Campese backs Magic Weekend concept for NRL
Hull KR skipper Terry Campese feels that the Magic Weekend concept could work in the NRL, despite the geographical size of Australia.
Campese’s Robins team face their local rivals Hull FC on Saturday at St James’ Park, and the Italian internatinal is relishing the chance to play in a part of the UK that is not traditionally associated with rugby league.
“I think they could either have it Sydney one year and Brisbane the next,” he told Love Rugby League.
“Or they can do what Super League‘s doing now and get it out somewhere else where it’s not the number one sport and grow the game.
“I think it’s great that we’re going up to Newcastle this year. I know from talking to all the other Super League captains that they’re excited to play there too.
“It’s going to be a great weekend, and one I’m looking forward to.”
With ticket sales for the event going well, Campese is expecting a tight encounter in front of a big crowd.
The closeness of the two Hull sides in the Super League table adds some additional spice, too.
“Looking at the ticket sales for Saturday, I thnk they’re near a record,” he added.
“So it’s exciting to be invlolved in a record-breaking weekend as well, and there’s no better time for playing against your rivals.
“It’ll be massive game. We’re both sitting on 12 points in the table, just outside that eight, so it’s going to be a big game for both teams, and one that we’re desperate to win, to keep in touch with that top eight.
“You don’t want to be losing games now going into the back end of the year. By that round 23 cut-off, we want to be in that top eight and be comfortable too.”
St James’ Park is, of course, the home of Newcastle United FC. Campese, a new Hull City fan, has been paying close attention to the Premier League fortunes of the Magpies in recent weeks.
“Over the last month, they’ve been in the press a fair bit, so I’ve been following that,” he said.
“Obviously, living in Hull now, I was cheering on Hull City last weekend!
“I was watching the games quite closely, and they played some good football at the weekend, and I guess they deserve their spot back in the Premier League.
“The way that Super League is at the moment, with promotion and relegation, it would be good to get a team in from up here competing with the top Championship teams.
“It would be good to expand rugby league up here. The M62 is where all the teams are located, so it would be good to have a Super League team from London and a team from up here to expand Super League.”