BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Rugby League Commercial managing Rhodri Jones has defended Super League after comments made by Catalans halfback Luke Keary, and has branded them “over-dramatic” and “disappointing”.
Keary did not hold back in his take on Super League in an interview with Channel 9’s Wide World of Sports website.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live Radio yesterday, Jones said the Australian’s views were: “Dramatic. Luke’s certainly entitled to his own opinion, I’m not necessarily in agreement with what he’s got to say.
“Our figures are showing we’re having a very positive season. Our attendances are up, our TV audiences, across both Sky Sports and the BBC are up.
“Probably there’s a little bit of Luke being in France, he might be out of the mainstream somewhat in terms of seeing the positivity here for the game here in the UK.”
Asked if they were damaging comments by the former Roosters playmaker, Jones replied: “They’re honest from a person who’s been involved in the competition for the last six, seven, eight, nine weeks I’d say.
“I’d recognise Luke has played at the very top of the game in Australia. And the game in Australia is very much akin to the Premier League here and that Sydney bubble is non-stop media.
“It’s front page, back page, and that’s what he’s used to. But I’d maintain we’re heading in the right direction.
“I was surprised by what Luke had to say. I did speak to his club this morning and they too were surprised.
“I think they would be disappointed, perhaps with how dramatic his comments were.
“It’s disappointing… I think there’s a lot of things we can do to convince Luke he’s been a bit over-dramatic in his comments.”
