Luke Keary asked to explain his ‘near unwatchable’ rugby league claims
LUKE Keary is believed to have been ordered to explain his comments after branding rugby league ‘horrendous’ and ‘near unwatchable.’
Catalans’ Aussie half-back complained to media in his homeland about the state of the sport in the northern hemisphere.
Now he is understood to have been told by the 13-a-side code’s chiefs to clarify what he said as a disrepute charge hangs over his head.
As talk of an NRL buy-in – although nothing official is on the table yet – grows, the 33-year-old said ‘they’re in a lot of trouble’ if it does not happen, adding: “The game is horrendous over here.
“”It’s the product, the coverage, the news around the game, there is zero.
“You watch the games, they’re near unwatchable.”
Keary refused to clarify his comments when approached at Magic Weekend, where he scored a try in Catalans’ 26-24 loss to Leigh.
Now SunSport understands the Rugby Football League has demanded an explanation by writing to him and his club.
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Rugby League Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones, countered Keary’s statements, saying: “Our figures are showing that we’re having a very positive season. Our attendances are up, our TV audience, both across Sky Sports and BBC, is up.
“Luke has played at the top of the game in Australia and the game in Australia is very much akin to the Premier League over here.
“We can do a lot of things that can convince him that he’s been a little over-dramatic in his comments.”
When asked by SunSport if Keary will be spoken to, Catalans coach Steve McNamara defended his player.
He said: “It’s a really long interview which he’s done.
“How he’s said it and how it’s come across, quite clearly it’s in an aggressive manner there.
“But you all want people to say things, to not sit on the fence all the time.
“Someone’s come and done that. He’s a three-time NRL Grand Final winner, he loves the game and wants the game to be like that across the Northern Hemisphere.
“He’s allowed to express his opinion. I agree with some of the things, there’s a debate to be had on some of the other things.”