IMG and World Cup should create superstars insists rugby league legend
Rugby league legend Martin Offiah believes the upcoming World Cup and IMG’s new partnership with the sport should create household superstars.
England open the tournament in just seven days at Newcastle’s St James’ Park against a strong Samoa side, led by head coach Matt Parish.
Shaun Wane’s side got their preparations off to a flier with a 50-0 victory over Fiji on Friday night at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium.
18 different towns and cities from across England will play host to some of the biggest names in rugby league during the World Cup, with 32 competing teams.
Meanwhile, global organisation IMG has begun a 12-year strategic partnership with rugby league and has already shared its initial proposals to help grow the game.
Offiah, one of rugby league’s all-time greats, believes both can help create superstars that will help boost the profile of the sport.
Martin Offiah: Winning the World Cup will create new superstars
“A big media company like IMG has the track record of creating superstars,” Offiah told Love Rugby League.
“I think if we can do well in this Rugby League World Cup, that would create an instant superstar.
“Somebody that can go the length of the field or create a performance on the world stage against Australia, New Zealand or one of the other southern hemisphere teams and win a World Cup final.
“We’ve seen it now with the Lionesses and they’ve become household names now and women’s sport is becoming such a big factor in the market.
“I 100% believe if England win this World Cup, we’ll automatically create new superstars.”
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