SeethingQRLbossHatcher firesbackatNRLinexplosivetirade
QUEENSLAND Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher has launched an explosive attack on NRL hierarchy as a high-level political war breaks out over the Maroons’ dramacharged Origin campaign.
A fed-up Hatcher has hit back at allegations the QRL is a “shambolic” organisation with a “rotten” culture and has challenged NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to come forward with a formal ‘please explain’ over Queensland’s management of their 2-1 series loss to NSW.
The build-up to Origin III last week was rocked by a report claiming NRL bosses wanted answers from the QRL over a number of matters, including the Ronaldo Mulitalo eligibility saga and the Jai Arrow Covidbreach scandal.
Hatcher was also stunned by suggestions Queensland’s participation figures have declined, despite QRL data showing playing numbers this year are 62,330 — the highest registration figures in the Sunshine State in six years.
Hatcher, who has more than 50 years’ experience in rugby league, took aim at the NRL, slamming suggestions of QRL incompetence and challenging the code’s bosses to contact him personally.
“I’ve had enough s... thrown at me over my and the QRL’s perceived incompetence through this series,”
Hatcher fired. “I’ve been doing this a long time.
“I know my roles and responsibilities and I don’t like allegations being made about me and the Queensland Rugby League when the veracity of the information isn’t checked.
“If the NRL has a problem with us, don’t go through the press ... call me directly and then I’ll explain our actions.
“The stitch-up has got personal and it’s all one-way traffic.”