Powell calls for unified sport in light of Wolfpack fallout
CASTLEFORD TIGERS head coach Daryl Powell has urged rugby league to “get its house in order” after the fall- out from the Toronto Wolfpack saga.
Last week’s decision to deny the Canadian club a place back in Super League for 2021, after much- publicised financial problems saw them fail to fulfil this season’s fixtures, was met by mixed responses from fans.
That is perhaps not surprising given the outcome stemmed from split opinions among the sport’s powerbrokers.
Seven Super League clubs and the competition’s executive chairman Robert Elstone all voted against Toronto.
In contrast, the Rugby Football League – which has only one vote – backed the Wolfpack bid, as did Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Catalans Dragons.
It once more brought into the light the difficulties created by having two different governing bodies as well as clubs also getting to vote while it muddied the waters in terms of where the sport stands on expansion.
On the back of the financial hit caused by Covid and entering the final year of its broadcast deal, Powell said: “The sport has got to get its house in order, in terms of who is running it.
“I would just like to see a unified sport really; there are clearly some splits there. You are never going to get everybody agreeing with each other but we need a unified sport where everybody is working together and in the right direction. That is absolutely key.
“After everything that has happened this year, we need a really good year for the sport ( in 2021).
“Being unified and working together, a sport like rugby league has to be outstanding in that regard.”
As if to highlight the point, a seven- strong panel chosen to select who will replace Toronto in 2021 is made up of three members from the RFL and three from the Super League executive.
It is also being chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine of Rugby League’s All- Party Parliamentary Group.
Powell admitted it was hard to draw his own conclusions on Toronto without having seen all the relevant information.
However, on who will be the 12th club in Super League next term, he said: “It has to be good for the game and good for Super League. With York, Featherstone, London, Toulouse and lots of other options, it will be interesting to see what happens.”
Hull KR prop Daniel Murray has signed a two- year deal with Championship club Halifax.
Murray, on loan at Halifax in 2017 and 2018, said: “I’m buzzing to be part of the club. I loved every minute playing here before and loved what the club is about.”