Super League's new play-off format 'adds spice', says RFL chief Richard Lewis
Rugby Football League supremo Richard Lewis has defended Super League's controversial new play-off system and revealed a fresh push to strengthen the game in London.
By Michael Fisher
Published: 9:23PM GMT 08 Jan 2009
The new season, which will be launched at Millbank on Feb 2, will feature a controversial new play-off format, with the leading team after the first round choosing their next opponents.
St Helens chairman Eamon McManus is among the critics, labelling the move a "gimmick", but Lewis insists it will add spice to the competition.
"Some people don't like it but I think it's a continuation of rugby league being innovative," he said.
"It was discussed in some detail and the majority of clubs supported it. It wasn't unanimous and there was some good debate about it.
"But I think it adds extra interest. The play-offs had to be changed because we've moved to 14 teams and, if you are going to change, why not add something? I think everybody agrees it adds spice to it."
Lewis, the RFL's executive chairman, has played down fears of a World Cup hangover and claimed that England's disappointing performances in Australia would add spice to the annual World Club Challenge on March 1.
The inquest into England's failure in the World Cup, which was in contrast to encouraging displays by Ireland and Scotland, is continuing under the guidance of Lewis, who says it could be two months before the League are ready to outline their plans for the future.
But the RFL boss confirmed that Ireland and Scotland will get the chance to build on their success when they take part in a second-tier European Nations Cup – along with Wales and probably Russia, Lebanon and Serbia – which will be run alongside the new-look Four Nations series in the autumn.
"Next year the European Nations Cup will include France and the winners will play in the 2011 Four Nations," Lewis said.
"That ensures the quality will go up each year so it's looking pretty exciting for the international game."
Fixtures and venues have yet to be finalised for the Four Nations, which will be televised by the BBC and Sky, but Lewis confirmed that France – the additions to the old Tri-Nations – will almost certainly host matches against Australia and New Zealand and receive England in a mid-season international.
London is the likely venue for the World Cup final re-match between the Kangaroos and Kiwis, according to Lewis, who said: "I think it works well in London. There is a strong Antipodean presence in the capital."
London will also be the venue for the launch of engage Super League XIV while Australian champions Manly will take on Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Feb 22 in a warm-up match for the World Club Challenge at Elland Road.
"We're putting a lot of effort into London," said Lewis.
"It's reflecting what we've said for a couple of years now, that rugby league activity in London and the south-east is a lot bigger than people realise and adding to the profile is logical."
The highlight of the early part of the season will be the World Club Challenge between Leeds and Manly, and Lewis denies the credibility of the annual clash of the champions was damaged by England's World Cup flop.
"I think people will look forward to it as a chance to show that at club level we are at the very least competitive with Australia if not capable of beating them on our day," he said.
"I think the World Club Challenge has been given a bit of extra spice this year. I suspect a few players from the Leeds Rhinos would like to chalk up a victory."
Meanwhile, the RFL remain confident of being able to secure the rights to stage the next World Cup in 2013, with Australia yet to submit a rival bid.
"We want to stage it but we need to demonstrate that we can deliver regional and national government investment and that's what we'll be working on over the next few months," said Lewis, who is vice-chairman of the International Federation.
"The Australian federal and state governments put money into the 2008 World Cup which was part of its success and I think the Australians quite rightly expect us to do a similar thing in the UK.
"They haven't bid yet but, if we can't deliver government investment, I think Australia will come back into the frame because they can almost certainly deliver that."
The International Federation are likely to make a decision on the venue later this year