sportingFACTIONS :: Code XIII

If preseason games are so dangerous, why does anyone bother having them? If you’re going to blow out a knee or an ankle (or even an eye-socket!?) it might as well be in a meaningful game.

Paul Wellens and Willie Talau (St. Helens), Keith Mason (Giants), Lee Briers (Wolves) and Jamie Peacock (Leeds); all for various reasons are likely to miss serious Super League action because of incidents in so-called friendly encounters.

Ok, I get that Messrs Talau and Mason will be MIA because of their own ill discipline but that’s still four of the twelve Super League clubs missing key people.

Do we really need these kind of ‘hit-outs’ at all? And is this the best way to bridge the gap between training and game-on action?

Does anyone remember the British Coal Nines? And before that the Wigan Sevens?

Waning fan interest apart the Wigan Sevens provided a gentle transition from training sessions to competitive action. Maybe their time has come again.

With clubs increasingly opting for warm weather training why not schedule a preseason sevens/nines tournament in – say – Perpignan.

It would help the Dragons kick start the season over there and provide a great winter weekend break for UK fans too.

The Catalans Nines would be a great hit with fans and establish a milestone starting point for each Super League season, launching it with something other than the media-whimper with which this season seems to set to open.

Schoey says it’s okay for Great Britain to remain second-rate on the international rugby league scene; at least that’s what his latest pronouncement boils down to.

Former GB skipper, Garry Schofield, is adamant that we need a British coach in charge of the GB team.

This after last year calling for the sacking of former GB coach, Brian Noble, who is as British as they come and probably our most experienced, talented home-grown coach.

Speaking out against support for the appointment of Australian, Shaun McRae, Schoey says:

If they appoint an Aussie it would be a cruel insult to all the British coaches in the game, and I’m astonished that McRae is even in the running.

What I need to know is which British coaches it is that Schoey has in mind?

Karl Harrison(Salford), Jon Sharp (Giants) and Paul Cullen (Wolves) are all tied to club contracts and would therefore not fulfil the RFL’s stated criteria for a full time coach, with Cullen already appearing to rule himself out of that option.

In any case although all have promise, none have yet gained sufficient big game’ experience to suggest that they could mount a serious challenge to the Australian and New Zealand test teams.

Beyond that there is John Kear (Wakefield), Noble (Wigan) – both of whom have already had their shot at the role, plus Brian McDermott (Harlequins) and Steve McNamara (Bulls) who are yet to cut prove themselves fully at Super League level.

So, I’m not sure where the mythical Brit-Coach will come from?

Bobbie Goulding? Neil Kelly? Phil Larder? Schoey himself? Sir Clive Woodward is free … so he might be tempted, he probably thinks he could do it too!

So whilst McRae may not be the perfect option – and I’d be happy to have other suggestions – I believe he’s a very credible and worthy candidate: as would be Ian Millward were he available.

So let’s not go off on a knee-jerk rant demanding a Brit when the choices are so limited.

Take of the blinkers and look for the best person available (which I think is what the RFL said they intend doing) – we’ll need the best if we are ever to be competitive on the International stage for more than one game in four.

Brian Noble’s reign as GB coach is over and the RFL are to launch an exhaustive search for a successor after they confirmed today that the – part-time – coaching contracts of Noble plus assistants Jon Sharp and Dave Lyon will not be renewed.

Despite some notable peaks (the Baskerville Shield victory over New Zealand in 2002and GB’s first victory over Australia in Sydney for 18 years being the most obvious) Noble’s three-year stint eventually ended in huge disappointment and essentially leaves us no closer to the Antipodeans than when he took charge.

RFL Chairman, Richard Lewis announced today that:

“Following our thorough review, the RFL believes the Great Britain position requires a coach’s full-time focus. The person in question must work from the heart of the RFL to give direct input into our leading players and their club coaches.

“We believe that only a full-time coach will have the proper opportunity to positively influence plans for the Rugby League World Cup in 2008, the Tri-Nations in 2009 and further into the future.”

Well as far as the search for a replacement goes, they could do far worse then appoint former Saints, Gateshead and Hull FC coach, Shaun McRae, to the role.

McRae has the media presence, local knowledge and coaching acumen to exploit the young talent coming into the GB game. Having him mentor one or two British assistant coaches would provide options for succession too.

Uh oh. Looks like the RFL has flipped. Now they’re handing out free league points to teams that lose.

Seriously. Keep the losing margin to a dozen or less and you get a free league point.

Why? Well the RFL believes “it will encourage an exciting, attacking brand of rugby league for spectators to enjoy throughout the forthcoming season”; at least that’s what Nigel Wood, their chief operating officer told PA reporter, Ian Laybourn (link).

Can you tell me how that would work, Nigel? All that encouraging attacking rugby thing – how?

And who at the RFL equates three close defeats as being the same as one victory? Probably not the team that pulled out the tripe and actually did win a game.

Just imagine the howls of protest when (names changed to protect the innocent) NL1 side, Webly Whippets, lose every game by 12 or less (6 pts) but avoid relegation by finishing above 2-win Corley Corgis (6pts) on points difference and the 1-win 1-draw (4 pts) Burly Barras on league points?

And heaven forbid it impact the other end of the table.

Can’t you just hear the squawks now if the Norsemen miss out on a shot at Super League to a team that’s lost more games than they have. Or because deadly rivals – the Gladiatorions – peevishly land a last second DG to extend their lead to 13-0 thereby stealing the precious ‘free’ point the Norsemen needed.

It seems a half baked idea to me.

But ok, one of the positive aspects of ‘league’ has been its willingness to embrace change and to innovate.

However, if you wanted to test it – to evaluate the merit and competitive impact – then why not trial it in the Northern Rail Cup rather than jump in feet first and commit the flagship National League competition?

Mad as badgers!

But on the plus side the RFL are still actively pursuing a TV slot on Eurosport for the National League, which would be magnificent; let’s hope they pull it off and attract a top sponsor for the game.