gingerjon

Don't worry, I'm sure there are some great new ideas right around the corner that will be the quick fix the game needs. Nothing lasts more than three iterations and that's been true of rugby league for decades. It's the thing that has held the sport back the most. And we're just launching into doing it again.

Based on what I would perceive both clubs would want as an outcome. You're right that it is just conjecture. I stand by it being a thoroughly embarrassing situation for the sport and all involved on the clubs side need their balls punted.

Yes. I suspect they have two completely different destinations in mind and both believe they can string the other along until they get there. An embarrassing day for rugby league, this. Still, at least the dinosaurs got their game back.

How many men’s internationals and women’s internationals, anywhere in the world, even the suburbs of Sydney, have a date in the diary at this stage? The official answer is zero.

It was a backward move. We are able to look at it with hindsight and say that. We may be kinder and say it didn't look like being *such* a backward move when planned and then delivered but it was always a nostalgia driven quick fix rather than anything more substantial. And, as for the Aussies coming here showing tours are amazing. Firstly: it hasn't happened yet. Secondly: I *think* it will be amazing but I am right smack in the demographic who really don't need any sell to about it. We have absolutely no evidence yet that it's a great idea. (Because, ultimately, we cannot ever take this board as proof of anything wider than the opinions of people on this board).

Always best to believe the legend with that one and, should you wish to continue to believe in poetry, not follow the details about how old it, and most (virtually all) other, 'ancient' pubs really are.

And what that tells me is the real truth about our heartland: it doesn't really exist.

And *that* is why football is different ... Liverpool don't deserve a result in Paris but get one. Paris are barely coherent in the opening stages and then get one attack ... tie level. Game on.

I think it's almost certainly that a bunch of businessmen who all think they're the smartest guy in the room didn't read a contract and expected a quick fix without any work. Wood will be whispering sweet nothings, supported by some less than independent members of the press, and will get the praise when he boots them out. Basically, they're gone, and the hard work will have been for nothing because it didn't lead to instant gratification.

Two words: Meat. Raffle.

It's really not. What is actually needed is a period of stability with hard work in all areas and nobody looking for quick fix magic bullets. Unfortunately, RL is about to aim at its feet with both barrels.

There is absolutely no plan afoot. It is all ego.

Ah, okay. There’s differences at Wembley between RL and football matches.

Then it makes sense they ran out given the restrictions on drinking at soccer matches.

I think my arthritic dog knows more about sports investment than Jim Radcliffe.

And appears to be genuinely famous in the states for everything he's done other than Carry On films.

Their seasons being out of alignment is the final hammer blow even once you get past that imbalance. There was an all-island women's cup in 2023 and 2024 but I can't see that it's being played in 2025. EDIT In fact, I can't even see the result of the final of 2024.

Didn’t know that - thanks.

Did they say what the negotiations were about or did they just do the gossip part because actually understanding what might be being bought/sold/invested in would require some actual work?

Brexit doesn't impact Irish people in the UK, though. Your* Irish passport is treated, for ability to work in the UK purposes, as identical to your British one. Not discounting it entirely - Ireland is doing very well as the English speaking country in the EU - but I'm not 100% sure it's the trigger. Agree with you about the Northern Irish clubs. It's a real shame there is no island of Ireland league.

They have confirmed for this year.

How hard are they prepared to work? Sam Ryder, our last high scorer who probably would have won in a normal year, was all over Europe in the time between announcement and performance. Is the BBC paying for / do these lot want to do the same?

Really good to hear.

Even that is complicated by the fact that the NRL have partnerships with IMG. Would they want to rock that by publicly saying they have more expertise than IMG and taking on one of their contracts?

It’s all meaningless at this stage and likely to remain so for a long time. Nobody even answers what are they thinking of buying or investing in? The league? What does that even mean? What is there to buy? The RFL? Even the bits that have nothing to do with a professional game? The clubs themselves? Seriously?