Nadine Dorries has said her rugby league gaffe at a World Cup event last week has helped boost attention for the sport. The Culture Secretary was invited to sample rugby league first hand after confusing the 13-man game with the rival union code.
She stunned a rugby league audience in St Helens by referring to Jonny Wilkinson’s match-winning drop goal for England in the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup final in Sydney.
That prompted ridicule and criticism from rugby league fans. MORE: 10 rugby league drop goals Nadine Dorries may have missed since 2003 Dorries joked “You are welcome” after telling MPs on Thursday that officials from the sport had informed her the game has “never had so much publicity”. Video: Henderson on England's World Cup (LoveRugbyLeague) Tony Smith leaves Hull KR with immediate effect John Kear on World Cup James Graham discusses St Helens' chances in the NRL Craig Lingard on promotion fight Jamie Soward backs Kristian Woolf for NRL job Two divisions of 14? 'We need to know now' Lingard on Super League jobs Making a statement on her departmental responsibilities in the Commons during departmental questions, Dorries said: “In the last few weeks, we have seen huge crowds at Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, Glastonbury, Silverstone and Wimbledon. “The women’s Euros kicked off last night and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games are on their way.
It’s set to be a great British summer of culture and sport. “Speaking of sport, last week I was lucky enough to attend an event celebrating the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.