Carr asks clubs to think outside square
By Daniel Pace 11/08/2004 10:32:31 PM
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr has appealed to the 15 NRL clubs to "think outside the square" in promoting international rugby league following calls to scrap the World Sevens.
But Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad on Wednesday night claimed the $100,000 pre-season tournament was doing nothing for the game at international level.
"It's a real disappointment the clubs can't think outside the square and look at what's good for the game," said Carr.
"But I have some sympathy for their position because they're being paid to look at what's good for their club."
"If clubs don't support it then it's a waste of time."
The club CEOs told the ARL at their monthly meeting on Tuesday they were in favour of dumping the pre-season two-day tournament because of the expense and risk of injuries to players.
They would prefer priority be given to the World Club Challenge in February and raised the possibility of clubs taking their trial games overseas, including the Pacific Islands.
Several clubs - including the Bulldogs - have come under fire for failing to treat the sevens tournament seriously, fielding reserve grade players in their squads.
"It's a real reason why the clubs should never run the game ... because they've got a club-centric view," added Carr about the clubs' opposition to the event, which attracted more than 40,000 fans in January.
The ARL views the World Sevens as a vehicle to advance the development of international rugby league but Noad questioned its value.
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