6:17am Saturday 6th March 2010
THE new dual registration possibilities in professional rugby league have been given the thumbs up by the Knights – after they utilised the system for the first time.
As revealed by The Press, the club this week recruited young Castleford duo Jordan Thompson and John Davies on dual registration forms.
This new system, which is intended to complement not replace the loan system, is an arrangement between clubs whereby a player continues to be registered to his Super League club but is also registered to play for a Championships club.
It has come in for some criticism, with fans concerned it could lead to lopsided scorelines if and when a team “borrows” Super League players. Some also fear it’s a forerunner to a feeder club system.
However, Knights general manager Ian Wilson believes it can benefit full-time and part-time clubs alike.
He explained: “With the loan system, any agreement has to be initially for four weeks, with no call-back for the lending club. But a lot of Super League clubs were reluctant to let players go out on loan, especially those in the first-team squad, in case they got injuries and needed them.
“With dual registration, they can call them back instantly if they need to, so they’re more willing to let them go in the first place.
“We’ve been assured by Cas they will only call Jordan and John back if it’s to play in their first team, not their under-20s. We’re happy with how the arrangement works.
“From our point of view, we’re able to get better players from Super League clubs. Before, those clubs might have only loaned out players they knew wouldn’t figure in Super League. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
That last assertion has been challenged, however.
Last week’s opponents, London Skolars, and new Championship One outfit South Wales Scorpions have so far benefited from dual registration the most – geography being an obvious factor as they have got players from Super League expansion clubs Harlequins and Crusaders respectively. The Scorpions, with Crusaders loanees also involved, went on to enjoy an opening-day win over Workington, a result which opened eyes and raised eyebrows.
Once their “borrowed” players are called back, say the sceptics, the Scorpions will not fare so well – meaning this result was a freak unmerited outcome, with Working-ton the unfortunate recipients.
Plus, they argue, if players can be legitimately signed to two clubs in different tiers, then we’re getting into feeder club territory.
One rejoin to those fears is the fact a receiving club can play no more than four loaned and/or dual registered players, and no more than three from the same parent club.
Furthermore, the players involved must be under 23 on August 31 in the preceding season, so are generally not seasoned Super League stars.
My fear, though, is that reserve-grade players at clubs like York might get overlooked, in favour of a Super League lad, as they too try to make their way in the sport.
However, BJ Mather, the Rugby Football League’s head of player development, was adamant dual registration was good for the game.
“The purpose is to provide a flexible development pathway for young Super League players who might not be quite ready to make the step up to Super League first-team duties on a permanent basis,” he said.
The rules state only Super League players can be dual registered and the receiving club must be in the Championships. The player is eligible to play and train with both clubs, subject to registration, salary cap and eligibility rules. However, he can play in only one fixture each given weekend, with the Super League club effectively having first dabs.
Mather added: “We were of the view there may be an opportunity for clubs to enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement with a view to giving the player quality first-team experience in a manner which will prove cost-effective for the Championships club.”
TO mark Challenge Cup third round weekend, the RFL have asked fans to nominate their greatest giant-killing of all time – and York are one of the suggested entries.
However, don’t go wondering whether they’re referring to the Cup final team of 1931, or the brave boys who went on to run the mighty Wigan so close in the 1984 semi-final, or even the 12 Knights who memorably turned over big favourites Featherstone with a last-minute winner away in 2004.
The possible inclusion is actually an instantly forgettable one for York fans.
The RFL press release gave obvious examples such as Sheffield’s Wembley win over the all-conquering Wigan in 1998, and Featherstone’s final shock against Hull.
“But,” it added, “some of the most memorable surprises have been sprung a long way from Wembley, such as West Hull’s win against the professionals of York at the Boulevard in 1996.”
Erm, yeah, let’s not mention that one. Or the Wasps’ defeat to Dudley Hill the year after.
Fans can email john.ledger@rfl.uk.com with their choices, stating the match, what year it was played and a 50-100 word explanation.
Everyone who submits an entry before the April 9 deadline will be entered into a draw to win two tickets for this year’s final.
FANS are reminded season tickets are valid for tomorrow’s cup match at Gateshead.
The Knights Supporters’ Club coach, meanwhile, will leave from The Ainsty at 11.45am, Clarence Street at noon and Huntington Stadium at 12.15pm.
The price is £15 for adults and £9 for under-16s. As this is a Challenge Cup trip, there are no discounts for travel club members. To book, phone 07958 569266.
The Challenge Cup fourth round draw, which sees Super League clubs enter, will take place on Monday and will be live on BBC Radio 5 Live shortly after 7.30pm, broadcast live from Warirngton’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.
SKIRLAUGH’S loss is so far the Knights’ gain – as shown by the first Player of the Month award for 2010 and the latest Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year standings.
Big Prop Brett Waller and utility ace Lee Waterman came to Huntington Stadium last summer from the amateur club and, after showing promise then, have already begun turning potential into quality pro performances.
That has been reflected in Waller’s winning the Player of the Month for February as voted for by Press readers, and with Waterman winning his second man-of-the-match award to also rise up the Player of the Year leaderboard.
Waller, who is turning into something of a cult hero with his wrecking ball style, pipped full-back Danny Ratcliffe to the monthly accolade, which not only sees him collect a framed Press photograph at the next home match but also garners him three bonus Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year points.
He was also deemed by The Press to be the Knights’ second-best player in last week’s win over London Skolars, his arrival on the pitch having coincided with the team’s upturn, so this brings him two more points, for a running total of seven – and top spot in the standings.
Waterman, whose two tries took him to six in four games this season, is awarded three points as man of the match, which lift him up to second place.
Waller’s fellow front-row replacement, Mark Applegarth, also had a positive impact, so the reigning Press Player of the Year gets onto this season’s leaderboard with the remaining point.
Northern Rail/Press Player of the Year standings: Waller 7pts, Waterman 6pts, Blakeway 3, Ross 3, Thorman 2, Freer 2, Reittie 2, McLocklan 1, Applegarth 1.
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