EXCLUSIVE

By Mike Hall

WIRE coach John Dorahy says he was disappointed for the Australian Rugby League when it lost its battle with Rupert Murdoch's Super League.

His comments may surprise many but as the Australian explains: "I grew up with the ARL so I was extremely disappointed for it when I heard the news.

"But, as far as Super League goes, it is fabulous. The verdict has opened up a Pandora's box of opportunities for the game."

In addition to the European Super League, Challenge Cup and Premiership Trophy, Murdoch's appeal court triumph has opened the way for a World Club Challenge which looks set to involve all 12 Super League teams in Europe.

They will play off with the Australian Super League's sides during a mid-season break to decide who will contest the World Club quarter-finals at the end of the season.

An excited Dorahy adds: "Winning the World Club Challenge is the pinnacle. That has to be the ultimate goal. But winning the European Super League title will be the thing we are all working towards through the season."

Rugby executive Alex Murphy says: "This is the best thing that has happened to Super League since its introduction. It will give Rugby League world wide status and will stop the influx of players going to Union.

"This has given the sport the bite it needed and it will be a wow for the supporters. They can support the game globally and will see the top Australian clubs playing over here and the likes of Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler and Allan Langer will be coming over.

"I admire Rupert Murdoch for sticking to his guns. He could have walked away but he is committed to the game and has got the rewards which nobody had dreamed of.

"The marketing men are now in a great position with the best product in the world to sell. They will eventually be spreading the game to the likes of Pakistan and Japan."

Murphy and Dorahy admit they were shocked by Murdoch's appeal court victory, which saw all of the original bans on Super League overturned.

Murphy says: "No-one in the world expected every single thing to be reversed. I was surprised by the manner in which he won."

Dorahy says: "I think law in itself is a strange kettle of fish. You only have to look at rape or even motoring offences to see that what is good enough for the goose is not always good for the gander."

Another plus for the British game could be the abolition of the overseas quota, which currently stands at five.

Both Dorahy and Murphy believe it will have to go.

"There can now be an open market between all countries and so there has to be a way around the overseas system for the English clubs," adds Dorahy.

Murphy says: "I think they will lift the quota so you can have as many overseas players as you like. It happened in soccer."

Warrington have just filled their overseas quota but it is unlikely they will recruit any more from down under if the limit is removed.

Dorahy says: "We believe we have the right mix of overseas and local talent at Warrington. And, if there is local talent available which is as good as that overseas then we will stay local."

WIRE coach John Dorahy says he was disappointed for the Australian Rugby League when it lost its battle with Rupert Murdoch's Super League.

His comments may surprise many but as the Australian explains: "I grew up with the ARL so I was extremely disappointed for it when I heard the news."

But he added: "As far as Super League goes, it is fabulous. The verdict has opened up a Pandora's box of opportunities for the game."

In addition to the European Super League, Challenge Cup and Premiership Trophy, Murdoch's appeal court triumph has opened the way for a World Club Challenge which looks set to involve all 12 Super League teams in Europe.

They will play off with the Australian Super League's sides during a mid-season break to decide who will contest the World Club quarter-finals at the end of the season.

An excited Dorahy adds: "Winning the World Club Challenge is the pinnacle. That has to be the ultimate goal. But winning the European Super League title will be the thing we are all working towards through the season."

Rugby executive Alex Murphy says: "This is the best thing that has happened to Super League since its introduction. It will give Rugby League worldwide status and will stop the influx of players going to Union.

"This has given the sport the bite it needed and it will be a wow for the supporters. They can support the game globally and will see the top Australian clubs playing over here and the likes of Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler and Allan Langer will be coming over.

"I admire Rupert Murdoch for sticking to his guns. He could have walked away but he is committed to the game and has got the rewards which nobody had dreamed of.

"The marketing men are now in a great position with the best product in the world to sell. They will eventually be spreading the game to the likes of Pakistan and Japan."

Murphy and Dorahy admit they were shocked by Murdoch's appeal court victory, which saw all of the original bans on Super League overturned.

Murphy says: "No-one in the world expected every single thing to be reversed. I was surprised by the manner in which he won."

Dorahy says: "I think law in itself is a strange kettle of fish. You only have to look at rape or even motoring offences to see that what is good enough for the goose is not always good for the gander."

Another plus for the British game could be the abolition of the overseas quota, which currently stands at five.

Both Dorahy and Murphy believe it will have to go.

"There can now be an open market between all countries and so there has to be a way around the overseas system for the English clubs," adds Dorahy.

Murphy says: "I think they will lift the quota so you can have as many overseas players as you like. It happened in soccer."

Warrington have just filled their overseas quota but it is unlikely they will recruit any more from down under if the limit is removed.

Dorahy says: "We believe we have the right mix of overseas and local talent at Warrington. And, if there is local talent available which is as good as that overseas then we will stay local."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.