O'Neill slams Gallop's nursery claim as a 'load of rubbish'

O'Neill slams Gallop's nursery claim as a 'load of rubbish'
BY DANIEL MACDONALD
RUGBY UNION
14/07/2008 12:00:00 AM

ARU boss John O'Neill has returned fire in a war of words with rugby league counterpart David Gallop, slamming claims the NRL was a nursery for rugby union.
NRL boss Gallop suggested at the weekend that the inclusion of league converts Timana Tahu and Ryan Cross in Wallabies squads proved league was Australia's top rugby code.

''That is a complete load of rubbish,'' O'Neill said. ''It's a gross hypocrisy.''

In Canberra yesterday watching the next generation of union talent at the Australian schoolboy titles, O'Neill said he was outraged and surprised by Gallop's comments.

''David Gallop's a good friend of mine and it is very uncharacteristic for him to come out with that kind of serve,'' O'Neill said.

''Rugby [union] has only really been professional since 1995 and since Dally Messenger's day league has raided union's ranks.

''I am really disappointed that David has brought up an old chestnut.''

Rugby league is currently under increasing pressure, facing issues like dwindling crowd figures, salary cap demands and the defection of several star players from the code.

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