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I don't think anyone thinks that. A credible competition (I'm not saying this isn't) should have the answers to basic questions. Initial press releases, videos filmed in gyms and social media graphics with loads of mistakes doesn't scream professional. I realise it's a fledgling league and things may well come together but they will need to get the basics right if they want people to have confidence in their product.

RL in a nutshell this. Team gets new ground - "put them in SL!" "Wakey and Cas, too close, stadiums rubbish" "What about Cumbria?" "Something about Paris or London" "Something about Sean O'Loughlin being dirty" Toronto.

Funding apart, it would make gaining official government recognition for RL in new territories so much easier, which has often been a problem for the sport.

RL 9s in the Olympics would be a massive boost for the game. It would encourage official sports recognition and state funding in a lot of countries. A truly global audience would get to see RL for the first time.

There, their, they're

Super League should definitely be the major league competition in Europe. Elite 1 & 2 and the Championship & League 1 could be strong lower leagues and feeder leagues for the SL. Clubs in France, Spain, Serbia and Ireland would be great for the sport in Europe. People talk about how the NRL should expand to the Pacific islands but SL should look at Europe

How do you think Union Sevens got so big so fast?

Interesting...

Every single post on this thread: Rugby League, like everything else in life, was the best when I was 16 to 25.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemeehallwood/2021/04/12/the-nrls-past-should-be-an-important-part-of-its-future/?sh=22db35d34ec4 Apologies if this has been done elsewhere. Interesting, and relevant to the UK if super league ever becomes an 'elite' league.

I was listening to the Valencia Hurricanes chairman on a podcast earlier and said the club still have ambitions to get into the English league. They asked if he thought Elite 1 might be better for Valencia, but he said for various reasons the English set up would be more suitable for them, mainly commercially as Elite 1 isn’t commercially strong enough. I’d love to see it myself, lots of cheap flights to that area, a popular holiday destination for an away trip, and already a number of amateur clubs in the region over the past few years. If they could do it and bring Spanish players through to the semi pro game it would be superb.

Given the lack of a joint plan with the RFL, the treatment of clubs who join The RFL and the history of clubs from expansion areas in our league system, I don’t know why anyone would want to join The RFL. If Valencia really think they’ll be different, good luck to them, it’s a great city.

By governments investing big money in the game. Rugby League had Russia before Union pulled that off and it killed it practically. Union Seven is now big in the USA, mega dollars there. Brazil girls were not started until then. Olympic Golds are Bread and Circus to a government.

How’s that going?.

It also coincided with the wreckers of World Rugby League coming into existence.

Rugby league is not a sport recognised by the IOC. Nor is any governing body recognised by the IOC. Rugby league is not a sport recognised by the GAISF. Nor is any governing body recognised by the GAISF. Unless and until anyone addresses that then rugby league in the Olympics is a fantasy.

The irony. How’s Ben Flower getting on?

I’m not sure this is the right move for RL but there is absolutely no doubt that countries prioritise minority sports that are in the olympics. I’m sure it would open up lots of new funding all around the world.

Probably didnt help that he moved mid-season and had to train with baby weights in a hotel for 14 days then thrown into RL action. Nobody commented on his body shape before then either, when he was a MOS contender and good performer at international level. I think it was difficult for him to transition and now he's had a preseason he's ready to go.

Well Eddie, I have to say I disagree. Almost every nation in the world takes part in the Olympic games. As a vehicle for developing participation in Rugby League it could be very influential (in my opinion). It's doubly important given that RaRa's slap happy version of touch football are in.

There’s loads of players who are “characters” or have interesting, sometimes even emotional backstories, we’re just woeful as a sport of giving/helping these players with a platform to show the other side of their lives.

https://www.intrl.sport/news/rugby-league-in-the-olympics/ Original article by Michael Caryannis in the Daily Telegraph (Sydney) - April 11 2021 Rugby league in the Olympics? How about matches played in India or the Middle East. Plus a World Cup in North America. These are the lofty ambitions of former NSW Police Minister Troy Grant who was appointed chairman of International Rugby League (IRL). The IRL are pressing ahead with plans to have this year’s World Cup go ahead in England. But in the background, Grant, who was part of the NRL’s Project Apollo team last year, has great ambition for the international game. “We want France to host the 2025 World Cup,” Grant said. “We’ve moved away from the traditional bidding process where we chased money and went to the highest bidder. We need to be strategic. The aim of 2025 is to rebuild France and make sure it becomes a competitive country. We need France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales to be as competitive as teams in the Pacific. We’re in deep work with the French government.” Grant wants to take the 2029 World Cup to North America. He also wants to push on with plans to expand the world nine’s circuit. Australia won the 2019 tournament at Bankwest Stadium and the NRL hold the rights of the 2023 version. However, Grant has big plans for the growth of the abbreviated format of the game. “We need to take nines into new markets,” Grant said. “Places like the Middle East, India and Asia. That’s where we need to explore. The international game is in for a major overhaul. “There should be the focus on using the nine’s format as our promotional vehicle for the game to increase participation and eye balls on the sport across the globe. Let’s see what our opportunities are in India or the Middle East. Locations that would really open the world up to rugby league and to what the nine’s format has to offer.” Grant also wants to lobby the International Olympic Committee to find a spot for nine’s. With Brisbane expected to host the 2032 Olympics, Grant wants a version of rugby league introduced at least as a demonstration sport. “We would be negligent if we didn’t push hard to have nines feature,” Grant said. “If we aren’t aiming big like that to really advance the sport then we are letting the code down.” Troy Grant has some bold plans for the game. The most pressing matter is finalising an international calendar which Grant expects to have done by the middle of the year. He has spent countless hours meeting with NRL clubs and other stakeholders. “There will be better transparency and a lot more consultation and communication,” Grant said. “The ARL Commission’s investment in the Pacific has been monumental. We need to replicate that in the northern hemisphere. For too long the IRL hasn’t had its act together. There was minimal to zero consultation between the IRL and vital stakeholders which has now changed. “It is a new day in that regard.”

Wonder how many players will be back for this one, I know one or two won't be back till the week after against Swinton, Riley should return hope O'Hagens fit to play, if so move Marsh to F.B. we need some forwards to return, thought Cuthbertson, Green and Scott were immense last week.

the game used to be full to bursting with great players who also came across as great characters to love and hate in equal measure- endearing themselves to the fans - hanley- edwards- offiah -andy gregory sean long- the paul brothers- phil ford- harvey howard- barrie mac -sculthorpe -vainakolo -lowes- newton- morley- i could go on and on and on and on for hours and hours- watching the leeds team yesterday it was instantly forgettable most teams seem to consist of jordan bland - josh boring - jack humdrum - joe dull- tom drab - etc etc all with lovely coiffured stubble and undistinguishable amounts of pre school scribble on their arms and no doubt glowing instagram accounts but as interesting as tarmac

He's an ex Wigan player so I suppose it was inevitable.

Can't beat the cherry and white regular hoops.

The Olympics is a major carrot that, especially in big countries, can direct significant funding towards a sport. Equally, a reduced format like 7s enables weaker sides to compete much more evenly with established nations - so investment can see quicker returns. For the likes of the USA, Russia, China etc, who often see Olympic success as a form of national validation, it is very important. The risk is that 7s is prioritised over 15s, though that risk is massively lower in League given the greater similarity between 9s and 13s.

a must win match id say, its bin a long time since we last won a league match

Looking forward to jizz night in the pub.

With regards to characters and personalities I think it's sport in general. We live in a more sterile society than what we used to. Or so it seems to me with people having to watch what they do or say.

yep, but can also grow outside of the big cities too, and hence maybe use an aspect of that in any marketing considerations. Its not mutually exclusive..

That did annoy me when Crichton did that, Tapine was just minding his own business. I was hoping he'd wallop him

We've already had an inconsistency in the same weekend............case in point, Tanginoa's swinging arm which went on report. Granted it wasn't the same level of Tetevano, but why wasn't it at least a yellow? Putting things on report is a complete cop out and should only ever be used for incidents which are unclear, which this wasn't

Yeah coaching is a tough gig, I`m surprised we don`t hear more of that sort of thing.

Rugby League is played overwhelmingly in Commonwealth countries, yet is not even in the Commonwealth Games. Would that not be a far more realistic target than the Olympics, where every sport in the world wants to gain Olympic access/recognition? I would say that without being part of the Comm Games, Rugby League's chances of Olympic inclusion are literally zero. At this stage, the Olympics is head-in-the-clouds stuff.

The current Red Star team is weaker than the one that took on Millom two years ago. In that team, they had experienced Aussie Darcy Etrich (who scored their opening try) and American national team duo Brandon Anderson and Jamil Robinson. Plus, they had been coached for 3 months by Phil Economidis in the period leading up to the game. Red Star are a real shining light and should be proud of everything they have achieved. But to compare them even to West Wales Raiders or any Elite 1 team is just ludicrous and does nobody any favours, especially in this day and age when there is plenty of video footage out there for all to see. Sounds like a smart approach as they have to work with what they've got (two dominant teams, then a big drop in standard). I am impressed that the Montenego team has played about 3 games in 4 weeks. I don't think they had even played 3 games in the last 3 years, so this could be a real turning point for them in their development. They have had two home games and an away match. For the away match (500km trip each way), I read that they had only 12 men against Dorcol Tigers and a few of them got injured and did not finish the match. So that is quite concerning and could effect their morale. Since they have two more fixtures left, I hope they are both home matches, because I cannot see them being able to make another long trip like that this season. Regarding Balkan SL, I think the idea is being shelved for a few seasons now as only Serbian teams were willing to participate. That will hopefully change in a few years once neighbouring countries like Greece and Turkey return to normal and get a season or two of matches under their belts.

So apart from the funding the recognition and the extra exposure don’t forget that what would getting in the olympics do for RL.

I`ve been saying that for 30 years, let them take whatever they want, It would be a freak show but christ it would be entertaining.

I thought the Bradford one showed the massive gulf between the sports at the time. They were so dominant the RU sides were going backwards when they had the ball.

The Middlesex sevens at Twickenham got disrupted the times Wigan and Bill's entered.... I watched the Bulls one... Very funny

I’m pretty sure that players will be more media trained nowadays, there will be plenty of ‘ characters’ behind closed doors but unfortunately the society we live in today doesn’t allow for individual expression especially with social media quick to point out flaws quicker than Jason robinsons sidestep.

Pauli Pauli is alright but dont pretend he does big minutes, come on. I'm not saying Fifita is what you need, I don't know I'm not a Wakey fan, but to suggest he wouldn't contribute is a little pessimistic. His brother, who couldnt get a game in the NRL has been your best forward for 3 years, Andrew Fifita is a multiple time Kangaroo, Tongan international and NSW representative, a good one as well. He's 31. Keep him off the ale and motivate him and he'd be an amazing signing for Wakefield.

Jake Mamo does an interesting interview.

How was Hanley more of a character than Sam Tomkins. A strange thing to say, we don't have characters.

The new York stadium is of course in Rovrum

There aren't any "demonstration sports" since 1992. That starts well...

I think RL's best chance of getting into the Olympics would be through Wheelchair RL in the Paralympics. I watched a handful of games to see what it was like ahead of the World Cup and it was actually pretty enjoyable. It helped that the rules made it somewhat recognisable to the 13-a-side version (although this wouldn't be a concern for the Olympic Committee - just my own personal enjoyment). If you're thinking path of least resistance, that's where I would be focusing. The fact that it is similar to the other versions of the sport would mean that countries who invested into Wheelchair RL for Paralympics reasons might also decide to invest in 13-a-side men's and women's for the trio of World Cups. I just don't see it being an easy sell to get it into the Olympics in the 9s format when they already have Union 7s in there. I know they mentioned as a demonstration sport which would increase the chances, but that'd just be a one-off.

Thanks for shedding some light on this murky situation. It was obvious to me that managing this pandemic and trying to preserve as many fixtures (and as much revenue) as possible was at the heart of any arrangements made and agreed to. I don't want you to think that I was being simplistic, (or that I'm simplistic by nature) so I want to restate that my point was not in essence, a criticism of the RFL or the Championship clubs but rather about the unsympathetic nature of some of the posters on this forum. Even in these extraordinary circumstances many posters seem hell bent on punishment and vilification rather than suspending judgement until all the facts are in. Additionally, some (here) seem perfectly happy to advocate unfairness as a principle as long as they can see some short term benefit by disadvantaging others. The underlying motive, in these cases is almost always envy and if it goes unchecked, it has the potential to tear us apart.

If you are an occasional entrant or just don't like this aspect of the comp, not to worry, just have a go for the sheer fun of it each week or when you can.

Tipping Ladder After Round 5 1= DeeDeuce 31 1= The Red Rooster 31 3= Farmduck 30 3= Graham 30 3= R L Winger 30 6= Cameron Highlander 29 6= Irish Saint 29 6= Jeff Stein 29 9= StormGirl 28 9= Stoney100 28 11= Dunbar 27 11= Oldbear 27 13= Railway End 26 13= Spotty Herbert 26 15 Harrigan 25 16 Barney 23 17 Steve75 15 18 Omott91 7 19 Sports Prophet 5 All to play for!