NRL head of football Brian Canavan was quick to reassure regional NSW it won’t be left for dead following the announcement next year’s City-Country clash at Mudgee’s Glen Willow will be the last.
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The announcement has been mooted for some time, with the uncertainty around the future of the City-Country clash clouded following a host of big name withdrawls from previous fixtures.
Tellingly, though, bush communities have supported the fixture in their droves, with Dubbo’s clash at Caltex Park attracting 9627 people in 2014.
Previous to that, Mudgee’s last game in 2012 attracted 8621 people and in 2009, when Wade Park last held the rep game, a full house sign went up when 8226 fans flooded Orange’s premier sporting precinct.
Canavan said the 2017 NRL draw will reveal several NRL club games heading west next season. Bathurst leads the way in that regard with its agreement with Penrith Panthers again set to net Carrington Park an NRL regular season clash.
While in 2018 a restructured NSW Cup competition will include a team, or teams, depending on submissions, from regional NSW, opening the door for second tier games in rugby league strongholds in the bush.
Canavan added he’d had conversations with regional NSW and possible entries into that competition loomed in 2018, with the view to encourage country players to remain in rural areas rather than commit to a city move ahead of time.
“(The) pathways review suggests the NRL decentralise the game ... have the game educated at grass roots level rather than bring bush players to Sydney at young ages,” Canavan added.
CRL CEO Terry Quinn believes regional fans won’t turn their back on the game ahead of the Mudgee clash.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
“I think next year you’ll have to get a bigger ground for Des (Kennedy), they won’t fit them all in. They’ll celebrate that,” Quinn predicted ahead of the May 7 clash at Glen Willow.
He said regular season competition games in regional areas was a decent trade off.
“I don’t think the communities will be disappointed if there’s a game Johnathan Thurston comes to town for,” Quinn said.
“I’m sure crowds will watch him or anyone of that calibre play, this gives us that opportunity to have a look at other players.”
Quinn said he’d ensure the NRL maintained its “formal commitment” to continue to support Country Rugby League areas.
He said he was also determined that Country vs City would go out on a high.
