What will be Nigel Wood’s legacy?

Correspondent

Twenty years from now, how will Nigel Wood be judged?

As one of two men who battled to resurrect the RFL’s finances at the turn of the century and then delivered 10 consecutive years of pre-tax profit?

As one of three men who delighted fans by driving forward the efforts to reintroduce promotion and relegation just two cycles into licensing?

Or will there be a less sympathetic view?

The next six months are likely to go a long way in determining Wood’s legacy.

There are two major events heading our way, with the decision on which 12-team structure is adopted from 2015 being quickly followed by the World Cup.

Make a success of those two – and admittedly it will take years to be able to pass judgment on the first – and Wood will be privately delighted.

Leading the RFL is one of the most political positions in British sport. Like all politicians, Wood will be aware of his hits – as well as his misses.

There are plenty of other initiatives that are believed to emanate from Wood’s office: club call, the Magic Weekend, bonus points in the Championship and Salford’s introduction to Marwan Koukash are among some of the more obvious.

But the coming weeks and months will make a huge contribution to how Wood is viewed in the long term.

What’s your verdict?

Brilliant news coming out of Australia, where George and Tom Burgess have both signed extended contracts with South Sydney Rabbitohs.

George, along with older brother Sam, is now committed to the club until the end of 2016.

Tom and Luke will be hopping around Down Under until the end of 2015 at the earliest.

Watching George against Gold Coast Titans last week, the commentators produced a frightening statistic: the Rabbitohs have scored 13 times this year directly from a quick play-the-ball achieved by George’s dominance when being tackled.

It’s little more than a year since George made his first grade debut, but he must now be one of the first names on Steve McNamara’s team-sheet for the World Cup.

George and Tom are still only 21 – they’re going to be some players when they grow up.

There’s also a fantastic achievement closer to home, with Kevin Sinfield set to make his 500th career appearance when Leeds play London on Thursday night.

In rugby league terms, 500 games is an incredible feat – whatever level you play at.

For Sinfield to have been at the top of British rugby league for so long says much about his preparation and commitment.

Let’s just hope he’s still smiling come November 30.

Got any thoughts? Leave them in the comment box below.

Follow Neil Barraclough on Twitter @neilbarraclough