Rabbitohs boss mocks Super 14

[The Colonel]

Rabbitohs boss mocks Super 14
By James Hooper
February 24, 2005

THE latest shot in the cross-code rugby league-union rivalry was fired last night when South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson ridiculed the Perth Super 14 experiment.

In a carefully targeted swipe, Richardson has urged the people of Western Australia to watch a "real" game of football when Souths meet premiers the Bulldogs in Perth tomorrow night.

The attack from Richardson comes as interest in the 15-a-side code continues to mount in the west.

Causing most conjecture is who will be appointed to coach the Super 14 side, with sacked All Blacks coach John Mitchell being considered along with a host of Australian candidates.

"We would like to encourage the people of Perth to come out and watch a real game of football before the Super 14 arrives," Richardson said.

"We are looking forward to showing the people of Perth what a quality game of football rugby league is.

"We're playing the defending premiers who present an outstanding test for us, so to the people of Perth, please come and watch our terrific product."

Rabbitohs chief Richardson, one of the NRL's leading administrators, has previously been outspoken about the Australian Rugby Union poaching elite talent from the NRL ranks.

The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs arrived in Perth on Tuesday and have been conducting school clinics to increase awareness about rugby league.

South Sydney winger Brad Watts has been ruled out of the match due to a virus, with rookie Rabbitohs local junior Troy Boston named as his replacement.

For the Bulldogs, operations manager Grant Mayer confirmed NSW Origin prop Mark O'Meley would return against the Rabbitohs.

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes is expected to announce his line-up today with club officials anticipating an imposing outfit.

After a spirited performance saw Souths upset St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield, Richardson has forecast a competitive display from the Rabbitohs.

The Rabbitohs-Bulldogs trial is scheduled to kick off at Members Equity Stadium in Perth at 7.30pm local time, which is 10.30pm NSW time.

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,12355247-23214,00.html

 

[League Freak™]

Richardson needs to shut up.

 

[wittyfan]

I hope Souths do well.

 

[In-goal]

I'm all for the banter

 

[The Colonel]

Great work by Richardson IMO, provided Souths play well it will be a good promotional tool.

 

[innsaneink]

Richardson needs to shut up.

Why?

For possibly creating some interest in our game?

For having a dig at rugger?

I seem to recall quite a few swipes and barbs directed leagues way while the S14/Perth bid hype was at its highest.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

League doesn't normally get too involved in the cross-code bagging, preferring to let the product speak for itself. It's the other codes that seem to think that denigrating the opposition helps their cause.

The odd barb back at the Pimms drinking, elbow patch wearing mob of dick trickers doesn't hurt.

It was hardly an attack, more an honest appraisal.

Well said Shane.

 

[AdamH]

Bout time someone spoke up. Good on ya Richo!

 

[Tighthead]

Yep - one trial game a year will help keep league strong in the West.

Rather than taking potshots at rugby union, perhaps Richardson should be taking potshots at league administrators who let the Reds die and can't make their minds up on further expansion.

 

[ucantseeme]

he didn't say anything too controversial, only adding "real football" and some reporter has managed to squeeze a story out of it somehow.

i agree that league officials should not bother to talk about rival codes because more than likely ARU and AFL will bite on the smallest hint of a slight just so they get a bit more coverage in sydney papers.

you can bet if john o'neill was still head of ARU he would already have released a press statement "we at the ARU are shocked and dissapointed at the scathing comments made by Shane Richardson and believe he made those comments due to jealousy of the superior rugby code"

 

[Tighthead]

Since O'Neill was shown the door, I'm not really aware of any 'attacks' on rugby league by rugby union officials? I'm happy to stand corrected.

Eddie Jones has often spoken admiringly of rugby league and the SOO in particular.

 

[Raider_69]

thats the ticket shane
watch a real mans game perth - LEAGUE! :mrgreen:

 

[dimitri]

its great someones prepared to speak the truth

 

[perth sharkie]

Here in Perth the WAFC and AFL have been lashing out against the new Super 14 franchise. There was also a minor dispute and subsequent verbal attack by the Perth Glory Football Club against the Super 14 team.

So it's refreshing to see a RL official joining in and getting the sport mentioned in the WA press, rather than being completely marginalised and getting absolutely no publicity as usual.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Richardson needs to shut up.

You're an idiot. He said they should watch a 'real' game.

Or are you a RU fan?

 

[chemicalbrother]

Richardson needs to shut up.

You need to go back to Rl fans with those soap dodgers.

 

[RainMan]

If Richardson wanted WA to watch a 'real' game of football, then Souths shouldn't be there. :lol:

Dogs by 30.

 

[rugged]

Exactly, might not be anywhere near an exciting spectacle if Rabbitohs can't score.

 

[League Freak™]

All Richardson does is do his best to promote himself.

 

[rugbynotsoccer]

He also does his best in embarassing Rugby Lite.
Who are souths to say to play "real rugby" they are shit @ rugby lite

And the "real game" isn't rugby league the light version offspring from union?
Face it your days in WA are gone stick to the north east coast.

Any money the bulldogs gonna play shit so the Souths look good just like a amatuer USA team who can't even beat non nrl clubs ahah and that was the kangaroos!! You won't fool many