Neville Smith pushing for a Champions League involving eight teams from the NRL and Super League
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6240276056
THE British television guru driving Super League has proposed a rugby league Champions League tournament between the top four NRL clubs against the best four from England.
Neville Smith, Sky Sports' rugby league executive producer for 25 years, outlined the case for an end-of-season club extravaganza with teams such as Manly, Brisbane, Melbourne, Wigan, Leeds and St Helens going head to head.
Smith, who was behind the video referee concept, also called for a Papua New Guinea team to be introduced into the NRL.
A northern beaches-born executive, who has returned home for a holiday, Smith is the brains behind Sky Sports' coverage of all Super League games. Despite competing with Premier League soccer and rugby union, Super League still attracts a average audience of 250,000 viewers each game.
Sides would represent Sydney, (Manly), New Zealand, Melbourne, Brisbane, Leeds (Yorkshire) St Helens, Warrington and Wigan (all Lancashire).
"An expanded World Club Challenge would be exciting," Smith said. "It could run immediately after the season. It gives the teams an extra edge - like football teams fighting for a place in Europe.
"Probably to start with it should be played in England - there would be more appetite for it over there.
"It could be played over a three-week period.
"Initially the interest would be built in the UK and maybe in year three, or year two, it could happen here in Australia.
"Teams would be against sides that have played together all year - not just thrown together at the end of the year. They would have to look for a window to do it without being at the expense of the international game."
Super League attempted a rushed version of this concept in 1997 but the gap between the competitions was excessive and the experiment failed. But the top four English clubs are now robust and professional - ensuring a bumper contest.
Asked how many Super League teams could compete in the NRL on a week-to-week basis, Smith said: "Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Leeds and we're expecting Catalans Dragons to come good this coming season and potentially make the grand final."
An NRL spokesman said of the Champions League tournament: "I'm sure the concept would prove popular with fans, but to add another event to the already-demanding schedule is not a realistic option at this stage."
Smith also proposed PNG should be the next franchise granted entry into the NRL. Although some may scoff at his idea, rugby league would only strengthen by marching into a new country.
"Yes (to expansion) if they can tap into an area with an already deep interest and a classic example of that is PNG," he said.
"PNG would bring passion, entertainment, flair and TV revenue. The game is huge in PNG. It is a national sport.
"It would also strengthen their national side. Look what has happened to the New Zealand national side since the Warriors came in. They are reigning world champions. It would do the same for PNG."
WOW
A WORLD club Championship .....
teams from England .... Australia .... France ... & NZ
may only be four countries .. but thats 3 more the vicky kicky
fulltime professional franchises from 4 countries ... NZ's Warriors ... Frances Les Catalans ... amongst English Giants Leeds .. St Helens & Warrington
& Australian Giants ... Brisbane .. Melbourne . & Manly
Playing in venues from London to Melbourne ... from Perpingon to Auckland
how would singletball go at something like this ?
Crickets Chirping
