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April 9 South Sydney might hand over their juniors to Randwick Rugby Club if the National Rugby League attempted to exclude the Rabbitohs from next year's competition, president George Piggins said last night. Speaking after the resurgent club announced a sponsorship deal valued around $300,000 a year with telecommunications company RSL Com, Piggins dug his heels in over the planned rationalisation of the competition in 2000. "We would have to talk to Souths Juniors about it - it would be up to them," Piggins said last night when asked about the threat, first reported in the Herald last month. "But why would you keep supporting rugby league if you had been shot out of the premier competition? "As far as I am concerned, we would all come under the banner of Randwick rugby union if we decided to give league away. It's a possibility we would point out to the NRL." But NRL chief executive Neil Whittaker said last night he didn't believe Souths would act on the threat. "I can't believe George would really think that or would really do that," Whittaker said. "And I don't think Souths Juniors, who do such a good job raising young footballers, would do it. Kids play rugby league because they love the game." RSL Com signed a three-year deal with Souths despite them being earmarked by many as a joint-venture prospect if they are to survive in the proposed 14-team league in 2000. The company's logo will appear on Souths' shorts and sleeves. The Rabbitohs are confident of attracting a naming-rights sponsor for a similar period, despite the uncertainty. Prominent supporter Nick Greiner told a media conference that Souths were "the leading brand in rugby league". Piggins said: "If we can't deliver on the agreement, then we can't deliver. But we are going to be there - we aren't even thinking in those terms." It's not the first time a club under threat has used a rival sport to warn the NRL about the problem of rationalisation. Western Suburbs chief executive Martin Bullock and chairman Jim Marsden have predicted the Kangaroos AFL club would engulf the Macarthur region if the Magpies were forced out of the area. Meanwhile, Piggins said he had been told rugby union scouts were already interested in one Rabbitoh - believed to be utility back Craig Wing. "I've been told they are looking at one bloke," Piggins said. "No, I'm not going to tell you who it is." Tonight's Sydney Cricket Ground opponents, Parramatta and Sydney City, are also at loggerheads over the rationalisation issue. Parramatta have signed the controversial club agreement, while most other Sydney clubs are holding off, pending legal advice from ARL chairman Colin Love. Asked his opinion of the Eels' decision, Roosters chief executive Bernie Gurr said: "I don't want to comment, aside to say that Parramatta were part of a bloc. "The NSW rugby league clubs were taking legal advice before signing. By signing it, they [Parramatta] - along with Canterbury - have gone outside that bloc." http://www.smh.com.au\league\news\199904\09\9league1.html |
