Pundit slams “self-interest” as head coach claims Peter V’landys involvement in Super League is “only a positive thing”

One head coach has argued that it would ‘only be positive’ if NRL supremo Peter V’landys got involved in the governance of Super League.

V’landys, who is chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, has been in England for the Ashes and recently spoke about the future of the English game.

Speaking to the BBC, he outlined his belief that Super League is heading for a “train crash” if the competition doesn’t find an increased TV deal to cater for it’s expanded 14-team competition.

He also outlined a number of other issues with the sport in England but explained that he and the NRL would only intervene if invited to do so, however, some high-profile figures in the sport have called for him to get involved.

Pundits Kevin Brown, Jodie Cunningham and Sam Burgess were all asked for their opinion on V’landys’ interview, with Brown the first to side with the Australian.

“I think I do (agree),” he admitted, adding: “I think for too long we’ve had teams with self-interest and we need to take that away and have the best practice for the game going forward.

“Why wouldn’t you listen to the NRL and Peter V’landys? The way their competition is structured and the way it all operates is first-class. I hope we can come up with a deal that makes this great game move on.”

Super League head coach views NRL and V’landys involvement as “positive”

Jodie Cunningham, the England women’s captain, argued that Australia’s involvement in the Ashes suggested they knew the importance of England being strong, however, she was quick to admonish club owners for short-term thinking, that is often dubbed as self-interest.

Cunningham explained: “They understand how important the English market is and how important international rugby league is. They need it to be successful but we can’t blame club owners thinking short-term.

“Their job is to make sure that they survive and that they’re in a good position. Someone else external needs to make sure they think long-term.”

For Sam Burgess, the current head coach of Warrington Wolves who are one of the clubs that have reportedly welcomed NRL involvement, he picked out only positives of the Australian taking an interest in Super League.

Burgess said: “Peter V’landys makes a lot of sense. He knows what works and I agree with him that the game needs to be packaged up better and sold a lot better.

“You can see here today, it’s a great product and we’ve got to do a better job of packaging that and distributing it and enticing fans to come along.

“Their involvement can only help and Peter V’landys, if he says he’s going to do something then he will do it. I think it’s only a positive thing that he’s involved in the game over here.”

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