Battle stations

I'm just waiting for the Rugby League war to start. The battle lines are being drawn and all we need to know are the rules of engagement.

Why am I all steamed up?

Well, unless Rugby League changes the system where complaints can be made by opposing clubs about alleged acts of foul play, there's going to be trouble.

I thought we had solved it once when clubs were told at a meeting of coaches that they could no longer cite a player for foul play which went unpunished by a referee.

Yet, clubs were still allowed to ask director of referees Gregh McCallum and the executive committee to view video evidence.

That doesn't make sense to me.

Either clubs can cite a player. Or they can't!

There must be a better system than this and unless one is found soon I forsee problems.

There's just too much temptation for clubs to take out the frustrations of defeat by making an issue out of any alleged incident.

People must remember Rugby League is a contact sport. That brings confrontation between men.

There are bound to be incidents. It's almost part of the game.

And if you watch a match on video, I'll bet you can pick out loads of moments when players take liberties.

I'm not saying that the players guilty of diabolical acts shouldn't be punished. Nobody wants them to get away with that kind of thing. But we must find a better way of exposing.

I applaud the League's vigorous approach to protecting players. But when clubs become involved in the game's disciplinary process it's bound to end in even more trouble!

While the game's reputation for being as safe as is possible must be safeguarded, we can't remove the confrontation element completely.

The fans come to see a contest between strong, fit athletes.

Handbags at dawn won't fill our grounds!

Either the referees must have more power or somebody at League will have to watch every game on video as a neutral judge.

Interview by

JOHN HUXLEY

Copyright 1996 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.