The News Review:
- ‘Neill’s plan to cross codes
- 6 weeks to Rugby World Cup and Irish getting geared up
- Rugby: Smith says he’s back on the ball
‘Neill’s plan to cross codes
The Australian – Jul 28, 2007
During a meeting between the two that went on for several hours Packer got out a sheet of butcher’s paper drew a football field on it and mapped out what a hybrid game would look like. He proposed making the field smaller because television audiences wanted tries. Packer was in favour of keeping rugby union’s lineout and scrums because they were genuine contests for possession but said the ruck and maul were "a dog’s breakfast". Rugby league’s play-the-ball was "a far more sensible" option. The media proprietor was also adamant rugby union had two too many players on the field. Rugby league’s 13 was his ideal. However the two men’s vision which ‘Neill details in his new book It’s nly a Game ultimately came to nothing because of Packer’s concern for his rugby league audience… Packer was in favour of keeping rugby union’s lineout and scrums because they were genuine contests for possession but said the ruck and maul were "a dog’s breakfast". Rugby league’s play-the-ball was "a far more sensible" option. The media proprietor was also adamant rugby union had two too many players on the field. Rugby league’s 13 was his ideal. However the two men’s vision which ‘Neill details in his new book It’s nly a Game ultimately came to nothing because of Packer’s concern for his rugby league audience. "At the end of the day son we’re appealing to two different markets " Packer told ‘Neill. "And the power of rugby league’s penetration into the western suburbs of Sydney is something I’d never give up or risk.
6 weeks to Rugby World Cup and Irish getting geared up
Belfast Telegraph – Jul 28, 2007
In Ireland’s Pool D are France Argentina Namibia and Georgia. Munster will have a healthy contingent in the panel too who will be gunning for their Heineken Cup conquerors Llanelli Scarlets once more when the tournament is over. Denis Leamy would love an excuse to play as many big games as possible this autumn. He says that the worry at the moment is that he’d pick up an injury before the competition.
Rugby: Smith says he’s back on the ball
New Zealand Herald – Jul 28, 2007
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