Anderson: no room for Choc in top 10

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AS his career fades and hopefully his voice, it's time to reflect on where Anthony "The Man" Mundine sits in the pantheon of Australian boxers.

We will rate him over the past 50 years, which excludes pugilists such as Jimmy Carruthers, Les Darcy, Young Griffo, Vic Patrick and Dave Sands.

Anthony Mundine and Joshua Clottey both land snapping jabs during their bout. Source: News Corp Australia

Hopefully Mundine will now call it quits, 14 years after he knocked out Gerrard Zohs in his 2000 debut in front of an assortment of celebrities and spivs at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

He deserves huge credit for becoming an elite performer in two sports, rugby league and boxing. He wasn't the best in either, his mouth always overshadowing his skills.

One of the five times Mundine was put on the canvas by Clottey. Source: News Corp Australia

But the facts are he fought some good fighters and was only knocked out twice. His finest performance to my mind was a points loss to brutal Dane Mikkel Kessler in 2005, proving he belonged on the world stage.

After that loss he should have campaigned in the US instead of continually putting up patsies while attempting to convince everyone through his brash countenance that he would become a world champion.

Mundine lands a jab on Antwun Echols to win the vacant WBA super middleweight title in 2007. Source: News Limited

Sadly he never did win a fair dinkum world title, his belts coming from fights described as Interim World Titles, a confusing tactic used by boxing bodies to ensure more dollars.

Barry Michael, who was ringside for most of Mundine's career, believes he firmly belongs in the top 10 from 1964-2004.

I disagree, rating him in a group along with his father Tony, Danny Green and Daniel Geale just outside.

Is Anthony Mundine among our top 10 fighters of the past 50 years?

Kostya Tszyu delivers an overhand right that finds its target as he fights on the front foot. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S BEST BOXERS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS

I: Kostya Tszyu. His amateur career before turning professional, the quality of his opponents and the titles he held suggest Tszyu is our greatest boxer in that time period after he left Russia 23 years ago.

2: Jeff Fenech. I'm not convinced Fenech would have beaten any or all of Rose, Famechon, Michael and Ellis, but his overall record demands he sit second to Tszyu on this list.

3: Lionel Rose. Has there ever been a more natural boxer than Lionel? He was born to fight and at his peak in 1968-69 was among the finest pound for pound boxers in the world.

Johnny Famechon after successfully defending his world featherweight title in London. Source: News Corp Australia

4: Johnny Famechon. The artful dodger who personified the golden rule in boxing of to hit and not be hit. "Fammo" won his featherweight title when there weren't all the alphabet bodies.

5: Hector Thompson. To my mind the most underrated of any Australian boxer. Beat the best before losing to the best in Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes for world titles.

6: Barry Michael. If every world title was held in a phone booth, Michael would have been champion for a decade. Devastating body puncher who ate big punches for breakfast.

Vic Darchinyan strikes Shinsuke Yamanaka with a left hook during their title fight in Tokyo in 2012. Source: AFP

7: Vic Darchinyan. Never captured the Australian public and has campaigned largely in the US, but for quality of opponents and titles he has to rank highly.

8: Rocky Mattioli. A massive banger who knocked out the best to win his world light middleweight title. Not as scientific as some but had a hammer in both hands.

9: Lester Ellis. For sheer talent the Sunshine Comet ranks up with Rose and Tszyu. It probably all came too early him yet when he put it all together, Lester was a jet.

Jeff Harding returns home to Australia with his light heavyweight world title belt. Source: News Limited

10: Jeff Harding. Copped more punishment than any other Australian world champion, but for sheer toughness nobody betters him.

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How to watch the Tahs for 33 cents

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WHAT costs $5 million to put on the field but less than a postage stamp to watch?

The Waratahs, apparently, based on a new a ticketing deal being advertised on their website.

Under a new membership package tied to the Wallabies, a Combo 4-game deal gets you a ticket to the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney and seats at any three Tahs home games for $90.

Eagle-eyed snouts point out, however, the Test ticket at ANZ Stadium — a bronze general admission — is priced at $89 on its own.

Doing the maths, this would break down to 33-cent tickets to see Izzy, Kurtley and the NSW team; representing either the best value in town or perhaps worries in Tahland about modest crowd figures.

To be fair, it must be said package deals are always the sum of discounted products, and in the wider sporting world, anything tends to go when it comes to boosting the total number of "members".

One rugby province was recently suspected of selling one-game memberships late in the season, although most draw the line at two games at the base-standard deal.

What can then follow is season memberships being counted several times as multiples of two; so an eight-game deal is counted as four members.

Some Australian clubs suspect this is the tactic of one rival currently boasting huge membership numbers.

And which high-profile Sydney NRL club that counts up to 1000 "Pet Memberships" (at $50-a-pop) in their annual tally? The pets would be furry, named Maximus and eat carrots, if that helps.

***

Usually Waratahs players can't wait to get their shirts off and go for a dip after a long training session of curls and bench-presses, but few were overly enthusiastic at a Perth beach on Thursday.

Just as the NSW squad were walking to the beach, they were told that lifeguards had spotted the biggest ever shark off the West Australian coast on Wednesday, estimated to be five metres. We reckon the shark steered clear as soon as it saw Will Skelton wading into the surf.

***

In a big loss for Australian rugby, former Wallabies prop Dan Palmer is set to retire at the age of 25 and pursue full-time studies.

Ex-Brumbies teammate Clyde Rathbone revealed the news in his column last weekend and inquiries of Palmer's management confirmed the 25-year-old plans to hang them up at the end of the current French season, where he plays for Grenoble.

A cerebral front rower (yes, they exist), Palmer is looking to study in the US or possibly at Oxford.

Former Brumbies prop Dan Palmer is set to retire. Source: News Limited

Ewen McKenzie is a big fan and will be disappointed to lose Palmer, after he first blooded him as a teenager for the Waratahs in 2008.

Palmer played one Test for the Wallabies against Scotland in 2012 and injury prevented more Tests that season. He was a rock of the Brumbies scrum last season.

It had been hoped Palmer would return to Australia and be a fixture in the Wallabies squad for years to come.

***

Don't be surprised to see Henry Speight training with the Wallabies well before the IRB officially allows him to play his first Test in September.

Under eligibility rules, Speight can't play a Test for Australia until September 11 because he had a short stint in New Zealand rugby at the end of 2011.

But there are no rules saying a player can't train with a national side before he is eligible to play, and Ewen McKenzie is not the type of coach who plans haphazardly.

If Speight continues to perform at his usual level when he returns from a broken jaw, McKenzie will have him in his squad learning plays and calls well before September.

***

The battleground that is TV rights negotiation tends to be a bloody arena, but the various combatants were holding fire this week after Bill Pulver's early "we want soccer's deal" salvo was fired last weekend.

Pulver wants the ARU to get their current $25m-a-year deal bumped up in 2016 to match the FFA's $40m-a-year deal from Fox Sports and SBS.

Rugby hopes to attract free-to-air interest and create "competitive tension" for their Wallabies and Super Rugby rights. It's understood Channel 10 are undecided if they'll beef up their current deal to screen Tests only, which they buy off Fox Sports.

The ARU are intent on a big result, and we hear Pulver has approached an insider to help them in the next negotiations. John Marquard, a former chief operating officer of both Fox Sports and Channel Ten, has been asked to consult for the ARU.

***

THE Brumbies success in recent years is starting to take a toll on the club's abilities to keep all its star players, and the vultures are circling.

A squad full of offcuts just a few years ago, the ACT squad is now chock full of Wallabies and up to 10 big-name players, including Christian Lealiifano, Scott Fardy, Jesse Mogg and Matt Toomua, are off-contract this year.

Jesse Mogg is one of several Brumbies players off-contract this year. Source: Getty Images

The word is out that with all the expanding salaries they will struggle to fit everyone under the salary cap next year, and clubs like the Rebels and the Force are keeping a very keen eye on proceedings. Melbourne desperately need a Test-quality playmaker and you'd assume they'd pay good money for either Lealiifano or Toomua. The Force need to build depth in a number of positions.

Stay tuned.

***

Congratulations to Western Australia and Victoria, who are the under 17 and under 15 Junior Gold Cup champions respectively after winning their finals last weekend.

The inaugural competition was a huge success, and showed the immense talent coming through in non-traditional rugby states.

Just so you can throw their name into a sideline conversation first, good judges say to keep an eye out for outstanding Victorian centre Sione Tuipulotu, WA's kicking five-eighth Nick Jooste and the Victorian backrowers Robert Loeta-Lu and Robert Valentini.

The Rebels and Force have their men in respective junior programs and tell us they don't intend on letting their next-gen talent go. League's financial lure — though mostly tiny — is a danger at this age but WA and Victoria being non-league states will help hold onto the promising teens, we're told.

***

The drums are beating from Europe that Digby Ioane is heading back to Australia next season. The question remains where?

The obvious destinations appear Melbourne or Queensland, but the mail from Mexico is the Rebels aren't interested.

Digby Ioane could be heading home to Australia. Source: News Limited

Ioane seemed to burn bridges at the Reds on his way out last year over a money dispute, although we're told relations have been mended and the door isn't closed.

With the Waratahs and Brumbies well-stocked for wingers, could Ioane even return to Perth, where he debuted for the Force in 2006?

***

Former Wallabies winger Damian Smith is lending his profile to a "Time to Move" campaign aimed at reducing the debilitating effects of arthritis that affects large numbers of Australia's huge sporting population.

Smith, who was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis after retiring from rugby, is encouraging the implementation of "neuro muscular" training for young kids as they begin to play sport. The techniques help youngsters develop muscular structures that help them avoid serious problems such as knee injuries later in their sporting pursuits.

Neuro-muscular training is used successfully overseas, and the rates of people developing knee injuries after major knee reconstructions (which numbers in the tens of thousands in Australia) were slashed by up to 60% in Norway.

''Time to Move'' is a national collaborative policy white paper spearheaded by Arthritis Australia.

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I’d be a Titan if not for Hodgo: Barba

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BEN Barba held negotiations with the Titans before the influence of Brisbane veteran Justin Hodges helped the Broncos trump their derby rivals for his prized signature.

Barba's revelation comes as NRL head of football Todd Greenberg — the former Bulldogs boss who supported the fullback in his darkest days — claimed the fallen star had again found happiness.

Barba will wear Broncos colours in tonight's Queensland derby, but the 2012 Dally M Medallist admits he seriously contemplated pledging his future to the Titans.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Titans hierarchy sounded out Barba's management last year as he weighed-up his future in Sydney. A key bargaining chip for the Titans was Barba's younger brother Marmin, who lived on the Gold Coast as a member of Intrust Super Cup feeder-club Tweed Heads.

Broncos training — Ben Barba and Justin Hodges. Source: News Corp Australia

The parties held preliminary talks, but two major factors ultimately delivered Barba to the Broncos. One was partner Ainslie Currie's decision to settle in Brisbane with their two daughters. The other was Hodges, who offered to help Barba in a mentoring role if he could broker a release from the Bulldogs.

"It was definitely in the back of my mind to join the Titans," Barba said ahead of tonight's clash at Cbus Super Stadium.

"It was either the Titans or Broncos, and a lot depended on where Ainslie was going with the girls.

"I left it mainly to my management, they did the talking with the Titans and Broncos while I got my life in order.

"It's nice to know a team like the Titans were interested, but a lot was influenced by where Ainslie would end up.

"I have some good mates at the Gold Coast and my brother lives there.

"It was a close call, but in the end I went for Brisbane. I am pretty close with Hodgo and he was a real factor in getting me to the Broncos."

Ben Barba of Brisbane makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Greenberg was Canterbury's chief executive when Barba dropped a bombshell last year, seeking time out on the eve of the 2013 season to address personal problems.

Both Greenberg and Barba have since severed ties with the Belmore club, but the NRL's head of football yesterday revealed he remains interested in the fullback's welfare.

"I've kept in touch with Ben," Greenberg said.

"We've spoken a few times, mainly not talking about his football, mainly talking about his family life. I know he is really happy and he and Ainslie seem really settled in Brisbane so I was happy to see that.

Ben Barba at Broncos training. Source: News Corp Australia

"I think he's still finding his way in Brisbane on the field, but it's clear he's a wonderful footballer and he's in a great environment. He looks to me to be happy on and off the field."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin dismissed suggestions Barba, who has yet to score a try this season, is not delivering value for money.

"Ben was like a lot of us last week, he wasn't at his best," he said. "I don't care if he doesn't score a try for another five weeks, as long as he does the job for the team.

"The good thing about Ben is he's harder on himself than anyone. I have no worries at all."

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Injured Ronaldo a doubt for final

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Source: Paul White / AP

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has sustained a muscle injury in his left thigh, Real Madrid has announced, making the Portuguese striker a doubt for next week's King's Cup final against Barcelona.

"Tests which Cristiano Ronaldo underwent have shown up a muscular injury to his left biceps femoris," Real said, adding that his return to action was dependent on his reaction to rehabilitation.

According to the As newspaper website, Ronaldo could be out for two weeks, which would mean him missing the King's Cup final in Valencia on Wednesday as well as the Champions League semi-final, first leg match on April 22-23.

Ronaldo, scorer of 28 league goals this season, didn't play in Real's 4-0 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday or Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg, officially because of a left knee injury.

Real, third in La Liga behind city rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, host Almeria on Saturday in league action.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was handed welcome news, however, after Brazilian left-back Marcelo resumed training yesterday.

His return comes 10 days after a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Borussia Dortmund matches.

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Schenscher leads Adelaide’s chorus

Adelaide 36ers players go through their yoga routines at Adelaide Arena ahead of Game 2 of the final. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

THERE's no incense burning, chanting or tiny symbols being struck together but the Adelaide 36ers have found their inner calm through the work of team sensei Luke Schenscher.

The Sixers' 214cm centre was introduced to tai chi, then yoga when he was in the US, first steering Georgia Tech into the NCAA Championship game before his NBA stints.

"I've been doing a few different yoga classes for a while," Schenscher said.

"I got into Bikram yoga here in Adelaide, which is real good."

Schenscher, 31, said with his age and body type, the exercise and flexibility were extremely important.

His own routine evolved and he was doing it before practices to prepare his body and to calm the mind.

Adelaide 36ers will use any advantage it can get to take the NBL final to a third game. Source: News Limited

Sixers coach Joey Wright saw the benefits in sharing it with the team and Schenscher now has been leading the 36ers squad through it for much of the season.

"We do it before every game and for recovery as well," he said.

"Before a game, you want to get the blood pumping but to have an inner calm.

"There's breathing exercises and techniques, and stuff with the team for flexibility and stretching."

While most of the players immediately embraced Schenscher's yoga and meditative practices, a few of the younger players initially struggled.

"I guess they thought it was a bit silly and a bit of a laugh," he said.

"But when we started doing it regularly, everyone bought into it.

"It brings you into your body."

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Ricki Lee’s rant: Origin upsets teams

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PLAYERS say it is too early to talk about "it". Coaches are not ready to consider who they might lose to "it".

But the fact remains "it" — the game's greatest spectacle — is only 48 days away, and while that may feel like a lifetime for some, when it comes to our SuperCoach teams, it really isn't.

State of Origin is already on the mind.

SUPERCOACH DEBATE: REPLACING TEDDY

RD6 SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS

Will Josh Mansour be rewarded with a Blues jersey?

Will Corey Parker and Matt Gillett be able to both fit in the Queensland side?

These questions are ones that SuperCoaches ponder more than the average person.

Because if Mansour does make his NSW debut this year, how will your team possibly go on?

Josh Mansour could make his Origin debut this year. Source: Getty Images

These dilemmas may seem minor but they can make or break a SuperCoach's season.

If you ignore the byes and have a team stacked with Origin players, you are only welcoming failure into your side.

As tedious as it can be, a bit of careful planning and selection comes into play here and it is never too early to start.

I have begun to cast my eye over my side to see where I will be losing numbers, and it is not looking good so far.

It's time to start straying towards those New Zealanders and Englishmen and finding suitable backups for the Origin certainties — the Cameron Smiths and Robbie Farahs.

Don't forget the byes either. They are annoying, but probably more lethal than losing Origin players.

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CAUSE FOR CONCERN

The average cheapies. You know the ones I am talking about. They haven't been the best cheapies this year but are the ones who have been getting enough points to boost your salary cap a couple of thousand dollars at a time. Most of them have reached their peak or are about to.

Guys like Matthew Allwood, James Gavet, Josh Starling, Dale Copley and Dylan Napa are the ones to keep a careful eye on. You have to pick the right time to upgrade them. If it is not this week, it will definitely be within the next fortnight.

Rooster James Maloney — out of form or just over-hyped? Source: News Corp Australia

TO PICK OR NOT TO PICK

James Maloney. The Roosters five-eighth has not lived up to his hype from last year and is therefore close to reaching his lowest possible price. In a couple of weeks' time, he could come good again and be a must-have half, causing his price to return to the original number. It is all about choosing the right moment to snap him up and I am not convinced this is the week.

The time could be right to select Raiders' Josh Papalii. Source: News Corp Australia

TIP OF THE WEEK

Greg Inglis or Josh Papalii. Even though these two come under the category of "Origin concerns'', they are both ripe for the picking. Papalii will return from injury with a pretty good pay rise waiting for him at the end of Round 6.

Inglis, meanwhile, has come full circle. He's suffered his salary cuts but is averaging 72.80 and is looking the goods to make back most of the money lost. With James Tedesco gone, Inglis is a must-have.

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TV footage casts doubt on Dogs appeal

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UNSEEN television footage has cast doubt on Canterbury's appeal of the Josh Jackson concussion breach, which has the club facing a $20,000 NRL fine.

On Wednesday night Fox Sports broadcast a series of wide frame angles disputing Canterbury's explanation of the circumstances that saw Jackson play-on while concussed against Cronulla.

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Reports on Wednesday claimed Bulldogs physio Steve McCullagh was treating prop forward Aiden Tolman for a head cut when Jackson sustained his injury in the dying stages of the Round two fixture at ANZ Stadium.

The NRL 360 program showed video of the final minute's play, when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. At the time McCullagh was located behind the goal posts, with Tolman a long distance away on the bench.

Video from when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. Source: FoxSports

After stumbling away from the initial knock, Jackson makes another tackle before McCullagh arrives to check him. After a brief consultation the trainer waves to the bench to indicate Jackson is fine to continue for the final 20 seconds.

When handing down its fine — $10,000 of which has been suspended — the NRL emphasised the Bulldogs had been punished for McCullagh's failure to remove Jackson from the field.

Bulldogs CEO Raelene castle has defended McCullagh's actions, indicating an appeal will be forthcoming.

Video from when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. Source: FoxSports

The NRL has also issued the Bulldogs with a "please explain" over why prop James Graham was allowed to resume after undergoing an off-field concussion check in the Round Four clash against Melbourne. Should another breach be generated, the entire Jackson fine will take force, plus another $20,000, putting the club at risk of a $40,000 hit.

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Mundine suffers unanimous points loss

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ANTHONY Mundine's career is almost certainly over after he took the biggest beating of his life in Newcastle on Wednesday night.

The Man was floored five times by a dominant Joshua Clottey during a one-sided fight but showed enormous courage to get back on his feet and go the distance.

Mundine refused to speculate on his future immediately after the fight.

"I don't want to think about that now," he said.

"I want to take some time off and relax. Who knows?"

Anthony Mundine and Joshua Clottey lock horns. Source: News Corp Australia

Mundine's first knockdown came in the third round when he was caught with a straight right.

He went down twice in round six and again in round eight and round 10 but got back up on each occasion to see out the fight.

"I got caught early and didn't recover the way I wanted to," Mundine said.

"My defence wasn't tight enough but I finished the fight on my feet."

Anthony Mundine takes an upper cut and lands on the mat. Source: News Corp Australia

Clottey stepped into the ring having suffered just four defeats in his 37 bout career.

All four were to world champions — Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Maragarilo and Carlos Baldomir.

And while he had fought only twice since he went the distance with Pacquiao in 2010, there was no sign of any rustiness.

Anthony Mundine gets the count from the referee. Source: News Corp Australia

Right from the opening bell, Clottey was the aggressor and Mundine had no answer to the Ghanaian's rock solid defence.

Mundine's usual crisp jab rarely found its mark and he was scurrying for cover as Clottey came at him with big lefts to the body and overhead rights that found their mark.

Mundine, on the other hand, rarely pierced his opponents defence.

It wasn't until the later rounds that Mundine, in an all or nothing bid for a knockout, even troubled Clottey.

Joshua Clottey victorious. Source: News Corp Australia

It's was no surprise Clottey goes by the nickname "The Hitter".

Right from the outset, his punches had far more venom.

Not surprising, Clottey was a unanimous point's winner with the three judges calling the fight 116-108, 115-109 and 117-108.

Should Anthony Mundine retire?

In the main supporting bout last night, former Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brad "Hollywood" Pitt suffered his first professional defeat — a brutal fourth round knockout at the hands of Team Mundine prodigy Dave Aloua.

Aloua floored Pitt with a sickening blow to the head but the referee surprisingly allowed the fight to continue after Pitt struggled to his feet.

Seconds later, it was all over.

Re-live all the action from the Newcastle Entertainment centre by following our blog below:

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The women behind the Wests Tigers

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THEY say behind every good man is a good woman. At Wests Tigers, you can make that 16 good women.

Meet the team who all but run Wests Tigers.

The club, running fifth after five rounds, employ no less than 16 females in their front office at Concord Oval, the most of any club in the NRL.

And their positions range from chief financial officer to business operations manager, customer service co-ordinator to merchandise co-ordinator.

The team behind the team - The women of the Wests Tigers. Source: News Corp Australia

"It's tremendous – the diversity of roles that females have in our club range right across the board," said Robyn Danzey, the club's match day, venue and event operations senior manager.

"Whether it be our facilities, we look after locker rooms, we assist with our football department, as I said, very diverse.

"The opportunities we are afforded at Wests Tigers are second-to-none, it's a great place to work."

Danzey can only applaud the increased presence of women at NRL clubs.

"I also think those traditional roles of females in the code have expanded," she said.

"We, as staff and professionals here at Wests Tigers, know there are no limits to the roles that we aspire to hold within the game.

"In terms of support roles within the club and leadership roles as well, there are no boundaries at a club level and within the code of rugby league."

Tigers Robbie Farah celebrates a try by Tigers prop Aaron Woods. Source: News Corp Australia

And their jobs aren't always lady-like.

Often many will roll up their sleeves and help pack the club's truck chock-full of merchandise, food and beverages for game day, match-day equipment, media backdrops, dressing room signage and corporate hospitality decorations.

"No-one is dainty," said Hannah Lidster, Wests Tigers business operations manager. "I love it, it's the best part.

"The women are throughout different levels of management as well.

"Even our senior management team is predominantly female. Our CFO (Victoria Momsen) is also female.

"As Grant (Mayer, club CEO) always says, the ladies are the workers. That's why he employs us."

Spectators fill the Eastern hill at Leichhardt Oval. Source: Getty Images

And there is no doubt the women are playing a pivotal role in Wests Tiger's resurgence this year.

The club has won three of five games – including a memorable 34-18 win over Manly at Leichhardt on Sunday - and face North Queensland this Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium.

"We as staff also ride that roller-coaster of highs and lows of professional sport," Danzey said.

"Certainly, the on-field results directly impact our lives on a day-to-day basis. Any support we can provide to ensure we remain competitive at the highest level can only be a win-win for everyone involved in the club."

Mayer said on Monday he employs staff based on ability and experience – not gender.

"I'm heavily involved with the interview process and ensure we have the right people for the right role," Mayer said.

"Each of our staff here at Wests Tigers are exceptionally capable and I'm sure we will enjoy the journey the club takes over the next two to three years."

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Injured stars left financially exposed

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NEITHER Alex McKinnon nor his family will be left out-of-pocket. Not if the early noises from NRL boss Dave Smith come to fruition.

Smith is personally determined to ensure the family do not want for anything, despite the NRL's ongoing failure to secure an insurance policy to cover career-ending injuries.

"The NRL and the rugby league family is there for Alex and will remain there for Alex," Smith said.

"It is, however, important to reflect on current circumstances and we will be reviewing insurance arrangements should a player experience significant injury.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights is carried off an a stretcher. Source: Getty Images

"But irrespective of the outcome of this review I have made it very clear that we will be there to support Alex in these circumstances."

While Smith's plan is to be universally applauded, his task of finding the money that will fund McKinnon's lifelong care is a much less straightforward issue.

In the absence of any financial safeguard, the ARLC's future fund — currently standing at $49.6 million — shapes as the most obvious well, apart from external parties who will be motivated to offer their support.

But should the game have been better placed to withstand a catastrophe such as this?

There's been no shortage of warning. Since 2011 three players — Simon Dwyer, Michael Greenfield and Daniel Conn — have been forced to retire because of spinal/neck problems.

Michael Greenfield comes off injured. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The trio all bowed out before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was finalised a year ago, leaving them exposed to frightening medical costs because their contracts weren't guaranteed.

Of the three, former Wests Tigers forward Dwyer is the highest profile case.

The NRL could offer just $80,000 in compensation, and when the injury was sustained there was still $400,000 owing on his contract.

It was only goodwill from the Tigers that's kept Dwyer from financial ruin, or, worse still, having to engage a lawyer.

Injured Wests Tigers NRL player Simon Dwyer. Source: News Limited

The club drew-up a new contract that ensured Dwyer was paid out while working as a coaching assistant for the past three years.

Dwyer's ordeal highlighted the need for a wholesale insurance scheme, at least to cover players for two years after the onset of a career-ending injury.

When the CBA negotiations heated-up in late 2012, Dwyer's name was often raised as the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) pushed for clubs to guarantee contracts in all circumstances.

The RLPA was successful, but the question of insurance remained unresolved when the CBA was ratified in February 2013.

Its lone mention was for both the RLPA and NRL to make "best endeavours" to obtain a policy to indemnify against career-ending injury.

Former Titan Daniel Conn gets injured late in the game. Source: News Limited

More than 12 months down the track there's still nothing, with players now forced to secure personal insurance for peace of mind.

The game's longest serving player agent, Wayne Beavis, has been left exasperated after campaigning for an insurance scheme well before the CBA was signed off.

McKinnon's fate has not helped Beavis's blood pressure, even though he doesn't represent the stricken player.

Sadly, the complex issue of finding the right insurance policy took a back seat to wrangling over the salary cap, representative bonuses and minimum wage when the CBA was thrashed out.

The change of leadership at League Central hasn't assisted either, with Smith shuffling staff.

New Financial Controller Mark Wilson was only appointed in mid-October, and has been forced to confront a maze of premiums, excesses, and payout restrictions from the get-go.

Senior counsel Nick Weeks has been leading the hunt throughout, but still cannot find a suitable policy.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights lays on the ground after being tackled. Source: Getty Images

There's also the unenviable task of getting the NRL, RLPA and 16 clubs to agree.

The three groups have been discussing with greater urgency for the past six weeks.

The most recent teleconference — held two days after McKinnon's injury — contemplated a $1.6 million policy. The cost was to be split three ways, with the clubs liable for $50,000 per annum.

Most are refusing to pay that type of money unless the product is going to provide satisfactory cover, rather than be littered with restrictions that prevent injured players from claiming in most realistic circumstances.

"Everyone is concerned about player welfare, but three groups have different individual interests and it's difficult to get everyone to agree," one club CEO said.

"The NRL is worried about all levels of the game, the RLPA is worried about post-career and the clubs want some security, because we are exposed to the most risk at the moment.

"It's such a complex issue and really, something that should have been sorted out 18 months ago, rather than in the past six weeks."

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