Sun Herald, Sunday February 2 1997
By STEVE MASCORD
RUPERT Murdoch’s Super League is two days old in Australia and so far keeping its promises.
A big crowd rolled up to Stockland Stadium in Townsville yesterday for day two of the World Nines. And the new competition’s credo of slick presentation, streamlined rules and an international focus were given their first hearing.
Super League’s Australian team, most of whom haven’t played Test football since 1994 because of an ARL-imposed ban, quickly established themselves as favourites.
Brisbane signing Gorden Tallis ,who sat out last year rather than play for ARL side St George, dominated day one as the Australians beat Tonga and South Africa.
And young Penrith centre Ryan Girdler, who arrived only on Friday as a late replacement for injured skipper Laurie Daley, had his own Nines kick off an exciting new era fair-tale debut by scoring with his second touch in yesterday s 20-8 win over Western Samoa.
There was a video referee who decided on contentious tries, on-field referees were wired for sound and sweltering players wore high-tech cooling jackets.
Other innovations included the “red zone” the 20 metres at either end of the field being painted exactly that colour, and careful monitoring of players’ fluid levels in the oppressive heat. A tournament spokesman said they were losing about one and a half litres of fluid per 18-minute game.
But Super League, which was to have kicked off in Australia a year ago before being stymied by the Federal Court, did have its teething problems.
Yesterday referees co-ordinator Graham Annesley admitted the video referee – himself – had erred in awarding a try to Western Samoa’s Joe Galuvao against Australia.
Australian winger Michael Hancock clearly forced the ball in-goal before Galuvao got to it but referee Brian Grant called for the replay anyway. The crowd watched as the incident was replayed on a big screen and to its astonishment the word “try” was flashed up.
“It was a mistake and was the result of a technical problem,” Annesley said. “The reason we are using it in this tournament is to iron out teething problems and I have no doubt whatsoever that it is still the way to go.”
Super League seems destined to make the Nines, scaled down after last year and supported by a major sponsor for the first time, more successful than last year’s disastrous tournament in Suva.
But while local officials estimate it will plough $5 million into the Townsville economy, it is uncertain whether organisers will make a profit.
It’s believed New Zealand Rugby League officials will ask Super League tomorrow for more money after recording a $800,000 loss last year.
For Murdoch, keeping his promises to rugby league may prove more expensive than he ever imagined.
