IT’S the confirmation of the worst kept secret in rugby league, but Monday’s announcement the 2017 City-Country clash will be the last of its kind was met coldly by Country Rugby League officials.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Officially announced as the venue for next May’s clash, Mudgee’s Glen Willow was the back drop for the confirmation from National Rugby League head of football Brian Canavan.
“An iconic fixture that has produced many, many champions,” Canavan opened with.
“Together with Country Rugby League and the NSWRL, we announce this will be the last Country-City fixture, beyond 2017.”
CRL chief executive officer Terry Quinn said he and his board wasn’t happy the match, which has been run since 1911, will cease to exist from 2018 onwards.
“Short answer is no, we’re not happy,” Quinn said.,
“But we’ve been in discussion with the NRL for a long time and the NSWRL, and this is the best way to take the game forward.”
Canavan said following a pathways review the NRL was faced with a number of tough decisions, the axing of the City-Country clash was one of those calls.
The NRL has, however, committed to taking competition games to regional centres, while the NSW Cup will be expanded to include regional teams in 2018.
The 2017 City-Country will be on Sunday, May 7.
