Former Australian Rugby League CEO Geoff Carr said that the National Rugby League "must consider reducing the number of premiership rounds to capitalise on the renewed interest" -- and potential revenue stream from TV rights -- in int'l football after New Zealand recorded its third consecutive victory over the "code's traditional super power, Australia," according to Daniel Lane of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Kiwis "thumped" Australia 26-12 in Brisbane on Sunday in a match "watched by a bumper television audience." However, what was of "particular interest" was that Saturday's Tests between Tonga-Samoa and Fiji-Papua New Guinea "outrated the Super 15 match between the Rebels and Chiefs." Carr said that the NRL now "had a number of 'quality products' within the game'" including the State of Origin, the Auckland Nines, the Indigenous All Stars match and the World Club Challenge. But he warned the NRL "can't compromise the traditional end-of-season Tests involving Australia as it has this year." Carr: "They have to think seriously about reducing the length of the competition, with all the concepts they've developed, so as not to impede on international rugby league. ... The challenge for the NRL is to juggle all those things but to also ensure the international rugby league is a focus [postseason]. I think the biggest challenge is to balance the lot and make decisions about the length of the comp. ... They have to balance it so the best players aren't overloaded" (SMH, 5/4).
