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I honestly don't think it would. You would sell it as an inspiring example of player power desperate to represent their countries and heritage against the odds. If you are worried about ridicule for that then I believe we've missed what a world cup should be about.

They already look ridiculous.

TVNZ reports that International Rugby League boss threatens sanctions if trans-Tasman Tests go ahead.

Anyone at the head of the Australian and New Zealand Rugby League should listen to this and feel ashamed of themselves. It's not about elite NRL players not being able to play in trials or start training a little late... it is about men, women and wheelchair athletes potentially having their dreams thrown away.

No its got be 2021.

Since these guys are willing to heroically go up against the forces of darkness and put their NRL careers on the line then I'm happy to ask them what they want to be called and go with that.

At this stage, the only thing that matters is getting the World Cup on this year (or genuinely postponed with a genuine plan which everyone is happy with). The people least affected by the cancellation are the NRL, but there are a host of other people directly affected. The players, of course, and the women’s comp and the wheelchair comp, the RLWC, the IRL, ERL and APRL, who all rely on income from this. Every developing member nation will be harmed, every initiative across the game will be harmed. Our reputation as a sport with broadcasters and with sponsors and with host towns and communities will be destroyed. Nobody will touch us as a sport when we come selling the next European championships or World Cup. The French Government are being asked to underwrite a potentially large investment in an event which the NRL can veto on no notice for no good reason. And these are all initiatives which have been made possible by the efforts of thousands of people spending millions of hours for little, if any, reward. Many of whom will have been crushed by the NRL’s betrayal. VLandys and co will be pretty much completely insulated against this, and worse, wilfully oblivious. If we get the Indigenous team and the Maoris we can move forward and salvage enough to make this a celebration of our game. If we have to live with an asterisk, so be it. That is a small price to pay for the benefits of having any competition.

I don't think the indiginous teams are going to come here, with the blessing of the ARLC nor should we welcome them alone. If they did, the outcry from the other players, who would have been selected for Australia would be heard from here and rightly so. For me, the only way through this is with ''rebel'' unsanctioned rep teams made up of the best players who declare their desire to be in it, or two non-qualifiers (USA + A.N.Other). We (the organisers) can't welcome the indiginous teams and condone what the ARLC have done by leaving out the other eager players (Cherry-Evans et al) that makes us look as bad as them. I say, unless Aus and NZ climb down and opt back in, we should quickly appoint two ''rebel'' coaches/managers and select the best invitational teams we can muster from all the willing players. Then (crucially) print up the Green and Gold and the Black and White jumpers, so they can rightly feel/claim that they are playing for their respective National teams. If we haven't got the cojones to go that far, then bring on the USA option.

It is amazing the amount of daily news that is coming out about the World Cup that is barely getting a mention in the main Australian and NZ media outlets. The NRL have so much power through their media partners. In countries were literally everything RL related gets reported potentially huge stories are just being completely ignored and covered up and there is no investigative journalism at all.

Very easily. Vladys is perfectly capable of a u turn, it just needs a "revised and enhanced" set of protocols to be agreed and some nice face saving joint statement. Vladys has kept that option alive, why do you think we haven't heard a word from him yet? He could very much paint himself here as the great RLWC saviour who got major concessions that guaranteed player safety.....blah blah blah. Same from the RLWC, there has been zero criticism of the ARL/NZRL from them, there is a reason for that. If they dont rejoin then fair enough, I believe a 2021 RLWC without the ARL/NZRL will work just fine.

Disaster and embarrassing? I don't think so. What would be embarrassing about a team with the likes of Ado-Carr, Lattrell Mitchell etc winning the competition? I wouldn't be at all embarrassed. I can see why it would be embarrassing for the ARLC though, not allowing people like Cherry-Evans a chance to win it whilst he watches some of his teammates do so.

I subscribe to Watch NRL, and after being away all weekend I've binged ove rthe last 48hrs, including on NRL360, NRL Tonight, etc. The one sided coverage of the pull out on Fox, when the world cup actually gets a mention, is incredible. All the usual suspects (bar Wayne B), coming out saying it is the right decision, postpone until 2022 (they genuinely have no f&^%ing idea about the actual World Cup happening at the same time, nor how much the RFL and League in the UK is banking on the League WC for it's future) It's been like watching North Korea News Corporation.

I hope either of you are correct. I think the ARL and NZRL have totally misread the situation and just expected everyone just to roll over with this as a done deal. The fact that nobody has, has probably come as a major shock to them and hopefully will result in the IRL being strengthened as a governing body. I do hope both Australia and New Zealand reconsider and attend, whatever the thing that changes their mind may be. As others have said, to achieve this we probably have to give them a way of saving face. Whether its actual or real, there probably has to be some demonstration of compromise so both parties can claim they got what they were after. If the Aussies dig their heals in, then we absolutely should go ahead this year if we can keep everyone else on board.

Addo-Carr meets with Abdo: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7361644/indigenous-stars-meet-abdo-on-world-cup/?cs=14274 It's thought an official call on whether it goes ahead this year could again be pushed back to next week, in a bid to properly canvas player opinion on its viability. Addo-Carr has helped lead the charge for Indigenous and Maori sides to replace Australia and New Zealand in the end-of-season tournament, provided it goes ahead. The Melbourne flyer met with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo this week to discuss the matter and is waiting for a response from league officials about the option. It comes after the ARL Commission and NZRL deemed the tournament too much of safety and welfare risk during COVID-19 last week. But Addo-Carr, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell are among those wanting to push ahead with the Indigenous team. "We had a meeting with Andrew Abdo a couple of days ago and discussed potentially putting the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars in the World Cup," Addo-Carr said. "I'm just waiting to hear back from Andrew and the NRL to get that approved.

But it wasn't always like this … that's the annoying thing !!! International RL used to be huge in Australia, right up until the 1995-97 Super League war, which just destroyed the international RL calendar; for example, all those massively anticipated Kangaroo + Lions tours at 4-yearly intervals just went out the window, and never came back … and it's never been explained why !! Ever since, it's been a botch-potch of international RL programming, and meanwhile the SOO monster just grew and grew … to the point where the NRL relies on it for a huge part of its broadcasting deal. PLUS, the NRL no longer owns international RL product, so the NRL can't profit from it. And then with no international RL, huge swathes of younger people don't grow up with it or are never introduced to it … and the memories of international RL of those of us who did grow up with it just slowly fade with time. It's enough to make one weep !

It'd be the Aussie and the Kiwis' fault, not RL's.

You are going to absolutely love this. It is well known that there has been hesitancy about getting vaccinated over here, most probably because we haven`t had the bejesus scared out of us by high mortality rates, but don`t worry Uncle Pete is going to save Oz. V'landys reveals NRL's big vaccination plan (theage.com.au) Peter V'landys is hoping that the public will take the lead set by NRL players and go out to get their COVID-19 jabs I can only hope this is a lead in to, and not a distraction from, an announcement where squads of Australia`s finest Womens, Mens and Wheel-chair Rugby League athletes will soon be heading overseas to represent our nation fully protected from any nasty foreign bugs.

This is interesting in that, if the indigenous and Maori teams are allowed to play, the kangaroo and New Zealand Kiwi players who are not selected miss out on the World Cup altogether!! if this happens, if I were them I would be very very very angry at V’landys

The Indigenous sides putting hands up is the thing that will swing it. Oz and NZ will come back in becuase it would be the height of farce for the players they would have been sending to go anyway repsenting the indigenous/maori teams - basically they end up creating a situation where they signal that playing for these teams means more than playing for Oz/NZ and they will hate that. I hope I'm wrong as I think the WC with the indigenous/maori in it, in these circumstances, would be better than a WC with Oz/NZ and would be an incredible celebration of RL in the face of adversity.

Elliot Whitehead signs new contract at the Raiders to the end of 2024.

Slightly more info in the statement posted on the IRL website (which I've bolded): The Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) Board today held another emergency meeting. While the Board reiterated the determination to deliver the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup in history, they are also realistic about the significant challenges that threaten that ambition. In light of the decision by the ARLC and NZRL to withdraw from the event, the Board have instructed myself and the RLWC2021 team to continue to hold further urgent discussions with all stakeholders, particularly the players, aimed at correcting misinformation as well as measuring the sentiment on proceeding with the tournament. The RLWC2021 Board recognise the need to bring clarity and certainty to the situation. They have also underlined the relentless work that has been taking place to establish the most safe and secure environment for all involved - in line with other world class major events that have taken place successfully in the UK in 2021. RLWC will have these conversations as soon as possible and are currently in dialogue with: The UK government on a regular basis whose support has been invaluable The players on the extraordinary measures we will implement to protect their wellbeing during the event The competing nations to fully understand any new or developing issues that will prevent them travelling to England in October The eighteen dedicated host towns and cities as well as the twenty-one world class venues that will stage RLWC2021 matches The IRL on the implications of the decision made by the ARLC and NZRL and replacement teams We place on record our sincere thanks for the understanding of the hundreds of thousands of fans who are planning to attend the tournament, as well as our loyal commercial and broadcast partners who have been so supportive during this challenging time.

It's more than possible if the NRL don't sabotage the rest.

I think the phrase "(The board) are also realistic about the significant challenges that threaten that ambition" suggests that talks have not been wholly positive, and at the very least they're creating a space for possible bad news. Feels like it could go either way to me.

I wonder if they could sue the Kangaroos if they don't compete? I'm sure the deal was signed at least partly with the World Cup in mind and a likely 6 games plus other internationals on top. No RLWC and no other games changes that somewhat and they aren't getting anything out of this sponsorship.

Because the WC is for countries. Having the "Indigenous All Stars" win the World Cup would make RL look amateur and open to ridicule.

I'm now for kicking out the Aussies & Kiwis and replacing them with the Indigenous players/teams.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.nine.com.au/article/0a9ae97e-4127-4f50-a00b-2785592407e8

The Foxx , Cody Walker and Latrell pushing the Indigenous cause . This is more than rugby to them as well . Interesting that because the official commissions have withdrawn their sides the clubs are under no obligation to release players …. Can you imagine if they did that for indigenous sides who have such good will and put their hand up to come ? It would be a PR nightmare.

But RL's important in Queensland (and more importantly in Australia). Pretty well anything they can get would be easy to dress up as 'UK government financially props up Australian sports league because they threw a tantrum' - I'm not sure the government can afford that politically domestically - *unless* any cash/assurances were followed through publicly in UK/Aus media with British government statements/mood music along the lines of 'we didn't understand the logic of their concerns when every other sport in the world seems to be carrying on, but we're very happy that giving them this relatively small amount of money seems to have made their concerns go away.' Let public opinion do the rest. Honestly, if this goes under, you'll care, I'll care, *some* people in the UK might care, but really when it comes down to it, this is a big fish from a small pond who deserves to discover he's out of his depth.

If they changed their minds now, I'd be sorely tempted to say "Sorry, you're too late - we thought you werent coming so we've given your places to Tajikistan and the Faeroe Islands."

I just feel sorry for the players from Aus/NZ - they are chess pawns being flicked of the board so the King (NRL) can call CHECKMATE. They find out through the media there not going. Publicly state they want to go with the 75% survey proving this. Numerous grabs in interviews from certain players likely to go state they want to go. But we hear anonymously that some stated they did but didnt really want to privately - give me a break. If someone doesn't want to go that's fine we all respect that & after a long season who can blame them. Everyone has personal reasons that is none of our business to know why. But for the few who want to pursue the final sprint to the finish line & want to complete the Rugby League Marathon this year then Kudos to you as well. As you will go down as the ones who stood up to the bullies & unwarranted pressure from clubs & be forever remembered as the ones who saved the world cup this year. Special mention to Jason who hopefully starts the snowball effect.

What I can't fathom is why did NZ sign the participation agreement a week before pulling out? You are not just sending a rsvp to a mates 21st party - you are agreeing to participate in a competition thats had millions of dollars pumped into it. If they were unsure just sit on the fence but don't be two faced & embarrass your sport worldwide. I wonder in hindsight they wished they stayed out of this so all the pressure would of just been directed at Australia. They have done themselves no favors either for future tournaments. They can play Australia in a 50 test match series as far as I care.

Common sense from Vossy: https://webplayer.whooshkaa.com/episode/856808?visual=true&theme=light

That tweet from Simon Johnson is all wrong IMO. Those kind of things need to be conveyed in private, not on Twitter. Trying to shame those involved into reversing their decision or point of view will never work. It’s likely to have the opposite effect in fact.

The Australian RU and the AFL must look at this and simply can't believe their luck …

I'm thinking more and more that this is the right direction. I love the idea of the Indigenous and Maori sides as replacements, but that would leave the non-Indigenous and non-Maori players on the sideline (when many of those would want to attend) – and create a massive rift among the players. So I agree, unless Aus and NZ climb down and opt back in (which is highly doubtful), the best option is "Invitational XIIIs" for Australia and NZ, and, failing that, sides like the US and Serbia (but the latter would be a far harder "sell" for organisers. Perhaps this is why the latest statement from RLWC organisers is so vague, as they explore all the options, none of which are easy to sort out. All up, the ARLC/NZRL decision to pull out is simply the greatest act of treachery RL has seen since Vichy – except it's self-inflicted. V'landys, Gould + co really have destroyed so much … for so little. Still angry and disgusted.

I agree , it was a 50/50 statement

Yeah for the first time in ages, Gallaghers a multi-national insurance company are sponsoring the Kangaroos. And boy aren`t they getting good value for money. It use to be a great embarrassment for me that our national team couldn`t attract a sponsor, well we`ve got one now, they must be over the moon, they probably signed up for Pacific tests, Kangaroo tour and World Cup, and look what they`ve got, diddly.

If anything I suspect it has empowered the NRL clubs to make even more self-centred decisions as they are then funnelled through the "independent" ARLC with an "independent" lens.

Surely if Indigenous sides can come over then Australia and New Zealand could.

He is a very interesting character. Clearly a very very astute player who will find any opportunity to drive a hard bargain. You would have said a few years ago that having someone like this in the sport would be superb; on our side and fighting our corner. Unfortunately, it seems like his 'side' is not the sport of Rugby League but the NRL and so his strengths are actually tearing the sport apart from the inside. It may not be an issue for the NRL (yet) as they will see the benefits of his actions but the wider sport will suffer. I don't suppose he will mind, the key is who will mind.

The NRL’s plans for end of season tests with NZ could be in trouble https://bit.ly/2TzH4xU

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/07/27/player-power-could-cause-australia-and-new-zealand-to-rethink-world-cup/

Its a real tough one, I can see arguments for both sides. Personally I think the next 2 runners up should be allowed in assuming aus/nz still said thanks but no thanks. Remember they went through qualifying process. I mean imagine if Serbia got in & someone could convince Novak Djokovic publicy support them or say the 3 trbjojevic brothers get involved somehow. Playing would be great. Don't know Manly would be enthusiastic but its up to the players to decide. Or even South Africa don't know if they were close but it would mean Africa as a continent meaning yes we are a true World Cup with Europe/Asia/Pacific/Africa/Americas(USA) represented

Just a thought so please don't bite my head off. I think we all realise the Aussies are trying to do a take over of the IRL.Would we not be supporting the IRL more if we invited 2 members of the IRL (the next best runners up qualifiers) as opposed to 2 "invented teams".Could it be seen as a snub to the IRL if we invited 2 indiginous teams. As I said it's just a thought, I don't know the answer.

Those teams along with the Pacific Island teams , and all the cultural attachments , would be really something . The sport could make a lot of that and turn a negative into a big positive

I volunteered at East Park Hull . Great to be back , very positive atmosphere . 400 ish ran

I am informed by the stats that pop up on the right hand side of this page on my laptop view that I have made more posts in this thread than the next three people put together. I guess that goes some way to demonstrating how much I enjoy the NRL and love seeing Brits do well over there. But after the events of the last week or so I won't be watching any more NRL for the foreseeable future and so I will just hope the established Brits carry on doing well and the likes of Dom Young, Bailey Hodgson and Harry Rushton fulfill their potential. I hope things change (as I hope the NRL reverses it's one eyed view on the World Cup and International Rugby League), in which case I will be back and chatting about all things NRL. But not until then.