Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter says Luke Brooks has progressed beyond being an under 20s player and called for the NRL to review their selection criteria for junior rep games.

The Tigers’ decision along with that of Souths to withdraw Alex Johnston from the NSW team which played their Queensland under 20s counterparts last weekend generated a firestorm of criticism.

Among the league luminaries to express their disappointment were current NSW coach Laurie Daley, his immediate predecessor Ricky Stuart, Brad Fittler and Phil Gould.

Already missing several injured players, Potter didn’t want to risk Brooks, who he felt needed a break after playing in the Tigers’ first eight games.

“In my humble opinion, I think Luke has progressed a little bit further than the under 20s NSW team,” Potter said on Monday.

“Luke has played every single game in (the) NRL (this season), he’s played all the NRL trials.

“Having Robbie (Farah) and James Tedesco out, it just made sense to not have him play in that game where he didn’t need to play.”

He said Brooks might have been disappointed at being pulled out of the game, but pointed out he had played in the corresponding fixture last year.

The NRL is believed to be looking at their rules following the withdrawals.

The current rules allow for uninjured players who are pulled out of a team by their club to be stood down from NRL games that weekend.

However that sanction was rendered meaningless last weekend, as there were no NRL games scheduled.

Potter suggested the NRL should implement different selection criteria.

“I think those rulings need to be looked at,” Potter said.

“I think it would make sense to have – not the status of the player – but how many games played and what position they play and just see where they are at in their careers.”

Tigers centre Chris Lawrence said Brooks probably considered himself a fulltime first grade player as the halfback hadn’t trained with the under 20s team for around 18 months.