A VINE EXAMPLE OF PROGRESS
Talking Grass Roots
with PHIL HODGSON
ANY NEWS ON AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE? Contact Phil Hodgson on 07786 980909 or email: philhodgson2@aol.co.uk
LAST
week’s news that the 2021 World Cups, at men’s, women’s and wheelchair levels, have been put back a year was hardly a surprise.
RLWC chief executive Jon Dutton and his estimable colleagues really were between a rock and a hard place, but from their personal perspectives it has to be said that they really are beyond criticism and have dealt with a very difficult situation following the withdrawals of Australia and New Zealand as best they could.
A saving grace of a memorable saga is that the actions of the Kangaroos and the Kiwis has helped generate huge publicity for the competitions, which had already benefited from the involvement of Prince Harry, who at the time was Patron of the Rugby Football League, in the draws.
Very few sentient citizens in this country, and maybe across the rest of the planet, can now be unaware that there’s a World Cup taking place next year. You couldn’t buy that kind of publicity, it’s a heck of a silver lining.
Another plus, at least as far as the Wheelchair game is concerned, is that tentative plans are being mooted for Test matches to take place this autumn, to give the players who have been preparing for the World Cup an immediate reward for all their efforts. And given that there will be a World Cup in 2022 (let’s hope there will be no further unpleasant surprises) it could be argued that players will ultimately actually benefit, although it may be that some may miss out next year as age, or perhaps loss of form, catches up on them. That’s one of the really sad aspects, for me, of this saga.