Lindsay answers critics

Maurice Lindsay, the chief executive of Rugby League, has insisted that the World Club Championship has been a success despite the destruction of European dreams on the field and of financial hopes off it.

Lindsay, also chairman of the Super League International Board, responded to criticism of the tournament and claimed the northern hemisphere clubs would improve significantly as a result. "People who knew anything about rugby league always expected that the Australasian clubs would probably achieve more than their European counterparts," he said, "but I recognise that the full extent of that advantage has surprised a great many people even within the game.

"Yet the World Club Championship will prove the vehicle for European clubs to launch their recovery programme."