WATTS: GAME’S GETTING UGLY
LIAM WATTS has urged the game’s bosses to act quickly to stop rugby league spiralling out of control.
The Castleford forward is hunting his third Challenge Cup winner’s medal when Cas take on St Helens in Saturday’s final.
But Watts (above), 31, said the Wembley showdown cannot qualm his concerns about where the sport is heading. His catalogue of fears include:
Player welfare is ignored in the desperation to cram fixtures into an already packed schedule.
Disciplinary system failing, with punishments unfair say players.
Recent England game was a box-ticking exercise which badly impacted some clubs, including Cas, who had to forfeit to St Helens days later, in part because of injuries from the international.
Amateur game is in crisis because of falling numbers and the recent controversy over Academy licences has further eroded confidence in the sport.
Watts warned: “There is talk of the game going part-time. It’s a sport that is getting drained from all angles.
“All the negativity and some of the RFL decisions are having a major affect.
“There are so many games in short periods, and so much fatigue, that the game itself is getting unattractive to watch at times. There is just no thought for players. We’re like pieces of meat who turn up week in week out, but boys are getting injured.
“Something has to give and it’s the players. You can’t keep asking us to put tired bodies on the line.”
The RFL and Super League are in talks about joining forces again and Watts warned: “We won’t get big numbers or major sponsorships if we have two separate organisations working against one another.”
Castleford-born Watts, who won the Cup with Hull in 2016 and 2017, hopes next Saturday’s final will inspire fans. He said: “I know how sacred the Cup is to Castleford. My sons Tom and Blake were at my last two finals and it was the best feeling showing them the trophy.”
Watts’ wife Beth will also be at the final, but their 10-month-old son Chanse won’t as Wembley are not allowing under-twos.
Watts said: “Hopefully I can bring a winner’s medal home for him to see.”
DARYL POWELL will play a host of Cas kids today against Salford to safeguard his Challenge Cup final side as much as possible.
The Tigers failed in a bid to bring this game forward to help preparations for Saturday’s Wembley clash.
Today’s match is their first game in 16 days, due to Covid reasons.
Powell said: “There are a couple of final places still available, so some players need to play well.
“It’s also a great opportunity for our young kids.”