Sports Prophet

I didn’t make a claim mate. Posters above me did. I was just demonstrating an exaggerated position of doom, contrary to my true feelings.

Great post! I am certain you’ve posted nothing smarter

The fact of the matter is, the professional sports industry has outgrown so many of these clubs. Sport is littered across all codes with examples of professional clubs not keeping up with the rest and falling. You use the term “decent numbers” when referring to the clubs. I’m sorry, in this day and age top tier professional sports, some of the SL crowd figures are damn pitiful. So please don’t cast all clubs with the “decent numbers” pitch. Now in a brave new world, one that aims for successful big city clubs in locations that have a realistic chance of success due to population, financial footprint and profile, there may be a few casualties. Maybe not. Maybe the existing clubs can all exist with the addition of two new clubs. I have certainly advocated for a 14 team SL. But by setting a target of 2 new big city British club for the 2026 season, it gives IMG and the RFL suitable time to find financial backing for two new franchises and also allows some of the existing “Real Northern” clubs to drastically improve their delivery of RL both on and off the pitch to give themselves a chance of a seat at the table of a new era.

You aren’t wrong on the highlighted front, however, just like the SL, the Welsh RU and the Pro series clubs have done SFA to change the image and the way the sport is presented in order to attract a younger audience to replace its ageing fanatics. SL is in dying need of a revamp and I am sorry to say, sub 5k crowds in Wakefield and Salford should have no place in any NWO of NH club rugby league. In an IMG reimagined SL, I would love to see a brave target for new Cardiff and London franchises to enter the SL in 2026, joining Toulouse and Catalan as permanent SL clubs that are exempt from any relegation threat.

Notice the NRL’s objective to focus on the health of the sport in the Pacific? The RFL must focus its growth around the NH and stop focusing its attention on what the NRL can do to help increase the exposure of the sport there. A combined strategy with the French would be a great start. The ball is in your court.

Well that’s just as bloody dishonest as our bloody international heritage criteria. The general public that weren’t watching will no doubt see right through these false attendance figures. When will RL administrators learn that they are destroying the planet. AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGH

The sport fails to sell out the CC Final and NRL Semi Finals. What chances are there of filling an oval in Bombay?

Where can I learn more about their story? I find it astonishing as it appears quite randomly, Brazil have pulled together a WC capable women’s RL squad.

A Superbowl style contest between the Southern and Northern Divisional Champions 2 weeks after their respective GFs is the only event that would truly demonstrate the best club in the world annually. Anything pre-season the following year is an exhibition match as far as I’m concerned.

Sounds like a great day out then. Enjoy.

Ahh you again, I was hoping you had just disappeared. To be honest, I am surprised you know how to type, let alone anything else that goes on in that noggin

Playing a handful of international games every year is expensive and highly risky, especially when it WILL NOT help the likes of Wales, Ireland et al bridge the gap to the southern hemisphere nations.

He has plenty of detractors and he is a sore loser. Self confessed sore loser, so the man knows his faults. I think he is a great mind and would love to see more of him in RL. NRL career after taking Argentina to the RUWC maybe?

The ARLC do not have contempt for the international game, they just have their own interest first and will be very aware the international game offers little benefit to Australian RL. You are right on the other hand though, they probably won’t be queuing up for a lot more internationals. Probably one series between every WC. Until more than two nations can seriously challenge Australia, I don’t need to see the Kangaroos anymore than that. If they play more, that’s a bonus. I will happily enjoy other nations playing more often though.

Stop it. Please I beg you. My sides are hurting.

They are superior and are still playing.

They’ve got a much better chance of beating Samoa than Wales do of beating Ireland, that’s for certain.

Your comments make me laugh sometimes

What @Roy Haggerty said.

Yep. Amazing to think we have a very high likelihood there will be the same number of Asian nations featuring in the Quarter Finals as there will be European.

Performed slightly better than Thaler has as a video ref.

Lebanon looking to have secured themselves as one of only two NH nations Quarter Finalists.

That’s true. Doesn’t mean we have to abolish heritage teams in the meantime.

Why? There’s a great argument to say investment in Serbia and Greece would be a better cash investment.

If your guess as to why RL is not a member of GAISF is due to the number of heritage players representing nations at the WC, then I can immediately confirm for you that your guess is wide of the mark. I have said it many times, the playing standard of the born and bred player needs improving and selecting the home grown player against FT professionals once in their career is not going to develop anything but a bruised and battered body.