Ian Millward: Super League expansion talk premature
Ian Millward says that the Super League must look after what it has before considering expansion.
Reports in the Yorkshire Post last week suggested that Wakefield could sell their franchise, perhaps to suitors as close as Coventry, or as far as Dublin, Toulouse, even Toronto.
Wildcats chairman Michael Carter dismissed such speculation but Super League general manager Mark Foster has reiterated that clubs may be allowed to effectively move, if it's deemed to be for the good of the sport.
Former Super League coach Millward argues that Super League needs to stabilise its current produce before thinking further afield.
"I'm not a big advocate of taking clubs to another area," he told sportinglife.com.
"We're all dealing on the gridiron theory - supply and demand - but there's not a demand for rugby league in other areas at the moment.
"We have to strengthen where we are."
Millward, who currently coaches in his native Australia at St George Illawara Dragons, believes rugby league remains a long way from expanding across England.
"To go to another area, you need massive subsidy money, a long-term vision - the sport just isn't ready for that in England.
"It should be all about trying to strengthen the current areas.
"If you're going to move, Cumbria and Coventry may be good fits but it's just too soon.
"If they do it now, it'll be short-term and short-lived."
