Bennett's wishes granted

[josie andrews]

New England coach Wayne Bennett will be granted his wish for a mid-year international and a pre-season warm-weather training camp, Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood has said.

Bennett presented a list of initiatives designed to help England win the 2017 World Cup to Super League clubs at a meeting last month and, despite some of them expressing their concerns, Wood says they will agree to make their players available.

"I think it's fair to say the clubs have always been supportive of the national team," Wood told a media briefing at RFL headquarters in Salford. "There is some detail to work through but I think we are in a pretty good place.

"I think we'll be having a mid-year international next, which is one of the issues on the wish list. We're just working out who that will be against and where that will take place but that's probably there.

"And there is support for a pre-season warm-weather camp.

"How we keep England together in World Cup year are all being worked through positively and collaboratively.

"The thing that will really light the blue-touch paper for the sport is winning internationally. That's where you will get a fundamental shift in terms of awareness. International sport cuts through like nothing else."

Plans for a mid-season trip Down Under will rekindle memories of Great Britain's disastrous one-off match in Sydney in July 2002 which resulted in a 64-10 mauling but, with more than half the likely England team set to come from NRL clubs, that is not seen as a problem and a neutral venue is unlikely.

"I wouldn't rule out Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong but fundamentally, it will be wherever it needs to be," Wood said. "The overwhelming consideration is the quality of the opposition.

"Wherever it is, half the team will be flying around the world, one way or the other. The most likely outcome is that a match will be played around May 7th."

Wood ruled out shortening the domestic season in order to give Bennett more time for his preparations for the World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand at the end of 2017.

"It's a big disturbance in lots of ways to change a well-understood domestic campaign," he said.

Wood, who is also chairman of the Rugby League International Federation, said the organisation was looking at amending the rules on international qualification, including lengthening the period of residential qualification, and discussions were ongoing about the 2017 World Club Series.

In domestic issues, Wood revealed there has been more than 20 applicants for the vacant role of Super League general manager and the governing body is in discussions with First Utility, whose initial three-year sponsorship of Super League runs out at the end of the current season.

Wood gave his thumbs up to the Super 8s format, which began in 2015 and will not be reviewed for another 12 months.

"I know the litmus test for many is whether a team gets promoted, and until they do, some will say it isn't quite right but the universal opinion last year was that 2015 had been the best season in recent history, in terms of the closeness of finishes," he said. "I'm perfectly happy with it."

Wood revealed Toronto will be able to spend up to the Super League salary cap of #1.82million when they enter Kingstone Press League 1 in February after the wage ceiling was spread across all three divisions.

"There'll be one salary cap limit from next year, so everyone is playing to the same rules, as long as it isn't more than 50 per cent of their income," he said.

Wood said the clubs will be discussing proposals to increase the cap or introduce further amendments ahead of next season and pointed out that already clubs can go over the #1.825m maximum.

"There are exemptions already," he said. "There has been growth in the spend on players but it doesn't come across in the headline figure. Leeds, I suspect, spent #2.5m on players last year because prize money falls outside the cap."

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... 10507597/-

[southernpie]

"There are exemptions already," he said. "There has been growth in the spend on players but it doesn't come across in the headline figure. Leeds, I suspect, spent #2.5m on players last year because prize money falls outside the cap."

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... 10507597/-

eh you what?

[josie andrews]

"There are exemptions already," he said. "There has been growth in the spend on players but it doesn't come across in the headline figure. Leeds, I suspect, spent #2.5m on players last year because prize money falls outside the cap."

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... 10507597/-

eh you what?

I thought exactly the same!

[cpwigan]

Despie offloading player like Sir Kev too

For all those ant the Doc. He may not be wonderful but the reality IMO and has always has been that the Cap is a farce and routinely broken by several clubs.

[jobo]

Is this because clubs are able to offer bonuses to players for knock out competitions?

Seem to remember there was a problem when we beat either Hull or Leeds in that, the prize money paid out was less than expected and less than the bonuses promised to the team.

Could be wrong though.

[josie andrews]

Is this because clubs are able to offer bonuses to players for knock out competitions?

Seem to remember there was a problem when we beat either Hull or Leeds in that, the prize money paid out was less than expected and less than the bonuses promised to the team.

Could be wrong though.

Think Mr Lenegan said that you get a lot less money for winning the GF than you do the CC!

[cpwigan]

You do. Mainly for revenue from fans pre Wembley.

[Caboosegg]

is that why Hardaker wanted to leave as his wage wouldnt be supplemented with "prize money"?

[josie andrews]

Blake Austin available for England


http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_228 ... gland.html

At this rate there will be NO English born players in the squad, only Aussies with heritage going back to the convicts!!!

What a farce?

[cpwigan]

It is clear that what Wayne wants, Wayne gets! His demands were big he got them both, now 'English/Brish' players from the NRL. IMO you have to be careful bringing in such players, certainly too many!