I'm guessing Bradford would have been consulted re starting their season a week early. If they agreed to this, they get little sympathy from me. No good complaining about fixture congestion now; had their game not been called off they'd've had a less congested season than many of their rivals.
As much as it pains me to agree, the Bulls have a strong case. I wonder if the Quins share similar feelings? Rather than having a fixture pile up, a re-arranged game with the Bulls would sort the problem out, but they would have to forfeit the Manley game. The RFL will ideally like Manley to have a run-out trial game against SL opposition, as it acts a useful tool to show that NRL are taking the WCC seriously. But if Quins do dodge the game, what about the leftovers from last week? Wigan or Wakie, as they should have a free week. They may fancy taking them on, I mean when would they get another opportunity? Manley may see Wigan as worthy opposition and Wakefield would fit logistically.
Is this an appalling effort by Hood to undermien the event or does he have a point that a SL fixture should take precedence over a warm up game?
It could be argued that the Bulls seem to have had their plans disrupted as Quinze need a leg up in promoting their club. If Bradford find themselves playing two games in a week in a few months, there could be a detrimental effect on their season. It will be interesting to see how it pans out, but I wouldn't object to Hood sticking to his guns.
I'm guessing Bradford would have been consulted re starting their season a week early. If they agreed to this, they get little sympathy from me. No good complaining about fixture congestion now; had their game not been called off they'd've had a less congested season than many of their rivals.
No we were'nt hense the article in the T&A with Peter Hood going mad as we lost out on a match against Hull KR.
Also Peter Hood hasn't complained about this friendly he actually said in the T&A and I qoute:
“We’ll talk to Red Hall and see what comments they have got on the situation,” he said.
“If that Manly friendly wasn’t going ahead, maybe something could be sorted, but as far as I know I’m sure it still will.
“Just because this game has been called off because of the weather, it doesn’t change the rationale for setting up that Manly game in the first place.”
I would suggest that stating that the rationale for setting up the friendly isn't changed just because of the game at the weekend was called off isn't exactly an attempt to undermine anything.
Clearwing wrote:
I'm guessing Bradford would have been consulted re starting their season a week early. If they agreed to this, they get little sympathy from me. No good complaining about fixture congestion now; had their game not been called off they'd've had a less congested season than many of their rivals.
No we were'nt hense the article in the T&A with Peter Hood going mad as we lost out on a match against Hull KR.
Also Peter Hood hasn't complained about this friendly he actually said in the T&A and I qoute:
“We’ll talk to Red Hall and see what comments they have got on the situation,” he said.
“If that Manly friendly wasn’t going ahead, maybe something could be sorted, but as far as I know I’m sure it still will.
“Just because this game has been called off because of the weather, it doesn’t change the rationale for setting up that Manly game in the first place.”
I would suggest that stating that the rationale for setting up the friendly isn't changed just because of the game at the weekend was called off isn't exactly an attempt to undermine anything.
Every player in our squad could probably earn more money with another club. But they prefer to sacrifice a few extra quid in their back pocket to share special memories. And playing at a place like Old Trafford on a night like this makes it all worthwhile.
Slightly different slant in the YP. Hood seems to be asking the RFL to change the fixture. I'll give him this, he's being a lot more circumspect and canny as opposed to his past approach of foot stamping and dummy spitting.
Bradford, meanwhile, have written to the RFL to ask them to determine whether their Super League match against Harlequins could be given priority over the London club's friendly against NRL champions Manly.
The league fixture at The Stoop fell victim to the big freeze last Sunday after being rescheduled from February 22 to allow Manly to play Quins as part of their preparations for the Carnegie World Club Challenge against Leeds on March 1.
"As things stand, the only option is to hold our match in midweek or when both clubs are not involved in the later rounds of the Challenge Cup but it's our aim not to have any free weekends between now and the second round of the play-offs," said Hood.
"We have asked the question of the RFL and are awaiting their response."
Slightly different slant in the YP. Hood seems to be asking the RFL to change the fixture. I'll give him this, he's being a lot more circumspect and canny as opposed to his past approach of foot stamping and dummy spitting.
Bradford, meanwhile, have written to the RFL to ask them to determine whether their Super League match against Harlequins could be given priority over the London club's friendly against NRL champions Manly.
The league fixture at The Stoop fell victim to the big freeze last Sunday after being rescheduled from February 22 to allow Manly to play Quins as part of their preparations for the Carnegie World Club Challenge against Leeds on March 1.
"As things stand, the only option is to hold our match in midweek or when both clubs are not involved in the later rounds of the Challenge Cup but it's our aim not to have any free weekends between now and the second round of the play-offs," said Hood.
"We have asked the question of the RFL and are awaiting their response."
As much as it pains me to agree, the Bulls have a strong case. I wonder if the Quins share similar feelings? Rather than having a fixture pile up, a re-arranged game with the Bulls would sort the problem out, but they would have to forfeit the Manley game. The RFL will ideally like Manley to have a run-out trial game against SL opposition, as it acts a useful tool to show that NRL are taking the WCC seriously. But if Quins do dodge the game, what about the leftovers from last week? Wigan or Wakie, as they should have a free week. They may fancy taking them on, I mean when would they get another opportunity? Manley may see Wigan as worthy opposition and Wakefield would fit logistically.
Uvavu. The Wigan v Wakey game was rearranged from Round 17, so they would not have a free week at an appropriate time. Moving their game in Round 2 (week 3) would just mean another club having Bradford's fixture congestion instead.
Uvavu. The Wigan v Wakey game was rearranged from Round 17, so they would not have a free week at an appropriate time. Moving their game in Round 2 (week 3) would just mean another club having Bradford's fixture congestion instead.
Eranu!!
I'm easily confused!! So what about Wakie?? Do they have a free week now? They may fancy taking them on.
I'm easily confused!! So what about Wakie?? Do they have a free week now? They may fancy taking them on.
Wakey will have a fixture when Manly are in the country. They will be free in Week 18 (Round 17) but that isn't much help for the purposes of this friendly!
Wakey will have a fixture when Manly are in the country. They will be free in Week 18 (Round 17) but that isn't much help for the purposes of this friendly!