By Roy Ward
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has mocked the AFL by claiming the code simply follows the NRL’s example, saying rugby league leads it “like you lead a horse”.
V’landys, a regular antagonist of the AFL, took aim at the return of State of Origin this year after the AFL stopped the concept for the decades due to injuries and questionable player interest after the last match in 1999.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys.Credit: Getty
V’landys also renewed his criticism that the AFL’s Gather Round copied the NRL’s Magic Round, although the NRL took that concept from the Super League in the UK who first hosted a Magic Weekend in 2007.
“Well firstly, can you explain what AFL is? How can they have a State of Origin? That’s unusual. It’s all in Victoria, most of the games, aren’t they?” V’landys said on Triple M on Thursday.
“We give them competition. As you say, competition lifts all boats. It’s actually lifted the AFL … they’ve come out of their slumber.
“They’re soon going to wake up and have a go. They’re looking at India now, they never looked at India before. They should not be scared of competition.
Garry Lyon and Patrick Dangerfield at the recently revived AFL State of Origin.Credit: AFL Photos
“We lead them, like you lead a horse. You just lead them through. What’s this Gather Round? What are they gathering? Rocks and stones? They’ve got Gather Round … they’ve copied Magic Round.”
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
V’landys also claimed the NRL’s Las Vegas matches – two games will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday in the US city – were drawing more international fans to the Watch NRL app and broadcasts in the US and at home.
“We’ve gone up about 90 per cent in sales for the Watch NRL app, which is a big jump,” V’landys said.
“It’s at a funny time, unfortunately, because in New York it’s about 11pm at night because we need the times to fit for Australia.
“It’s made it the highest rating round of the season in Australia because fans that don’t normally watch it have been attracted by the publicity generated by Vegas.
“They’ve gone from casual fans to engaged fans. This year and last year we had the biggest audience rugby has ever had.
“Vegas gives us the marketing momentum.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
