Luxembourger

Interesting update on companies house. David Hughes director appointment terminated, seemingly replaced by Mike Eccles and Jason Loubser. On the “persons with significant control” an interim notification has been posted saying “The company has not yet completed taking reasonable steps to find out if there is anyone who is a registrable person or a registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company” https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/05322378/filing-history

An actual franchise, if and when an increase from 20 teams is considered

Other than PNG (and I suppose the US in the long term) what’s the likelihood of expansion by the NRL into new territories in the next 20 years or so? Would the likes of Singapore or Japan be a possibility? Presumably the Philippines would be out of the question without significant government support?

Play it at Wembley the day after the CC final, lunchtime kick-off would be prime time down under. Joint RFL/NRL marketing could mean both matches benefit. Might be able to get 50k for the SoO?

Grant was questioned on the “commensurate levels of support” comment and posted this in follow-up: James Parrish reference to not commensurate levels of support wasn’t crowd related, lessons are offfield promotion managing significant costs tour specific etc, Reference wasn’t a criticism it’s acknowledged lessons for regular south to north tours in the future. Plenty of lessons and improvements for Pacific Championships as well one not better then the other it’s a start and more maturing and refinement to come. ‘25 will be massive with England tour while Pacific Champs also on NZ V TONGA V SAMOA ERL working on complimentary Euro comp when England host tours as well.

How about bringing Lebanon over for one game - make this part of a England men’s, women’s and wheelchair triple header at Leeds (maybe get the NRL/Aus govt to pay for PNG women to come as well, would make the women’s match more appealing). The men then fly down under to play PNG on their blank weekend in the pacific bowl, and then the following week play the 3rd placed team in the pacific champs as part of a double header with the final (at Eden Park). Could be attractive for the NRL - it fills out the TV schedule a bit and gives England a little exposure down under before the ashes tour

How about a NH 3/4 nations, Eng, France, Lebanon, maybe Wales, with no final - the league leader then flying straight down under to face the pacific league leader? It will likely mean NH winner has games in NH one weekend and SH the next - but that could be mitigated if final was in Perth perhaps? The added context it would give the NH games would be huge