There are a number of reasons. Firstly and most importantly I'd say is the fact that 1 season, 8 games, should not decide if Player X gets selected in the most prestigous team an Australian Rugby League player can be choosen for. Loyalty never hurt anyone. Would have rather have seen someone like Willie Tonga in there.
A flow on effect of this will be of course Yow Yeh will be selected in the Maroons team. Not happy about that too.