Rugby Union: RUGBY UNION IN CRISIS; IS THIS THE WORLD'S WORST- RUN SPORT? The Unprofessionals When Peter Deakin arrived at Saracens from Bradford Bulls crowds quadrupled. Now Deakin, the most successful marketing boss union has ever seen, is returning to rugby league to take over at Warrington. Here he gives his verdict on the state of rugby union

• Published in: The Observer (London)
• Main Author: Deakin, Peter
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: London (UK) Guardian News & Media Limited 24.01.1999
• ISSN: 0029-7712

IS RUGBY UNION the worst run sport in the world? I don't know, but what you have got is a terrible conflict. On one side there are the defenders of the amateur ethos, the Billy Bunter types who have been in the game forever and have mainly got where they are through politicking. On the other side you've got successful businessmen, entrepreneurs, guys who like to see things done, make things happen. The people who run the game at the highest level, in the International Rugby Board, the Five Nations committee, have completely lost the plot. While the internationals stir up a wonderful aura for the game, ultimately it's the clubs who deliver. Soccer's got that bit of it right; I know there is still a bit of infighting, internationals versus clubs, but it has just about got it right. Those people who are shouting for England are still buying season tickets for Manchester United and Arsenal. One of the reasons I'm going back to rugby league is that they have always thought that way. League is a more together sport. When I went to live in America for five years, I changed my outlook about the two codes. I've never had a chip on my shoulder, never been envious and I've always admired union. The only thing I hated was the bigotry. I hate those Billy Bunter types, always will. But, while I've been away, I've realised that league now has not got to compete with union or soccer, but be different. It's got to be an alternative product.