Pulga

beIN to broadcast the World Cup in France.

Almost 4 LSVs.

I apologise but I don't see how it can change for the better. The problems I hear of in Super League are identical to bush footy here in Australia. The community game and the professional game are mostly seperate in Australia and the NRL is now 15 - 20 times the size of SL. In England the professional game is the community game and all those silly biases and small town thinking creep in. P&R is a baby boomer's nostalgia trip and nothing more.

The problems in the English game are so deep. I'm not sure any company could change it. I'd love to be proven wrong.

It's amazing the difference between the Warriors and the French teams in Super League.

I think the most likely thing to happen is IMG back out of this deal. I honestly believe the game is basically done for in England. IMG can't change it.

Not necessarily.

Interestingly, you need to have a 4 team domestic comp to keep your Affiliate Membership of the IRL. Only Affiliate and Full Members can qualify for the World Cup. I doubt this will change anything because the IRL bends and breaks the rules at will anyway if you're a good enough brown-noser.

https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/33414337/western-force-pay-super-w-players?platform=amp Some were paying a bit more than $0. But nowhere near minimum wage.

It isn't an expanded NRLW.

This is rugby league. Let's not jump the gun.

This is more or less my same opinion. Just replace "South Africa" with "England".

Tapine is in ridiculous form but I wouldn't say he's "easily better". If he sustains his form he may well be though. All are unbelievable talents.

Imagine if Haas and Tino commit.... Could be the greatest forward pack of all time. I'd need new underwear if I was lining up against them.

Certainly not ridiculous. NZ and Aus are going to have their work cut out for them against this Samoan squad especially if there's a few more declaring for them as Papali'i hinted.

You're right. The game certainly is a beggar.

It is a shame about the coach but I'd say the Samoan team as individuals are much better players. Great for the International game regardless.

England are in enormous trouble I think.

The funding is not the problem. It's what it is tied to. The game in England, as a brand, and in the eyes of the public is possibly at its lowest ever point. The continued doubling down as a Northern sport for Northern people is destroying the game. It's ever decreasing circles. Unless that money is used to break free of a certain motorway the game is shackled to, then the money is of no use. It will be squandered once again. We'll be having the same conversation in 2029 or 2033 except maybe Super League won't be full-time anymore.

It's meant to say "upswing" instead of "using". I've mistyped. Sorry.

Just like the insane using the game had after the 2013 WC in England....

You might want to look up where the AFL teams are based... Or you don't understand what "geographical" means. I'd love to hear Super League's previous sponsors that rival Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Shell and Google.

Is this the same World Cup that's being paid for by grants to promote the "Northern Powerhouse"? Where are the large majority of these games being played?

As already said, you've proven my point. The AFL's geographical spread is the opposite of Super League's (and the players from which the national team are mostly selected).

It's pretty simple. If you were a multinational company looking at promoting your brand through sponsorship would you spend it on a game with such a tiny geographical spread? Would you spend it on a game that had the potential for multiple teams from backwater towns being in the top flight?