John Quayle can save NRL from civil war, says legendary rugby league administrator Ken Arthurson

LEGENDARY rugby league administrator Ken Arthurson has backed the growing push to have John Quayle take over from John Grant as chairman of the ARL Commission.

Ken Arthurson and John Quayle were in charge of the ARL when the Super League War broke out in 1995.

LEGENDARY rugby league administrator Ken Arthurson has backed the growing push to have John Quayle take over from John Grant as chairman of the ARL Commission.

Together Arthurson and Quayle were in charge of the ARL when the Super League War broke out in 1995.

With the game now on the brink of another civil war, Arthurson has told The Daily Telegraph Quayle’s experience and honour would make him the perfect man to deliver peace again.

“If it was up to me there would be no question. I would certainly be supporting John Quayle,” Arthurson said.

“I said from the word go, when the Commission was first established, they were crazy if they didn’t put John Quayle on it.

“I couldn’t speak too highly of John Quayle.

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Ken Arthurson and John Quayle were in charge of the ARL when the Super League War broke out in 1995.

“Apart from the fact that I regard him as a very, very good administrator and a man who has a terrific knowledge of the game of rugby league, his loyalty to me during the time he was chief executive and I was chairman was just outstanding.”

NRL clubs have the numbers to remove Grant under the current constitution and he is expected to be axed before Christmas.

While Grant is digging his heels in to stay, Arthurson said he could understand the clubs’ disappointment and anger after the Commission reneged on the funding agreement to provide 130 per cent of the salary cap from 2018.

“To be a good witness, I don’t know too much about John Grant or his administrator abilities,” Arthurson said.

“But I do know this, you are looking for trouble if you make a promise and then break it.

“Particularly one that is affecting the clubs so much.

“Some of the administrators ring me up and generally the information I get from those blokes is that they all want to get rid of John Grant.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant is feeling the heat. Picture: Steve Holland

“They tell me they have the numbers.

“I don’t know if they have or not but that is what I have been told.

“I worked with John Quayle for a lot of years and I will tell you this about Quayle; once you point him in the right direction, by Jesus he is like a terrier.

“He just keeps going.

“I couldn’t think of anyone more suitable.”

Arthurson said it was also time for the NRL to show more respect to the grassroots and tireless workers in country regions.

“I was very disappointed that they wiped the City-Country game,” Arthurson said.

“They say the game doesn’t mean much but Jesus it does mean a lot to country people.

“Some of those poor bloody blokes in the country are working all for nothing. They are painting lines and mowing lawns and getting food prepared and helping to raise money to get gear for players and kids.

“Surely they are entitled to a little bit back.”

Originally published as John Quayle can save NRL from civil war, says legendary rugby league administrator Ken Arthurson