The Super League-ARL war will mark its 20th anniversary this coming Wednesday

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The Super League-ARL war will mark its 20th anniversary this coming Wednesday DEAN RITCHIE THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MARCH 27, 2015 12:00AM IT exploded on April fool’s Day. But this was no joke. Revolutionary, ugly, unprecedented and heavily corporate, the Super League-ARL war will, unbelievably, mark its 20th anniversary this coming Wednesday. The gaping wounds have well and truly healed, some small scars though will forever remain. On April 1, 1995, Super League’s infamous raid on players began. It was to become the most tumultuous time in rugby league history. Two of Australia’s richest men — Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer — in a fight to the death for rugby league. Key players in the Super League battle recalled the drama and conflict. “I remember a lot of confusion and it certainly turned the game on its head,” said former Super League chief executive John Ribot. “It was a difficult period for rugby league but if look at many other sports, they all went thought it. You have these problems when you try and grow your game. “Where we are now, with the TV rights deal and where the game is heading, it is in much better shape. I am confident the game is about to have its time in the sun and become the number one winter sport in Australia. Everything we did in Super League wasn’t perfect, everything they (ARL) did wasn’t perfect either.” Brisbane, Canberra, Cronulla, Canterbury, Penrith, North Queensland and Auckland jumped to Murdoch’s rebel league. Balmain, Gold Coast, Illawarra, Manly, Newcastle, Norths, Parramatta, South Queensland, Souths, St George, Sydney City and Wests stayed loyal. “It was a tumultuous time for a lot of people, everybody in the game from volunteers to the highest paid players and officials,” said Bob Fulton, who supported the ARL. “Two of Australia’s wealthiest families fighting over rugby league. “And at the coalface, ‘Gus’ (ARL sympathiser Phil Gould) and I would regularly say how exciting it was to be involved in it and how it would be remembered for a long time. “It shows how much money was around then. When you look at the amounts being paid back then, it is only now the top players are reaching those amounts.” Canberra superstar Laurie Daley became the unofficial face of Super League, Brad Fittler the ARL’s poster boy. “At the time, I guess I didn’t know quite the impact Super League would have on the game,” Daley said. “Obviously it was massive. There was a lot of damage done to rugby league. Everyone at the time did what they thought best for themselves, their families and clubs.” Asked would he have done anything differently, Daley said: “Of course, we all would like to changes things in hindsight. But it was a time where no-one actually knew what the outcome was going to be. “Super League had some great ideas which are still being used today. The game has, over time, healed but I will always understand that some people will remain hurt and affected.” Fittler added: “It hurt the game severely. I only say that because I know how awkward it was going into rep teams (when ARL and Super League players when picked). “I was guided by people I trust. And I was only 23 years old. But I was happy with my decision. I don’t have any regrets.” After just one season of parallel competitions, with crowds down and interest in the game waning, the two competitions merged in 1998 to form the NRL.

The Super League-ARL war will mark its 20th anniversary this coming Wednesday