Neil Barker: End of World Cup marks start of Super League battle

With the World Cup won and now over, it’s time for the Super League sledging to start. Things could get heated.

Salford owner Marwan Koukash has fired first shots from his Barton battleship by calling for a positive knock-on from the World Cup to be used to remedy the domestic game’s structuring and sponsorship problems.

After feasting on five fantastic weeks of international rugby league, it’s now time for Koukash and fellow owners to sort out the bread and butter problems facing club sides.

They have a lot on their plate.

Koukash believes a lasting legacy from a terrific tournament would be to provide Super League with a shot in the arm and  a rise in standards.

Some clubs share  Koukash’s vision but others have their own strategies and hidden agendas.

It could get pretty nasty in the season of goodwill with the World Cup won and on its way back to Australia.

RLWC  tournament director Nigel Wood knows he has to don a new hard hat and keep Koukash and Co. happy by putting something on the table to keep everyone involved in the domestic game happy.

Koukash was among a bumper 74.468 Old Trafford crowd who witnessed a comfortable Aussie win.

Koukash, however, saw beyond a trademark Kangaroo romp over the hapless Kiwi brothers.

He told MEN Sport: “The size of the crowd at Old Trafford shows people want to see world class players in action.

“England were not involved and yet people still flocked to see world-class players. That told me these same people also want to see these same players in Super League.

“I certainly do. Six clubs including

Salford can afford players like Billy Slater, Sonny Bill Williams and Greg Inglis.

“I know six others possibly cannot but in football that does not stop Manchester United buying world-class players.

“Many teams United play against like Swansea and Fulham can’t afford those players but they still have to play against them. There is nothing to stop the top clubs buying who they want to buy so why not have the same thing in rugby league?

“I have enjoyed the World Cup but we have to build on its success and do everything we can to promote our game and make Super League stronger.

“League has shown it’s a far better game to watch than rugby union.”

Koukash is already planning beyond next season and fully intends to keep chasing top stars from within the NRL.

Clubs may have broken away from the RFL and formed their own league by the time the next World Cup comes around.

Who knows what may happen but, for now, it’s well done Australia following a demolition job on the Kiwis whose luck and prayers were used up in their semi-final win over England.

Steve McNamara’s men would possibly have been far more competitive but it was the Kiwis who landed the chance to defend their title.

Far better was expected of them.

Two tries from Billy Slater and a cool brace from Brett Morris put green and gold ribbons back on the famous silver trophy with Cooper Cronk also touching down.

Playmaker Johnathan Thurston spoke of his delight at winning at the Theatre of Dreams.

“It does not get any better than this,” said Thurston. “Winning the World Cup with your mates is always special.

“We have improved every week and we have worked hard towards this. We took our chances and our defence was rock solid.”

Aussie coach Tim Sheens talked up his team’s defence.

Sheens met up again ahead of the final with Wigan legend Bill Ashurst – they played together at Penrith.

Forget back-rower Bill Williams, Sheens told Ashurst he simply wanted his Aussie team to play how big Bill played – direct and destructive.

Sheens always marvelled at Ashurst’s bravery and power play and Australia had a team of Ashursts on Saturday.

Showman Williams, meanwhile, flopped.

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney admitted: “We needed a lot of things to go our way and they didn’t. We just could not match Australia.”

So that’s it folks, the 10th World Cup has arguably been the best ever. Great crowds, great tries and great players.

Australia last conceded a try when Wigan’s Josh Charnley scored against them in the opening group game in Cardiff.

England skipper Kevin Sinfield constantly talked of wanting another crack at the Aussies – but it wasn’t to be.

He played his socks off against the Kiwis at Wembley and had his best-ever game at international level.

Unfortunately, his late slip and the penalty conceded by young George Burgess proved England’s undoing.

It meant New Zealand went to Old Trafford. They left battered and bruised following another Aussie masterclass.

Now,  it’s time to sort out Super League.

It’s over to Nigel Wood who could be in for another busy Christmas. This time last year, he was trying to persuade Koukash to invest in Salford.

Maybe he needs to listen to Marwan again.

Neil Barker: End of World Cup marks start of Super League battle