Tiri attributes downfall of rugby league to politics, players’ attitude

By JOHN SUPA
FORMER Kumul Max Tiri has blasted the country’s rugby league administration and current players for slowly “killing” the game.
One of the most capped test players in a Kumul jersey with 32 tests under his belt,  Tiri pointed to the games politics and poor overall attitude of players as the main causes of the downfall.
“The current decline in the state of the game is the continuous power play up at top management while many leagues have become non-existent. Many more are operating on ad hoc basis with no affiliations to the national body,” Tiri said.
“Players, especially in the Digicel Cup competition and through to the Kumuls are losing touch of the game. The crop of players identified as the top echelon or bracket of the game have no vision, lack discipline, drive and determination to ensure their longevity in the game.”
Tiri said there was no professionalism in the current Digicel semi-professional competition, and that the franchise teams were always subject to the monopolised power and administration of the PNG National Rugby League.
“There is no coordination. Cooperation among the real stakeholders of the game is nil.
“The PNG NRL should appoint former Kumuls to run the show instead of people who have no heart for the game, and will contribute very little to improving the actual playing standard of the game,” Tiri said.
He also called on the top management to provide the motivational drive right down to the grassroots level if it was serious about reviving the sport.
“The interest we used to hold for the game in the 1980s and 1990s are no longer there.
“There has been a sickening trend of management that has resulted in the significant drop in standards,” Tiri said.