NRL has a draft again...for 48 hours
By Brent Read 17/01/2003 11:25:12 PM
The National Rugby League finally has a draft again...for 48 hours at least.
The league has taken the extraordinary measure of reviving the concept ahead of next month's World Sevens after concerns were raised at Wednesday night's coaches meeting.
Several coaches, chief among them Bulldogs mentor Steve Folkes, voiced their doubts over being limited to squads of ten for the upcoming sevens tournament.
That sent officials scurrying for a solution.
The result - NRL squads will now be able to name an 11-man squad, with the extra player only allowed to play if one of the top ten is forced to withdraw through injury.
The Sydney clubs will also put forward players to go into a pool, which the overseas sides will raid if they are caught short during the two-day tournament.
"That (The coaches conference) was the catalyst for it," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.
"The coaches were concerned. They didn't want to see the intensity of the tournament suffer.
"They're logistical problems because ultimately in an ideal world you'd love to have as many players as possible.
"But there has to be a limit when your bringing in players from around the world."
View more news for this day.
Related News Stories:
Brought to you by AAP
© 2003 AAP
To submit a comment, you must be logged in.
See older news: 1 month | 1-3 months | 3-6 months | 6-12 months | 12+ months |
| 