WIGAN chairman Ian Lenagan was last night remaining tight lipped about his reasons for leading a revolt against the governing body.

Because of his action, the Rugby Football League was forced into an embarrassing climbdown when a majority of Super League clubs demanded a re-think over its plans to re-structure the domestic game.

Lenagan declined to comment when contacted by the Evening Post. And offered the chance to elaborate on why he was driven to take action, he said only: “I’d rather not.”

Though Lenagan instigated the rebellion by inviting all 14 clubs to a hastily arranged meeting on Monday, it’s understood he doesn’t want to threaten the success of the upcoming World Cup with negative remarks.

Discussions will take place over the coming weeks, but it appeared unlikely a decision on the top-flight’s structure from 2015 will not be made until after the international competition has finished.

The RFL declined to add any comment to their statement, issued on Monday night, which said a majority of Super League clubs wanted “further consultation” over the policy review which has been the subject of discussions for most of the year.

The headline proposal is a reduction in the number of top-flight clubs, along with the method of re-introducing automatic promotion and relegation.

But the central issue appears to be control of the game and, more pertinently, the purse strings.

Lenagan feels the governing body has not done enough to market the game and bring in additional income - the Warriors won the Super League on Saturday, a competition which had no title sponsor.

He also wants Super League clubs to be given a greater say in the future direction of the sport, with representation on the currently independent board of directors.

Hetherington did not attend the “rebels’” meeting but confirmed Rhinos would have backed the RFL recommendations.

But the move by Lenagan and his colleagues is seen as a vote of no-confidence in the RFL and its chief executive Nigel Wood.

The policy review will not now be officially re-considered until after the end of the World Cup, which leaves just two months of an off season to put plans in place.

Thats one of the most depressing things i have read about the whole sport.

The people in charge over the last decade should hang their heads in shame!! Yes we are currently in poor economic times, but in recent times we have also had it wonderfully well. The fact that rl has fallen so far is a travasty and a disgrace no "proffesional" sport with the second highest viewing figures on sky should be in such a poor state.

Yes it's always best to sit back and let the sport be run to a slow death

a very wealthy man and a chairman of a leading super league club so who's asking?

hardly any surprise Lenagan doesn't want to rush to press without a fully agreed plan and to distract from the world cup.

he has known about it for 12 months so why wait till the 11 hour

Quote dubairl="dubairl"a very wealthy man and a chairman of a leading super league club so who's asking? hardly any surprise Lenagan doesn't want to rush to press without a fully agreed plan and to distract from the world cup.'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_135 ... nagan.html Carl Hall..whoever he is..Doncaster Cheif exec apparently

Quote dubairl="dubairl"a very wealthy man and a chairman of a leading super league club so who's asking? hardly any surprise Lenagan doesn't want to rush to press without a fully agreed plan and to distract from the world cup.'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_135 ... nagan.html Carl Hall..whoever he is..Doncaster Cheif exec apparently

Carl Hall is God in Doncaster and as owner and CEO of the club is concerned abt the survival and success of his club and entitled to his opinion as his Mr lenegan

Completely agree. Yes we are in a recession, but it has hardly affected any other sport.

The people responsible for the Stobarts fiasco should have been summarily sacked.

Imagine the conversation in the Wigan boardroom

"Ian it's Nutty Nige on the phone"

"Hi Nige, what news on the sponsorship?"

"Great news I've just secured the famous Eddie Stobart - we will be known as the Stobart Super League from now on"

"Ok well how much are they giving us?

The phone goes dead at this point

In answer to Dave0 and the point by point approach.

I posted again because you introduced a new thought namely that I was failing to see something presuming that you knew my mind and you do not.

How can there be evidence of something that is new before it happens, however there has to be trust in those that carried out the review.

Likewise if the pitfalls are so obvious how did the people carrying out the review miss them, or if they were considered why did they not think they posed a strong enough reason to exclude them and come up with an alternative.
They are nearer to and know more about the problems and possible solutions than you or I so in effect they are saying your concerns are at least not of serious enough.

As to me not having the answers well I have no problem admitting that I don't.
If anyone claims to have them well lets say it's a pretty big claim.
As above I have to trust who is in place to make them and review the available options which at the moment there is the RFL one and the alternative from Wigan through their leader and I know for sure the latter is not satisfactory.

If I were pressed i would say that 24 clubs is too many.
For the new idea on the lines of the RFL proposal a system that includes the current 14 SL clubs and the top 3 of the Championship and include Tolouse if they get the media backing that has been muted making about 18 clubs in the mix but as with anything anyone can say it won't work and point out this that and the other.

In the meantime we are left with the game hanging in the balance with two proposals that have no full backing at any level.

I can understand why the guy is upset to be honest. I just think that there are bigger issues at stake here than Doncaster RLFC.

Actually the timing might be quite clever by IL. A vote of no confidence is long overdue.

I also think that part of this is to save London Broncos. Because under the proposed format they would sink without trace after next season. I for one, wouldn't welcome that. I think RL needs a presence in the capital.

Higher average attendance? You may want to check that.

3 times in the last 10 years you've had a higher average attendance.

Maybe because all of the clubs in agreement haven't come up with a business module and he isn't just going it alone unlike some believe apparently.