Neil Hudgell calls for reserve league and questions Toronto logistics

Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell has had his say on two pressing topics in British rugby league – reserves and expansionism.

There have been calls for a Super League reserves competition to return for some time with many of the belief it aids the development and recovery of players.

Hudgell says it’s not only the players who need the reserve league, citing a conversation from last year with RFL Head of Referees Steve Ganson.

“As it stands there is clearly a vacuum between 19s rugby, dual-reg and first team,” he said. “The reserve competition would be heartily greeted by everybody!

“I think as a sport we need to have one, I think the direction of travel is for that to be back in, that’s certainly my hope, and I think that’s shared by other people.

“There’s a lot of effects from that, not just from player development, but also officials development, because we have an administration at the moment where there’s a lot of concern about the level of officiating.

“I had a really good discussion with Steve Ganson when we were in Denver for the test, and he made a really valid point around where do referees cut their teeth?

“They go straight from 19s to senior rugby, it’s a really important relationship and it would benefit them as well.

“They’d still be under pressure, but they wouldn’t be going from one extreme to the other, so there’s another real benefit, because integrity seems to be thrown about because of one decision, or another.

“We do need to work holistically and collaboratively with that side of the game as well and help them improve. I think that’s one area where we can do it, with the reserves.”

The Robins’ boss was also not shy in sharing his thoughts on expansion and whether he believes the Toronto Wolfpack are good for the game.

While recognising their benefits, Hudgell does not believe their current schedule in the Championship will work if they are promoted to the top flight.

“It could be fabulous, it could open up the TV markets in North America, what’s the problem with Toronto is the logistics of getting there and fixture scheduling.

“So there’s some due diligence that still needs to be done with Toronto, but that should have been done before they were allowed into competition.

“At the minute I think the jury is wondering about the longevity of it, and how it fits with the Super League competition.

“On the logistic side of it, as on the strategic side of it, there’s no way they can repeat this year’s championship, without compromising the integrity of the competition.

“And if weather-wise, climate-wise, they can’t play at home for three months, then that really is a serious problem that has to be addressed.”

Toronto declined to enter this year’s Challenge Cup after the RFL demanded a £750,000 bond insurance against reduced ticket sales if they reached the final, due mainly to the logistical issues for supporters.

The Wolfpack are currently top of the Championship having only lost one game this season and are huge favourites to be promoted to Super League next year.

“There’s a whole range of things that the game needs to tackle on that,” Hudgell added.

“I don’t want to be downbeat on the Toronto experience, but I do think it hasn’t been given the necessary due diligence before they were given entry to the competition.”