New Breakaway?

[buttmonkey2]

After Brian Carney's comments om SKY

SKY SPORTS host Brian Carney has hinted at the biggest consequential rugby league incident to happen in the sport since the Northern Union broke away from the Rugby Football Union back in 1895.

In fact, Carney believes that an event so seismic is about to happen that it will make the switch to the summer game and the advent of Super League in 1996 look like “a teddy bear’s picnic” as the sport gears up for change.

The Irishman has quickly become one of Sky Sports’ most revered treasures for his anchor skills and willingness to ask the difficult questions.

And Saturday evening was no different as the Sky team previewed Leeds Rhinos’ clash against Wigan Warriors at Headingley.

At the crux of the preview was the change in direction of rugby league, with Nigel Wood being brought back as chairman of the RFL – albeit in the interim – in place of Simon Johnson whilst a number of other directors have also stood down from their positions at the governing body.

In recent weeks, Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont and St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus have both been outspoken about their support of Wood, who left the sport a number of years ago with a six-figure severance fee.

With opinions bitterly divided on Wood’s appointment and the general direction in which rugby league needs to be run, Carney used his platform to express his own view on what lies ahead for the sport – strap yourselves in!

“30 years ago next month, April 1995, was described as one of the most tumultuous months in Rugby League’s history. Mergers were mooted, (the league) went from winter to summer and we heralded the arrival of the Super League era,” Carney said.

“That will be a teddy bear’s picnic compared to what is coming in the game of Rugby League in the next weeks and months. If jaws were on the floor in the last two or three weeks, what is coming, down the line is going to knock that into a cocked hat.”

https://www.totalrl.com/sky-sports-host ... n-history/

Lots and lots of talk all over twitter from journalists that there will be NO NRL takeover BUT a rival competition with the likes of London involved (hence why Hetherington's gone there).

A massive, cashed up competition, tv deal sorted, salary cap constraints removed etc and IMG binned off alongside a number of current super league teams

NRL will not work with Nigel Wood either!

[widdenoldboy]

Lots of chatter, trying to take it all in......think Brian Carney's opening piece on Thursday only scratches the surface

[buttmonkey2]

They aren't taking every club. Aren't taking on dead weight they don't need. Taking some clubs

Is the quote I've seen. NRL will not bail out the RFL.

If Salford's new owners are not forthcoming with money, the RFL is being advised that all the players wages would be better being paid by the RFL or face the consequences for a failure to fulfil fixtures and reduce this season's competition to a farce and the subsequent breach of the SKY TV deal (which I am led to understand would cost the game millions - money it does not have)

[Mike]

They aren't taking every club. Aren't taking on dead weight they don't need. Taking some clubs

Is the quote I've seen. NRL will not bail out the RFL.

If Salford's new owners are not forthcoming with money, the RFL is being advised that all the players wages would be better being paid by the RFL or face the consequences for a failure to fulfil fixtures and reduce this season's competition to a farce and the subsequent breach of the SKY TV deal (which I am led to understand would cost the game millions - money it does not have)

The RFU lost 3 clubs mid season over the last few years.

[Caboosegg]

Is it April Fools already with Carney described as

The Irishman has quickly become one of Sky Sports’ most revered treasures for his anchor skills and willingness to ask the difficult questions.