By STEVE MASC0RD
SIX games from this weekend’s opening round of the Australian Rugby League premiership are likely to be abandoned after angry Super League players last night vowed to start their own competition rather than return to the establishment.
Former Test captain Laurie Daley accused ARL officials of treating players “like dogs” by reneging on an agreement not to make any public statement until the conclusion of negotiations between the warring parties.
The ARL countered by saying it had only agreed not to discuss the contents of confidential talks and contended that the players have been “overly sensitive”.
The result is that rugby league was back where it was at the beginning of the week in utter chaos. Despite ARL claims that such a move would leave News Ltd in “blatant contempt”, the players now say they will start their own league even if it meant another prolonged court battle.
Auckland chief executive Ian Robson, Canberra’s Kevin Neil and Cronulla’s Shane Richardson each said they did not know if News Ltd would continue to fund their clubs and that they feared for their teams’ future.
Last night’s decision by the players to “leave the clubs behind” has left them in both short- and long-term jeopardy. Of the eight breakaway clubs, only Auckland appear to have a player base sufficient to field a scratch team.
The Warriors are drawn against Brisbane at ANZ Stadium on Sunday and Queensland Rugby League officials have refused permission for players from the local competition to represent the Broncos.
Representatives from the eight Super League clubs will attend what is expected to be a tense meeting with officials from the 12 ARL-aligned franchises this morning. The ARL called the meeting to discuss plans for the coming weekend, with rebel clubs receiving legal advice that the Federal Court orders require them to attend.
But late last night there was every indication that this weekend’s scheduled Canterbury v North Queensland, Brisbane v Auckland, Canberra v South Queensland, Newcastle v Cronulla, St George v Perth and Parramatta v Penrith games would not go ahead because of forfeits.
Meanwhile, the 311 Super League players said they would be able to announce details of their own competition “within the next few days”.
“We expect to be back in court,” said their spokesman, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett.
Yesterday’s events produced easily the most vitriolic attack by players on the establishment yet. “We went over there yesterday and the last thing we did was shake hands with ARL chief executive John Quayle and Geoff Carr on an agreement that neither side would say anything until we met again,” said Canterbury captain Simon Gillies.
“If a handshake’s not good enough for John Quayle, I don’t know what sort of bloke he is. He’s gone back on his word, he’s treated especially Johnsy (Brisbane representative Chris Johns) and I like mugs.
“The players have taken this as a kick in the face, as it’s meant to be taken.” Johns described the ARL’s counter-offer, faxed to them yesterday afternoon, as “the world’s longest ‘no’ from a lawyer”.
This story appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on March 20, 1996
