langpark

Indeed, but clearly they are not trying to achieve something for you, but for the long-term development of RL in Greece.

I am not exactly sure anymore. It seems there are now 6 men's teams, so perhaps they just now have the one division. And I noticed in their Cup games, to make up the 8 teams, they entered 2 youth teams. Car Dusan, which I believe is the Radnicki Nis U18s and also Red Stars U18, which I think are called the Red Kangaroos or something. From what I have seen and heard, Dorcol Tigers was something of a splinter club, I think a (big) group of Dorcol players walked out, and joined forces with some of the remaining players of Tasmajdan Tigers (which folded a couple of years ago) to for Dorcol Tigers. It seems now, they are stronger than the original Dorcol, who haven't played a game for a while.

I believe the current active clubs are: Red Star, Partizan, Dorcol Tigers, New Belgrade (Novi Beograd), Radnicki Nis and the original Dorcol, I understand is in a rebuilding phase, but still active. In general, the 'big two', Red Star and Partizan are well ahead of the rest at the moment. Then they have some of these clubs represented also at U14, U16 and U18 level. In the women's game I think only Red Star have a team so far.

Also, Greece, Italy etc. have a ticking clock and a need to prepare for the future. Most of their migration to Aus was post-WWII. Meaning heritage stocks will dry up in the next 10-20 years. Pacific island migration towards Aus and NZ will likely never stop, so may never be an issue for those countries.

Ooh. I don't think that will go down well. As you see, several here are criticising Greece for going for a 1/3 split.

Thanks for sharing that! Very interesting read!

I hate to be picky, but I always thought the word "quota" meant "limit". So this thread should really be called "heritage player quota", right?

Thanks for the info. Ok so they have a few. Mansour definitely played for Aus though at WC 2017, see for yourself: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Mansour

I think you are right, but who? I am seriously struggling to name some. Josh Mansour last played for Aus at last WC, I suppose he will switch to Lebanon if Aus don't pick him.

Whipping boys is probably accurate. But i really cannot see them being any less competitive than Jamaica, Italy or Lebanon. Lebanon had Farah, Mannah and Moses at last WC, probably won't have them in '21. Same goes for Italy with: Tedesco, Paul Vaughan and Mark Minichello.

Yes, and I think he battled for over 5 years?? Sad, but also inspirational at the same time.

https://www.rlef.eu.com/articles/1830/rugby-league-european-federation-pays-tribute-to-german-pioneer-simon-cooper

I never met the man but knew all about him. No doubt his legacy will live on. Very sad day. RIP brother.

Samoa drew with Scotland last WC in essentially what was their home ground. Greece lost to Scotland 42-24 in the qualifiers. I don't think it is going to be the massacre that you seem to think it will be.

Did you read the article? It says 3 of their domestic players now play semi-pro abroad. So we are talking 5 amateurs in a 24-man squad. Not crazy at all.