Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan believes if NSW have to pick Paul Gallen this season then rugby league in the state has a problem.
Gallen, Cronulla’s captain, announced on Thursday he would come out of representative retirement to captain City Origin in the final installment of the historic City-Country fixture in Mudgee next Sunday.
The 35-year-old has only played for City once – off the bench in 2006 – before going on to play 32 Tests for Australia and 24 Origin games for NSW. Gallen said he was honoured to captain City in the last match against Country which has been played annually since 1928.
Gallen has been in outstanding form for Cronulla so far this season but Flanagan was adamant his captain should not be selected for NSW despite Gallen not ruling out an Origin swansong.
“I think that’s just Gal playing the game. Gal’s retired from Origin. If we have to pick Gal NSW rugby league in general has got a problem,” he said.
“I think the Wade Grahams, the Cordners, the Frizells and all those type of players are ready to go. Gal could probably play front row there but then some of the other NSW front-rowers need to pull their finger out if they need to pick Paul Gallen.”
While slightly hesitant in allowing Gallen to play, Flanagan admitted Gallen’s inclusion wasn’t yet 100 per cent assured. Gallen and any other of Cronulla’s prospective City-Country representatives still need to get through their clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night.
Flanagan said he supported Canterbury coach Des Hasler’s decision to block his Bulldogs players from playing City-Country and said the Sharks could potentially be in the same boat with only five days between the game in Mudgee and Cronulla’s derby clash with St George Illawarra.
“We play on the Friday night so it’s a concern for us as well. We won’t be letting any players play that are carrying injuries into the game so we could pull players out as well,” he said.
“At the moment Gal’s in but he’s got a game to play on the weekend so he’s not 100 per cent to play next week but we’ll assess that after the game.”
But Flanagan said while he had concerns about Gallen suffering an injury playing for City there was also a bright side. It will be a chance for the former NSW captain and skipper of the reigning NRL premiers to promote the game in the bush along side some of the best young players in the game.
“As the senior club we’ve got a bit of an obligation to develop rugby league whether it’s in our area or out of our area,” Flanagan said.
“Part of Paul’s reasoning for this is to put a bit of profile to the game and if he does that and gets out of it injury free it’s a good outcome for everyone.”