Rugby: Offiah try claim clarified
The Rugby Football League have moved to react to comments by legendary forward Martin Offiah that the RFL are refusing to acknowledge his record feat in scoring over 500 tries at club level.
Offiah has been miffed in recent weeks that tries he scored while playing in Australia have not been included.
RFL statistician Raymond Fletcher said: "All records I compile on behalf of the RFL refer only to British club and representative matches.
"This gives Martin Offiah's total as 476.
"I have no objections to Martin Offiah including the 20 tries he scored in Australian club rugby in his world figures.
"But I - and nobody I know - has compiled world records over the years, an almost impossible task.
"These would have to include scores in the ever-expanding games played in the South Pacific, Russia etc.
"For all I know some Papua New Guinea player may have scored 500 tries.
"Martin could also find himself slipping down the world rankings if the several great Australians who have played in this country included the many tries they scored back home.
"Lionel Cooper, for instance, scored 441 tries in British club and representative rugby league from 1947 to 1955 while with Huddersfield.
"But his world figures would include many more scored in Australian club rugby and representative matches for New South Wales and Australia.
"I would congratulate Martin on reaching 500 tries in world Rugby League - a magnificent feat - but it is not in my official capacity to acclaim it in British records."
