NRLs new CEO a real fan....of Rugby LOLZ

[Xman]

The ARL Despite a strong first public appearance, Smith's lack of sports administration and his passion for rugby union, having played it while growing up in Wales, have immediately come into question.

"I love rugby league," he told a packed media conference. "I am a fan of rugby league, I am a fan of rugby union and multiple sports. I watch all sports and really enjoyed the grand final. For it to be reported I am not a fan is misleading."

Later, in a separate interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 48-year-old was asked if he knew the players in an iconic shot from the first All-Stars match on the wall at League Central, in which Wendell Sailor is using a corner post as a didgeridoo.

They included current Test stars Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday, as well as Blake Ferguson and Carl Webb.

"No, I can't name any of those players," Smith admitted.

Asked if he could name the Australian captain, Smith replied: "No. As I say, I am a fan. I am like most fans. I watch a game of footy on the TV. I'll watch the Roosters or I'll watch State of Origin or I'll watch the recent international match. I have been on a plane for half of this year.

"Frankly, I would struggle to name a captain of any team. I am not an encyclopaedia on rugby league. I won't profess to be.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/new-nr ... 6523199130

[Rabbit]

What's your point. The commission said that who they pick was not necessarily going to be from a Rugby League background.

[Xman]

What's your point. The commission said that who they pick was not necessarily going to be from a Rugby League background.

at least he could know the game......apparantly he called it "rugby". Dont RL fans hate that?

[eelofwest]

What's your point. The commission said that who they pick was not necessarily going to be from a Rugby League background.

at least he could know the game......apparantly he called it "rugby". Dont RL fans hate that?

Not Really we hate the game of AFL more then rugby, i would rather watch a rugby match then AFL.

This guy has run several big companies which are 10 times bigger then the AFL, somehow i think this bloke will lead our business/RL in the right direction.

[Xman]

What's your point. The commission said that who they pick was not necessarily going to be from a Rugby League background.

at least he could know the game......apparantly he called it "rugby". Dont RL fans hate that?

Not Really we hate the game of AFL more then rugby, i would rather watch a rugby match then AFL.

This guy has run several big companies which are 10 times bigger then the AFL, somehow i think this bloke will lead our business/RL in the right direction.

Which business? Rugby?

Oh and can you show evidence he was CEO of a 10 billion dollar company?

[eelofwest]

at least he could know the game......apparantly he called it "rugby". Dont RL fans hate that?

Not Really we hate the game of AFL more then rugby, i would rather watch a rugby match then AFL.

This guy has run several big companies which are 10 times bigger then the AFL, somehow i think this bloke will lead our business/RL in the right direction.

Which business? Rugby?

Oh and can you show evidence he was CEO of a 10 billion dollar company?

Here if you are not sure about this guys quality watch this interview and you will see that we have someone that is more then just a administrator.

http://www.nrl.com/best-job-in-australi ... fault.aspx

Mr Smith is a Chief Executive and not a traditional financer or banker, he is a Welshman who nine years ago, moved with his young family to Australia and ultimately has had responsibility for managing Lloyds International with International assets of AUD $50 billion.

He has spent the last 25 years managing big businesses both nationally and internationally and said he was really looking forward to his new role working in Rugby League.

This guy is a smooth operator, i feel very confident going forward. Much more comfortable then if i were a AFL fan.

AFL commission have not got a patch on this guy.

[Rabbit]

Great times ahead for the NRL. I like how this guy handles himself. We will soon find out if he is the real deal

[Xman]

Great times ahead for the NRL. I like how this guy handles himself. We will soon find out if he is the real deal

he knows business, not sport, or RL. Is that what RL fans really want?

[Rabbit]

Sport is a business.

[cos789]

Great times ahead for the NRL. I like how this guy handles himself. We will soon find out if he is the real deal

he knows business, not sport, or RL. Is that what RL fans really want?

As shown by the nrl tv contract - money, but not what the fans want.

.

[ParraEelsNRL]

Yeah he has no idea at all while his wife was born and brought up in the North of England just where RL happens to have its original Heartland.

Nice fail, as if any Welshman worth his salt has no idea what RL is seeing as the code poached the crap out of the nations union teams for 100 years

[Striker]

I think it's too soon to judge. He's got the summer to get the feel of the sport and incorporate it into his clearly savvy business experience. By Season 2013 he'll be an asset.

[Raiderdave]

magnificent appointment by the ARLC =D> =D> =D> =D>

a man with proven business accumen , from completely outside the game ( so no history ties or baggage to any of its clubs or history) is a good thing.
He won't be under pressure from the NSWRL .. or the QRL.. as he isn't from either of those states .. he has no history with New Ltd like our previous CEO did
or from the old guard ARL ..... he is a clean slate.
He is obviously highly intelligent & has a track record of success in the business world .... the games mountain of new money is going to be sent to work ..
& work hard.


he may not know much about our game today
but by his 5th month , will know a heck of a lot more then he does now
he may not know many of our games players today .... but will know them all in the coming months

this guy .. will not fail

RL.... happy days
happy days

[ParraEelsNRL]

He probably knows more about RL coming from Wales than all these trolls here put together.

[piesman2011]

Mildly amusing if he called it Rugby. Are you sure this guy is from Wales he sounds like a Victorian. Not that it matters as long as he is good at his job.