In a recent interview, British rugby league player Luke Keary expressed his discontent with the current state of the Super League, describing it as “horrendous” and “unwatchable”. His comments drew criticism from Rhodri Jones, managing director of RL Commercial, who labelled Keary’s views as “over dramatic”. Jones acknowledged Keary’s right to his opinion but disagreed with his assessment, noting increased TV ratings and higher match-day attendances as signs of a flourishing league.
Jones suggested that Keary’s perspective might be skewed due to his recent move to France, stating that his experiences in the Super League differ from those in the NRL, which he described as comparable to the Premier League in terms of media coverage. He pointed out that Super League is making strides, such as participating in events like the Magic Round at St James’ Park in Newcastle and fostering discussions with the NRL about potential collaboration.
Keary’s criticisms included a lack of media coverage for the Super League, claiming that it detrimentally impacts player involvement and fan engagement. His remarks have caused speculation about a possible financial penalty from the RFL and Catalans Dragons for his outburst.
Despite the negative feedback, Jones remained optimistic about the Super League’s future and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve relationships with the NRL. He expressed hope that Keary’s participation in upcoming matches would alter his perspective on the league’s progress.
Overall, the exchange underlines a division of opinion on the state of rugby league, reflecting the contrasting experiences between players in the NRL and Super League.