AT least two Australian Rugby League clubs are set to defect to the Super League following the rebel code's stunning court victory in Sydney on Friday. The game in Australia is again in a state of chaos, with the likelihood of two rival competitions, in the wake of the Federal Court's decision to uphold the Super League appeal. And it now seems likely that several battling ARL clubs, headed by St George and Newcastle, will move to the Super League to ease their financial woes. After being banned from competing until at least the year 2000 in the original court ruling in March, the Super League's victory was a major coup for News Limited and its chairman, Rupert Murdoch. 'Our company has a history of successfully challenging entrenched monopolies and shaking up complacent competitors,' Murdoch said. 'Discontent with the previous administration of the game provided the very circumstances in which Super League could be created and I am confident it will now flourish.' Sydney City chief executive Bernie Gurr summed up the feeling of the ARL loyal clubs when he said: 'We are shocked and saddened. And we can't understand how a scoreline of 100 to nil in our favour can suddenly be reversed to 100-nil their way. 'What does this say about the legal system?' The court ruling was a devastating blow to the ARL and its popular leader, veteran administrator Ken Arthurson. 'I've seen better days,' a bitter Arthurson said. 'But there is still plenty of fight in us, let me assure your of that. 'We have the better players and the better competition and will still have a successfully year in 1997.' The ARL will now take its case to the High Court, but won't get a hearing for several months, meaning that Super League is guaranteed to kick off next March. St George and Newcastle remain in the ARL fold for now, but are rumoured to be considering switching camps, with a hefty financial inducement awaiting them should they join the rebels.
