Super Rugby side Salford Red Devils Owner Marwan Koukash said that the Super League "needs to split from the governance of the Rugby Football League," and wants the other 11 chairs to "back the move," according to the BBC. Koukash plans to meet with his counterparts within two weeks "with a view to them discussing the possibility of governing their own competition." He also "demanded an independent tribunal to review Salford's appeal" against its six-point deduction. He said, "I'm talking about a split. Super League clubs need full control over their finances, referees, and the compliance unit, everything." Koukash "made his announcement" on Wednesday (BBC, 5/18). In London, Aaron Bower reported Koukash "also spoke at length about his plans to force a vote of no confidence in the game’s governing body." He said, "The future lies in the hands of the 12 chairmen of Super League. ... I have no intention of being the leader of such a move, but before the end of the week I will have contacted all my fellow chairmen and I’m going to arrange to get together within the next two weeks. Again I have to stress this: the future of the game rests in our hands. I need their backing" (GUARDIAN, 5/18).
SUPER RUGBY EYEING '18 CHANGE: The AFP reported Super Rugby "will keep its unloved current format until the end of next year but change could happen" in '18, a report said on Wednesday, citing SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos. The competition expanded to 18 teams this season with the addition of Japan's Sunwolves, Argentina's Jaguares and South Africa's Southern Kings, "but it has not been plain sailing." Critics have complained of the lackluster standard of games, "lopsided contests, exhausting travel schedules and a fragmented, four-conference system watched by smaller crowds." While the New Zealand conference "is fiercely competitive with three co-leaders among its five teams, the other three conferences in Australia and South Africa are considerably weaker" (AFP, 5/18).
