Wigan supremo Ian Lenagan, the smartest and most personally accomplished of the Super League owners, has predicted that Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and New York will all be in Super League within the next five years. He has also suggested that Perth might join Super League if the NRL don't create a franchise there.
Wigan supremo Ian Lenagan, the smartest and most personally accomplished of the Super League owners, has predicted that Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and New York will all be in Super League within the next five years. He has also suggested that Perth might join Super League if the NRL don't create a franchise there.
On one hand I'd be delighted with a thriving, well supported Super Leage involving those clubs. On the other hand I'd be very sad as it would represent a massive and abject failure on the part of the RFL and SL and an admission that they can't grow the game in this country.
Wigan supremo Ian Lenagan, the smartest and most personally accomplished of the Super League owners, has predicted that Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and New York will all be in Super League within the next five years. He has also suggested that Perth might join Super League if the NRL don't create a franchise there.
Lenegan's smarter than you give him credit for. He doesn't mention Catalans at all.
JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:
Wigan supremo Ian Lenagan, the smartest and most personally accomplished of the Super League owners, has predicted that Catalans, Toulouse, Toronto and New York will all be in Super League within the next five years. He has also suggested that Perth might join Super League if the NRL don't create a franchise there.
Super Rugby is a league made up of clubs from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Argentina.
The Pro12 competition has clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
International leagues at club level can work and is what we need to be aiming for to grow the game.
Are these Union clubs also not franchises so they have an element of protection? It would raise the whole argument again of franchise v promotion and relegation.
Super Rugby is a league made up of clubs from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Argentina.
The Pro12 competition has clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.
International leagues at club level can work and is what we need to be aiming for to grow the game.
True.
But as I've said before. International RU has a great programme. Which all those countries are apart of. Add to this a 7's tournament that travels the world. Plus clubs already taken games abroad (English clubs have been to the USA for the last 3 years). All of this raise awareness of the sport. Increase opportunities, raising intrest and opening opportunities in various markets.
RL has none of this, and from what Lenaghan says, aren't interested in International RL.
And whilst Wigan & Hull should be applaud for taking a game away from these shores. I personally find it disappointing that they taking it to a place where RL already has a stronghold. Instead of say Hong Kong, Tonga, PNG etc.
Still, can't wait for the arguments when the 5th bottom team is relegated. Because the 4 below them aren't English so exempt. Or when Franchising returns. Why crowds are down, or how to make more games mean something. Why Marketing/Advertising aren't put lots of money in to a sport that's a closed shop, so not that interesting. Wonder how much Sky will pay for a product that in my opinion isn't as good.
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