Robert Prosser
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Proposals by the Rugby Football League to expand the World Club Challenge are set to be discussed by the International Federation.
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood re-iterated the call for more clubs to become involved in the annual challenge following Leeds' 26-12 victory over Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley on Friday and he is hoping the establishment of a new governing body for the game in Australia will result in a more enlightened view.
"There's room for more of our leading clubs to take the field against their leading clubs," Wood said. "We've got four, five, six clubs that are the match of the sides in the NRL."
The Australians have traditionally dragged their heels when it comes to the international game and forced the Four Nations Series into cold storage this year but Wood believes the Rhinos' victory, which halted a run of three straights wins by NRL clubs, has strengthened his argument.
He added: "I don't think it would be inaccurate to say that the British game has always placed a higher appreciation of international club rugby league than our partners but it is undoubtedly true that constructing a financially viable and workable structure to it is a challenge.
"It is already a pretty crowded fixture list and certainly players in both hemispheres are concerned about potential over playing and we absolutely have to ensure we don't undermine international competition but ostensibly our view is that we need to explore all the options fully.
"The fundamental issue for us is that we believe that international club football has got growth in it.
"You just have to sit down with the Australians and work out what the right formula is. We're pretty sure that they will look at this as an opportunity to expand what is a great part of the rugby league calendar.
"The NRL has recently made some changes to its governance structure and no doubt once they've had a chance to settle in, international club rugby league might be (an) area they may now want to look at."
Wood is keen to bring up the topic at the next meeting of the International Federation and David Gallop, chief executive of the new ARL Commission, said he would listen to any proposal while expressing caution about the logistics of expanding the concept.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19022012/63/plan-expand-world-club-challenge.html
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood re-iterated the call for more clubs to become involved in the annual challenge following Leeds' 26-12 victory over Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley on Friday and he is hoping the establishment of a new governing body for the game in Australia will result in a more enlightened view.
"There's room for more of our leading clubs to take the field against their leading clubs," Wood said. "We've got four, five, six clubs that are the match of the sides in the NRL."
The Australians have traditionally dragged their heels when it comes to the international game and forced the Four Nations Series into cold storage this year but Wood believes the Rhinos' victory, which halted a run of three straights wins by NRL clubs, has strengthened his argument.
He added: "I don't think it would be inaccurate to say that the British game has always placed a higher appreciation of international club rugby league than our partners but it is undoubtedly true that constructing a financially viable and workable structure to it is a challenge.
"It is already a pretty crowded fixture list and certainly players in both hemispheres are concerned about potential over playing and we absolutely have to ensure we don't undermine international competition but ostensibly our view is that we need to explore all the options fully.
"The fundamental issue for us is that we believe that international club football has got growth in it.
"You just have to sit down with the Australians and work out what the right formula is. We're pretty sure that they will look at this as an opportunity to expand what is a great part of the rugby league calendar.
"The NRL has recently made some changes to its governance structure and no doubt once they've had a chance to settle in, international club rugby league might be (an) area they may now want to look at."
Wood is keen to bring up the topic at the next meeting of the International Federation and David Gallop, chief executive of the new ARL Commission, said he would listen to any proposal while expressing caution about the logistics of expanding the concept.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19022012/63/plan-expand-world-club-challenge.html
