NRL super coach Wayne Bennett questions NRL chief executive’s position on Western Clydesdales

NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett has joined a growing chorus of powerbrokers, including Nationals leader David Littleproud, to question NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo’s Western Clydesdales stance.

NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett has joined a growing chorus of powerbrokers questioning NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo’s withering take down of the Western Clydesdales.

Queensland Rugby League has been left holding the ‘funding bag’ after a leaked email revealed the Australian Rugby League Commission did not believe the Clydesdales Hostplus Cup involvement was in “the best interests of the game as a whole”.

“The ARLC, as you are aware, has not approved the participation of the Western Clydesdales in the QRL Hostplus Cup and does not consider that such participation is in the best interests of the game as a whole,” Abdo said in a recent email to the Queensland Rugby League.

In response, the Dolphins boss said Abdo’s recent comments about the Clydesdales “defy logic”.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Getty Images

Bennett said the Darling Downs and South West Queensland regions were key to the continued success of the NRL and the Clydesdales are vital part of the player development pathway.

“Where do they think (NRL) players are coming from,” Bennett said.

“The region from Warwick to Roma and every where in between has and will continue to be a crucial breeding ground for NRL talent.

“Just look at the players that have come from the region in the past, they’re among the best in the game.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud slammed officials from the ARLC, claiming they were more interested in “walking the red carpet” following the governing body’s decision to withdraw its support of the Western Clydesdales.

Littleproud said the decision and the comments were proof that ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo were “out of touch” with the game.

“Peter V’Landys is happy to swan around with the US President and the King, but this shows just how out of touch he’s become with the grassroots game,” Littleproud said.

Leader of the National Party David Littleproud.

“Without grassroots country rugby league, there won’t be a game.

“Some of league’s greatest players have come through western Queensland, names like Darren Lockyer, Arthur Beetson, Dale Shearer, Willie Carne, Kurt Capewell, Adrian Vowles, Brent Tate, Ethan Lowe, Matt Sing, Steve Price, Wally Fullerton-Smith and it is shameful that this is how they think they can treat the nursery of Australia’s player powerhouse.”

Littleproud said he feared the decision could undo the great work being done at the junior level with the NRL recently announcing a 14 per cent rise in junior participation numbers in 2022.

“This is a recipe for sending the game down the same road as rugby union,” he said.

“I implore the ARLC to review its stance and appreciate how important the game of rugby league is to people in western Queensland.”

Abdo’s comments rocked the Western Clydesdales board and its community of supporters, but the club has vowed to fight for its cause alongside the QRL.

It’s understood the ARLC’s withdrawal of support will lead to a funding “shortfall” for the QRL.

“In a nutshell, it means the QRL is going to continue to fund us, but they’re not being funded by the ARLC as part of the overall funding that comes down from the ARLC for the Western Clydesdales’ participation in any competition,” Western Clydesdales chief executive Shane Sullivan said.