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Opposition calls for Superleague-style NRL overhaul
Sonny Bill Williams's defection from the Bulldogs has raised questions about the future of NRL playing contracts (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
The Federal Opposition has called on the NRL to look at ideas from the ill-fated Superleague to carry out a major overhaul of the competition in the wake of Sonny Bill Williams's decision to quit the code.
Williams walked out on the Bulldogs over the weekend and is currently in London reportedly waiting to travel to France to link up with rugby union side Toulon.
The Bulldogs and the NRL are taking legal action to enforce his five-year contract.
But Opposition spokesman on sport Pat Farmer says the NRL has to look at expanding the game to compete with other codes.
"They need to have a very good look at John Ribot's original masterpiece, which was of course the Superleague, and see how on earth they're going to take on soccer and rugby in the future," he said.
"It is not so much about persecuting Sonny Bill Williams, but to look at what they're going to do as far as turning the NRL into a truly national sport or international sport."
Meanwhile, the manager of rugby league's Agents Association says he does not want to see players following Williams and walking out on their contracts.
Paul Osborne says he has got no problem with players heading overseas to make more money, and says agents are entitled to get the best deal possible for their clients.
But he said things needed to be done properly.
"When getting that result means breaking a contract, that's when we have problems," he said.
"But obviously if a player is free to go, his contract's finished here or the clubs prepared to let him go.
"Good luck to him, but what we're seeing at the moment isn't great."
Unbelievable - the opposition are asking for more time in opposition!!!!
Sonny Bill Williams's defection from the Bulldogs has raised questions about the future of NRL playing contracts (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
The Federal Opposition has called on the NRL to look at ideas from the ill-fated Superleague to carry out a major overhaul of the competition in the wake of Sonny Bill Williams's decision to quit the code.
Williams walked out on the Bulldogs over the weekend and is currently in London reportedly waiting to travel to France to link up with rugby union side Toulon.
The Bulldogs and the NRL are taking legal action to enforce his five-year contract.
But Opposition spokesman on sport Pat Farmer says the NRL has to look at expanding the game to compete with other codes.
"They need to have a very good look at John Ribot's original masterpiece, which was of course the Superleague, and see how on earth they're going to take on soccer and rugby in the future," he said.
"It is not so much about persecuting Sonny Bill Williams, but to look at what they're going to do as far as turning the NRL into a truly national sport or international sport."
Meanwhile, the manager of rugby league's Agents Association says he does not want to see players following Williams and walking out on their contracts.
Paul Osborne says he has got no problem with players heading overseas to make more money, and says agents are entitled to get the best deal possible for their clients.
But he said things needed to be done properly.
"When getting that result means breaking a contract, that's when we have problems," he said.
"But obviously if a player is free to go, his contract's finished here or the clubs prepared to let him go.
"Good luck to him, but what we're seeing at the moment isn't great."
Unbelievable - the opposition are asking for more time in opposition!!!!