Jim from Oz

Zero confirmation about the Pacific cup this year as yet

12 is an excellent number for the RLWC for now … You can have three groups of four, and then also have quarter-finals, semifinals and finals… Having 12 teams would also mean both Wales and France would likely qualify, it is absolutely ridiculous that one of those two teams will not for 2026. Having 10 teams is just total meh. What also peeves me off is the fact that we have moved our four-year RLWC schedule from 2025, 2029 etc. – when we had no competition with any major sporting event – to 2026, 2030 etc… so in the same cycle of the biggest sporting event on earth, the FIFA World Cup. Even worse, in 2034, the FIFA World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia, and so most likely played in November… Which will be a direct clash with the RLWC !!! I mean, FFS !!! Plus, for years we were told that having the RLWC with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair together provided such a unique experience, promotion etc. Etc. – only for it to be all separated after RLWC 2026 !!! it is all so very rugby league!

I’d comment on this news but after all the disappointments of the pathetic RLWC effort by the NRL/ARL in 2017, the RLWC cancellation of 2021, all the downgrading of internationals over the years, the non-scheduling and/or non-promotion of games, half-arsed tournaments like the 2023 Pacific cup etc etc etc … I just find it hard to care any more.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/07/09/jillaroos-want-vegas-test-to-inspire-next-generation/

The SMH story that I have linked above notes: "Where the NRL teams will be based is still being finalised, as is the venue and date for the World Club Challenge."

https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/07/09/rugby-league-las-vegas-festival-2025---bigger-bolder-better/

Four games in a row, with the NRL games split, seems rather … odd !

From the SMH story: "Wigan and Warrington will kickstart proceedings at 1.30pm local time, or 8.30am in Australia, followed by the Raiders and Warriors, the Jillaroos and Lionesses, and the Panthers-Sharks clash."

It's all confirmed ! FOUR matches: Penrith v Cronulla, Canberra v NZ Warriors, Wigan v Warrington, Women's Test Australia v England https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/cleary-s-penrith-to-spearhead-las-vegas-quadruple-header-in-2025-20240709-p5jsar.html

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/02/nrl-las-vegas-expansion-womens-teams-test-australia-vs-england

Bad weather was a factor in some of those poor crowds

The Second Coming of Jesus will occur before we ever get an international RL fixture list/calendar !!

Ridiculously, both events had 16 teams, which is way too many at this stage in international RL's development.

Circus Circus!! That was it! All you can eat monster buffet for $2.99, if I recall correctly… But it WAS way back in the Jurassic era when I were young backpacking lad

When I was last in Vegas (admittedly a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away), the casinos had these all-you-can-eat deals of endless and excellent food for less than $10 … do those not exist any more??

When does Matty Johns etc expect international games to be played with the two footy seasons NOT running in tandem? Do they really think NRL clubs these days are going to let their players play internationals vs (say) the touring GB side in the middle of the NRL season?

What is the all-time attendance record for a six game super league round? Thanks

Is that for the game in Paris or the game in Marseille? Cheers

Interesting that the Lord Derby Cup semi-final double header is in Marseille, and the France v Wales game is in Paris … the FFR XIII trying to push the boundaries? If so, good to see !

Toulouse and Catalans should be permanently exempt from relegation ! Controversial, I know, but it is for the long-term future of the code

TBH the more V’Landys and the NRL wrap themselves around gambling and mega gambling $$$, the more concerned I become

Interesting tidbit about the possibilities for the 2024 Pacific Championships: The only reason the NZRL moved the game to Hamilton was because the Test schedule was not locked in until the collective bargaining agreement was nailed down. October remains the best time to play Test football – it is foolish to suggest any other time during the year – and 12 months of promotion will help next year. Four nations taking part rather than three will also mean there is no rest weekend during the Pacific Championships, which helps the series maintain momentum. Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and potentially Fiji will make up the Pacific Championships next year, with international officials hopeful Samoa tour England, and Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Lebanon and potentially France round out the tier-two tournament. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/inspired-kiwis-send-australia-crashing-to-their-heaviest-test-loss-20231104-p5ehla.html

Final score, New Zealand 30, Australia 0. New Zealand play absolutely faultless test RL. Australia suffer its greatest ever defeat in 395 Test matches going back to 1908, unbelievable!!!

Could somebody explain exactly what is NA TV ? Merci

Looks like a full house for today’s Papua New Guinea versus Fiji game, even more impressive when it is a dead rubber match! Great to see!