SA needed in expansion, Gallop says - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

SA needed in expansion, Gallop says

Steve Larkin 27/06/2011 05:16:57 PM Comments (0)

Rugby league wants more games at a redeveloped Adelaide Oval, identifying the South Australian capital as crucial to expansion, NRL chief David Gallop says.

The NRL met SA's government on Monday to voice a desire to play more games at Adelaide Oval, which is slated for a $530 million redevelopment by 2014.

"It is going to be one of the great stadiums," Gallop told reporters in Adelaide.

"We want to play games here.

"And we will certainly be talking to the government about ensuring that opportunity is still there for us in the next few years."

Gallop said while Adelaide remained a long shot as the site of an expansion club, games in the city were needed to fulfil the NRL vision.

That continues on July 9 when Canterbury play Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

"Games like the one in two weeks are an opportunity to remind us that they do like their rugby league in Adelaide," Gallop said.

"It may not be the next cab off the rank.

"But certainly our game has got aspirations to have a truly national profile.

"And if you are going to have a truly national profile then you need to be in Adelaide."

Gallop said he was "comfortable" with how rugby league was handling the AFL's Gold Coast invasion and prepared for the battle of the codes in western Sydney.

"We are pretty comfortable with how we're travelling in the Gold Coast district and also pretty comfortable that we will handle it when they come to western Sydney as well," he said.

And league remained open to shopping showpiece State of Origin games around, Gallop said.

Melbourne will again host an Origin battle next year, with New Zealand so far unsuccessful in their bids for a game.

"It has been very successful when we have taken it to Melbourne in recent times," he said.

"Origin footy is, we think, pretty much the top of the tree in Australian sport.

"And we love to showcase it around the country."

The Kiwis were interested in hosting the "major event".

"They have certainly put their hands up in the past," Gallop said.

"We obviously need to service Sydney and Brisbane as well.

"You never say never about where Origin might end up because it just gets bigger and better every year."

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