Coaches should be listened to on changes, says Betts

Widnes coach Denis Betts has backed Tony Smith’s comments on the re-structuring of Super League, and says the decision makers need to start listening to coaches and people closer to the game.

There has been much debate over the proposed changes, since the RFL announced three different options for the future of the game for 2015 and beyond.

Warrington coach Smith hit out at the plans at a recent press conference, saying he was “over the innovative tag” and wanted stability.

The option that has received the most coverage would see two Super Leagues of 12, split in to three leagues of eight after 11 games, and the end of the licensing system, which saw Widnes elevated to the top flight ahead of the 2012 season.

Vikings coach Betts said: “I think the consensus is people need to start listening to coaches and need to start listening to people closer to the game. Some of the changes are just stupid really. 

“I’d have to totally agree with what Tony Smith has said, it’s what everybody thinks. 

“I think you need to have a real look closely at what we’re proposing with regards to one) salary cap, two) number of teams and three) how you actually sell the game in the format that’s being proposed. 

“It smacks of we don’t really know what to do. 

“If you’ve got an idea and you want to move the game in that direction then do that but don’t put out four or five different options that you think is possibly going to help us. 

“I don’t think there’s much wrong with what we’re doing now but I do think that ultimately licensing is the right way. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with licensing, I think it’s more to do with the organisation of that licensing that’s falling down quite drastically. 

“We can’t compare ourselves with other sports. I think people try to compare ourselves to football because they want excitement, we compare ourselves to other sports that have promotion and relegation like rugby union and basically union have a licensing system where if you don’t fit a certain criteria, you don’t come in, even if you finish top of the league below. I think that’s something that needs to be looked at if they’re actually going to look at doing it on a yearly basis.”