EXCLUSIVE - Super League reaches for the stars

Following the success of Castleford Tigers in attracting widespread publicity by giving a month's trial to Dwain Chambers, the Blog can reveal that the RFL has succeeded in attracting a host of other stars - not all of them sportsmen - to try out in Super League and boost the competition's profile. As part of the new licencing system, successful Super League applicants next year are being allocated a star each. New rules will stipulate that the stars must play in a minimum of two matches per season, including Millennium Magic, which from next year will be called Celebrity Millennium Magic.

The stars will have to fulfil minimum fitness requirements and play off the interchange bench, but provided they can pass, catch and run, there will be an onus on Super League coaches to play them for a minimum of half-an-hour in matches. The impact on overall performance is seen as being comfortably outweighed by the extra publicity that will be generated.

The League has used the NFL draft pick system to allocate the stars. Wakefield have got the cream of the crop in Greg Rusedski, the former tennis player whose mother hails from Dewsbury and intimate knowledge of Heavy Woollen derbies should prepare him well for league's physical aspect. Huddersfield have also struck it rich in getting Gordon Ramsay, a former footballer who knows how to handle himself but will have to learn to curb his tongue when it comes to referees.

Champions Leeds, on the other, had the worst of the picks - a dubious double signing of Paul Daniels and his wife Debbie. St Helens were happier with Wayne Sleep, who they see as a nimble-footed wing, while Warrington are working out just how best to utilise the skills of Christopher Biggins.

Hull KR have signed up their club president John Prescott to muscle up in the front row, Bradford lad Gareth Gates will join the Bulls, but Catalans Dragons' late bid to entice the French President's wife came to nothing. Instead, they have had to settle for the somewhat lumbering figure of Gerard Depardieu.

Keith Chegwin is headlining the Millennium Magic pre-match entertainment this year but next year will be in Cardiff as a chunky Harlequins half back. Rumours that Wigan had snapped up Lulu proved wide of the mark - they'll have socialite Lady Victoria Hervey as a wide-running second-rower.

League spokesperson Avril Olof told the Blog: "Castleford have set the standard with Dwain Chambers. Super League is about being innovative, so we hatched this plan and the stars have jumped at the idea. The cult of celebrity can drive Super League forward. Ok! and Hello! magazines are expecting to give a lot of coverage to Super League. We've only gone for A listers. Jade Goody and some bloke from Hear'Say were keen, but we're only interested in genuine quality."

Comments

[Phil M]

Haha, love it Chris! Chambers for Oz 2008....no really.

[Phil M]

Haha, love it Chris! Chambers for Oz 2008....no really.

[Wide_to_west]

I would hope that SAINTS would get Jeremy Clarkson or Ann Widdecomb.

A bit of leadership in the pack.

I mean Clarkson would invent a new rule, that he is allowed to drive arounf in a hi-lux or something. As for Ann, imagine that greeting you at the scrum. Grrrrrrr.

[mawlcum]

I fink its a grate ideya i liyke powl danyels he is grate mi giwlfwend twacee sez can e magic er a new chest or a shower wit teem i dunt now why as ower shower works awright shes a funnee one int she
luv mawlculm

[Mr Boring]

As a semi pro myself... has paul daniels got an ace up his sleeve in playing debbie on the wing opposite dwayne chambers will she make him dissapear! not hard actually just shout at him and he will get upset and run off!

[Tone H]

Gareth Gates for Bradford? That will be another stuttering start to the season, then.
Sorry.

[Stephen Martin]

Poor Widnes. As a condition of their licence, they had to agree to take Jonny Wilkinson.

[Dave]

I'd be careful Chris things like this have a nasty habit of coming true.

Gave me a good laugh.

[Jon Smalldon]

We get bloody Cheggers?

He better keep his pastel-quartered kit on.

*insert tackle joke here*

[job]

if league wants stars why doesn't it do what it use to and pinch them from union? I mean how crap is league if Chambers is the biggest and most recogniseable name in the sport.

[Mark Farrar]

I now think this idea is silly. Far better for the BBC to run a celebrity "I'd tackle anything" tv talent show. Up for grabs is a season with Hull Kingston Rovers. We could weeks of prime tv with the celebs being coached by Nobby, practising tackling with Peacock, going to the betting shop with Longy.....

[Mark Farrar]

Celebrity Millenium Magic should be fantastic this year. Is it true that Stephen Jones (I know - not really a celebrity..but he wants to be!) will be playing for Leeds? I can't wait to see Burgess crumple him in a tackle.
The prospect of this alone could double the gate.

[Homer]

Nice one Chris :-) Shame a few of our followers have kinda missed the point and the date..........

[Paul Daniels]

You'll like to see me inside Keith Senior, not a lot.

[David 'Snuggs' Newton]

As a semi professional rugby player for Rochdale. I for one would endorse the chance the play alongside & shower with H from steps! Good work RFL!

[David Newton]

Being a semi pro rugby league man myself, I think that an innovative idea such as this will only benefit Rugby League as an institution in both the short and long term. For too long we have had to take a backseat to football, but no more, I think this is a winner and a proud day for me. The rest of the team will be able to carry the celebs, I have no fears about that, easy. I would love to chill with Paul Daniels and meet his wife too.

[Kat Saints Lover]

Thanks Chris - really gave me a chuckle this morning, brigthening up another dull day in the office! I reckon Bonnie langford would be up for the challenge she's done just about everything else!!

[Mark Worth]

I think it is an absolute farce. Having once appeared alongside some of my heroes at wigan on Ch4's the Big Breakfast, this idea by the RFL smacks of a short lived and short sighted publicity stunt

[Wigan Warrior]

Shame on the League for this plan, what are they thinking of, we'll be reduced to even ,ore of a laughing stock after Dwayne Chambers move to Castleford.

[Dangermouse]

Bombshell news and quite a scoop for this blog which appears to be leading the way in rugby league coverage.

[copa]

What next... the Gladiator himself will take part in a 7s tournament in Australia and then buy an NRL club?

[Matt Hawksworth]

Not sure what's funnier, the article itself or the fact some have beleived it's true.

I wish it was mind, it might stop my team looking like a laughing stock in isolation

[Craig]

Chris, very upset that you got hold of this press release before we had chance to send it out!

[Big Graeme]

Very very clever, thanks for the chuckle

[Mark Fullilove]

It's not true. It's an April Fools.