Man of Kent

Blimey, doors and windows have to be taped shut. Australia's Covid-proof fence is really strict! If only it worked!!

Gus Gould on Channel 9. The other panelists - including Paul Gallen - weren’t buying his BS either. His side seems to be losing the argument in Australia itself, which is encouraging. .

Troy Grant speaks https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-133-troy-grant/id1392281329?i=1000530024945 Italy is ready to step into the breach in the women's tournament. Maori and Indigenous also a possibility (as with the men).

https://www.totalrl.com/world-cup-officials-issue-interim-statement-of-intent/ "The Rugby League World Cup 2021 have held an emergency Board meeting following the hugely disappointing statement made by ARLC and NZRL. The Board conducted constructive discussions on the best way forward for the tournament and will continue dialogue with all stakeholders, including the UK Government, in the coming days. “The well-being of all those involved in the tournament, particularly players and team officials, have been the priority for the organisers. The Board reiterated the relentless hard work and extraordinary measures that have been taken to create a world class environment in line with other major sports event that have been successfully hosted in UK this year. “The Board will meet again in the coming days but in the meantime will continue to concentrate its efforts on being solutions focused and achieving the best possible outcome for the tournament.”

Troy Grant (IRL chief) believes there’s a chance of a U-turn, it’s “highly unlikely” other nations will pull out, ‘rebel’ Aus vs NZ tests won’t happen unless the World Cup is postponed/cancelled, Indigenous & Maori sides are a genuine possibility and seemingly first in line as replacements, failing that USA, Spain and South Africa are next. https://www.totalrl.com/crucial-world-cup-decision-to-be-made-on-monday/

Applying the ‘follow the money’ maxim, that does make some sense. Yet even that doesn’t explain the decision to pull out of the 2021 World Cup. I really do think it’s down to small time petty-mindedness about quarantine and pre-season training.

I’m guessing it’s because of possible self-isolation once in the UK. They’ve probably read about the ‘pingdemic’

It would be a great story and the BBC in particular would lap it up, and the Indigenous war cry and Maori haka. But there’s more to play out, I suspect.

Just listening to the Triple M Saturday Scrum pod and Jammer was excellent. He goes on to make the point that the ‘eight weeks off’ thing has always been an issue but it never stopped the likes of Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith playing finals football for Melbourne, then touring/play in World Cups for the Kangaroos - noting that the last World Cup final was in December - then go round again the following year. They just found a way to make it work, as indeed the ARLC has done with State of Origin and the NRL during Covid.

I’ve got a horrible feeling the RLWC board will announce they are cracking on with the tournament then other nations will pull out within days.

I note that includes the 2021 World Cup (!)

Let's for a moment take Gus Gould - who no doubt has the ear of Peter V'landys - and his words about the NRL running international RL at face value. How could it possibly be better than what was planned for the autumn? What is their game?

Not sure we'd get this much publicity if we won the tournament! At least not 'news news' (perhaps 'sport news'). It's been everywhere!

So it is a power play. NRL self-interest.

Assuming the ARL and NZRL don't U-turn, I like the idea and the RL community would back them to the hilt for defying the likes of Peter V'Landys.

Suggestions there could be Australian Indigenous and NZ Maori teams. Just an idea, but an interesting one. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09q4fwl

Adam Pearson pipes up with Super League clubs' very own 'selfish and parochial' view https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/adam-pearson-hull-fc-super-5686936

I think that's why they have done it now, chief.

RLWC2021 saying it plans to assign volunteer roles from next month. Doesn't sound like it's going to be postponed/binned off. At least, not yet.

Sure but Brazil didn't even participate in the qualifiers. Technically the 'first dibs' would be USA and South Africa, as they were losers in the 'intercontinental play-off series'.

Not sure about Brazil. I would prefer to see Serbia.

Excellent piece of journalism that tells it how it is. Selfish, arrogant and short-sighted.

On Radio 4 now. Jason Robinson and Phil Veivers.

On Radio 4 now. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_fourfm Sorry, on shortly.