My only gripe and i guess it's not just his role alone is the Crusaders fiasco then failing to give Wakey the same support in terms of "not ring-fencing their squad when the Giants picked it off".

I also don't think as an organisation they have the nadgers to hit cheats hard ala Gallop in the NRL and it happened on his watch i.e the SC breaches.

the Stobart deal was/is confusing and i still disagree with the "tragic weekend" ,CC moving to August and the hiring of one of the worst and most inconsistant officials to over-see that side of the game.

I would also mlike a complete over-haul of the disciplinary system where the punishments fit the crime but i don't think the last 2 points are solely down to Lewis.

Didn't realise he'd been at Wigan so long.

It's correct to say that Lewis is now the Chairman of the RFL but my recollection is that he was originally appointed as CEO.

When he was appointed the Chair of Sport England (part-time) 3 years ago I think he then became Chairman & Nigel Wood was appointed CEO.

I wonder if Sir Clive Woodward fancies the job?





I'm not well enough connected to know if there are any strong candiates within the RL world but with all the parochialism & self-interest I think another external appointment might well be the best for our game.

Just out of interest, did he appoint McNamara? That's a black mark against him.

Nobody will believe me because I still hardly believe it...



BUT...



About couple of years ago I spotted him kitted out in requisite gear jogging around the lake at Roundhay Park!

I agree with G1 - be very very careful wishing for a change. Lewis has overseen a very difficult period for RL in England. There have been mistakes, but financially things are miles better than when he took over. Ian Laybourn's column on sporting-life is a pretty good summary of his record.

I'd like to know how much of the RFL's financial improvement during Lewis's tenure is down to insisting on playing sundry international fixtures almost exclusively on home territory? It's not as if the national side have toured down under that often. In fact they are reluctant to do so without financial guarantees, hence why they turned down the opportunity to face the Kiwis in a test series in NZ at the end of this season and then p[ii[/issed and moaned (Nigel Wood did anyway) because the Aussies and Kiwis wouldn't come to the UK in 2012. Of course it doesn't help that the national side aren't a huge draw card down under due to their lack of competitiveness on the international stage, hence the financial implications of touring.



A big thank you to Australia and NZ is perhaps in order for their willingness to bail out the RFL by touring here so frequently over the past decade and throughout the SL era?

So Lewis has been eminently sensible, given those constraints?

In terms of short-term profitability, yes... in terms of international profile and longer-term credibility, no. The policy relies upon the ongoing goodwill of others (Aus & NZ) constantly making tours to the UK but that can change and has done so in 2012. We are now left with a bare international cupboard this year unless you count a 2-match series against Exilia? There will be no home series in 2014 either.



It is to be hoped the World Cup in 2013 is a success because if it isn't and loses money, the RFL may well struggle to balance their own books again. My gut feeling is that Lewis has gone at exactly the right time, and before the next failing SL franchise club announces it's going bust.

Lewis has been good for RL - he gave it some credibility to the outside world. My concern would now - without Lewis the RFL looks like its top positions are filled with failures - CEO Nigel Wood saw Halifax into near collapse and Ralf Rimmer hardly pulled up any trees at Huddersfield. Cummins has overseen a deterioration in standards etc.



Hopefully a new chairman can improve the quality at the top - somehow I think we will continue with a job for the boys with Kath Hetherington being the next boy in.

Can anyone see Gary Hetherington fancying this job? He has a great grounding in the game, can boast of running a successful business and franchise and has been a driving force behind things such as the salary cap.



WOuld he want it?



Would he get it?



How do you think he'd get on?



Could Kath replace him at Leeds? Ok now I'm being silly!

I was thinking the same actually!