Time to review salary cap says Smith

WARRINGTON boss Tony Smith says Rugby League’s hierarchy will have to review the salary cap limits imposed on clubs if they are to stop a player drain to Rugby Union.
While he admits that the salary cap has been good at “evening up the game” he believes the system needs to be reviewed quickly.
He was commenting following the decision by 21-year-old Kyle Eastmond to defect from St Helens to Bath Rugby Union on a three-year deal at the end of the current Super League season.
“Eastmond is a talented kid and I don’t like to see him leaving our competition,” said Smith.
“It has happened many times over the years in both directions and I am sure it will continue to do so. But we have got to be careful we don’t lose too many of our talented players. If we keep the salary cap where it is we are in danger of damaging our product.
“The other rugby code currently has more money in the game and we have got to do something to limit the damage,” added Smith.
Meanwhile he believes 14 clubs in Super League has weakened the sport and is frustrated that some of the weaker clubs don’t even reach the salary cap.
“I thought 12 teams was working fine. I am not saying it was the right 12 teams but it was the right amount. I think we have spread our talent too thinly across 14 clubs and this takes away from our product.
“We need to keep pace with other sports or they will catch up and we may get trodden on!”