary cap!

Then we could add "you're not true World Champions because you only played a reserve side" next to "you're not true SL Champions, Castleford are".......the frothing of mouths would be great.

I think Melbourne stuck [ione[/i finger up at the concept in a large part because they have played in the WCC four times so far and in every case have had to play in the UK. 2009 and 2012 they requested it in Oz and were refused.

Do your research. ANZAC Test played every year since 2004 - including this year (we won 30-12 BTW)