V’landys: ‘I am not a quitter’

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has blasted suggestions he is a “dictator” and says a purported player revolt will not drive him out of the game as he vowed to safeguard NRL stars from long-term brain damage.

As he comes to terms with the most turbulent week of his ARLC chairmanship, V’landys has come out swinging, declaring he has no plans to quit amid claims his rule changes, including the high-shot crackdown, is ruining rugby league.

The State of Origin series opener kicks off this Wednesday night in Townsville and there are fears the NRL’s $100 million showpiece event could be tarnished by a spate of penalties and sin-bins for high tackles.

V’landys has also been buffeted by reports that an influential player bloc, comprising some of the code’s marquee voices, have made inquiries into potentially having the ARLC chairman removed.

But on the eve of Origin I, V’landys claimed he has consulted leading players and NRL coaches on rule changes and has pledged to continue rugby league’s crackdown to wipe out the threat of headtrauma injuries.

“What I have discovered is that everything is fine in rugby league until something affects their team,” V’landys said.

“Then people blow up that sums up rugby league.”

HIS FUTURE

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V’landys has a message for the disaffected minority who want him out of the game. He is committed to cleaning up rugby league ... for the sake of the very playing body who are said to be gunning for him.

“If I wanted to walk away, I can’t now, because I would look like a weak bastard and that’s not me,” he said. “In actual fact, if people wanted to get rid of me, they have done the opposite. I am here to stay. I am not a quitter.”