Rugby League World Cup 2021 (Merged Threads)

[The Rocket]

1 hour ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

Yeah, not meaning to stray the discussion too close to the political, just using facts and figures to back up the argument that its not about player welfare in relation to covid. Sorry mods! 

So you can see on that chart that the hospitalisations are at a much lower level and are increasing much more slowly than in the second spike. Halfway through September there you can see a sudden rapid upward turn in hospitalisations, campared to this July and it is just gradually increasing. This would back up the suggestion that cases now to them are much milder and the drop in cases over the previous 5 days or so would suggest we are past the peek of this current spike. By the end of September most people having a second jab will have had it and by the end of October when the tournament gets goigg the figures should be rock bottom again. 

Anyway, let's get back into the realms of ridiculing Aussies and not straying into politics!

Apart from having a chuckle at your last sentence your previous paragraph is bang on the money and relevant to this topic, anyone who really wanted to know what the situation might be like by November would have been aware of what you pointed out, this stuff isn`t state secrets, and shows the NRL had made up their minds long ago.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

[Oxford]

 

[Jim from Oz]

1 hour ago, Jim from Oz said:

There is a Sydney Daily telegraph story I can see via a google search but it's behind a paywall; can anyone open it?? As we all know, the NRL want to torpedo the RLWC:

 

Daily Telegraph

Clubs hope to avoid World Cup talk with stars

NRL clubs are hoping to torpedo the proposed Rugby League World Cup in a move which would avoid a showdown with some of the game's biggest ...

OKAY I've managed to get this story now:

 

Concerned NRL clubs are hoping crisis talks in the coming days will make a decision to postpone the World Cup and avert a potentially explosive showdown with some of the NRL’s biggest names.

There are growing fears that the push to send an Australian Indigenous and New Zealand Maori team to the end of season tournament could come at a huge cost to clubs if players suffer injury or contract Covid while away.

The fact the tournament is no longer being endorsed by the Australian and New Zealand governing bodies means it would be up to individual clubs as employers to make the call on whether or not players will be given permission to take part.

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There is no question the overwhelming consensus among clubs is that they don’t want their players going to England given the current Covid infection rates.

But it becomes a delicate conversation when you are dealing with star players such as Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr who have all publicly backed the concept.

Other names including Dane Gagai, Jack Wighton, Reece Walsh, David Fifita and Alex Johnston have been tossed up as other potential recruits for the Indigenous team.

Latrell Mitchell could be among a star-studded line-up for an Australian Indigenous team at the World Cup in England. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

On the Marori side could be the likes of Brandon Smith, Kalyn Ponga, Joey Manu and Valentine Holmes.

The idea has also got the backing of outgoing Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett who spoke passionately about the right for players to have a choice to go even though Australia and New Zealand have pulled out.

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Clubs are understandably reluctant to speak publicly and run the risk of upsetting the players at this point.

But it would be interesting to see if push comes to shove whether the players would be willing to stump the cost if they are unavailable for the start of next season.

There is also a real risk that players would not be allowed back in Australia if they get Covid while away.

But the clubs are hoping renewed speculation that talks between tournament organisers and government and rugby league officials in the UK this week will make a decision to postpone the event.

Clubs and NRL officials are also convinced players have not been fully prepped on the potential Covid dangers and the reality of the rigorous protocols they would have to adhere in England.

There are currently about 40,000 new Covid cases a day in England and up to 600,000 people every week are being told to self-isolate after coming in contact with a person with Covid.

So far this season 15 Super League games have been postponed or cancelled and there is a genuine concern they won’t be able to complete the club season.

Outgoing Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett has argued that players have a right to go to the World Cup. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Such has been the impact on the competition the Super League ladder is actually being determined on win percentages as opposed to competition points.

That gives a snapshot of the seriousness of the situation in England at the moment despite the push to forge ahead with the World Cup.

The concern for NRL clubs now is that a growing number of players with clout have made their position clear by backing the idea of sending an Indigenous team and if the tournament goes ahead it is going to be extremely difficult to tell the players they can’t go.

Addo-Carr told The Telegraph that “It would mean everything” to the players to represent an Indigenous team on the world stage.

The head of English Rugby League Simon Johnson called Australia and New Zealand’s decision to withdraw “selfish, parochial and cowardly” last week.

In response, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said keeping players in quarantine for extended periods of up to four weeks had the potential to “destroy a player’s life forever”.

Meanwhile, Rugby League Players Association president Clint Newton also hit out at Australia and New Zealand, saying the decision to withdraw was made “prematurely”.

It’s fair to say Newton’s comment caused some exasperation among many officials.

 

[Jim from Oz]

To say this is utterly ridiculous is the understatement of the day 9and why is quarantine suddenly 4 weeks???):

In response, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said keeping players in quarantine for extended periods of up to four weeks had the potential to “destroy a player’s life forever”.

[Man of Kent]

2 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

To say this is utterly ridiculous is the understatement of the day 9and why is quarantine suddenly 4 weeks???):

In response, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said keeping players in quarantine for extended periods of up to four weeks had the potential to “destroy a player’s life forever”.

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

[Henson Park Old Firm]

14 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

To say this is utterly ridiculous is the understatement of the day 9and why is quarantine suddenly 4 weeks???):

In response, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said keeping players in quarantine for extended periods of up to four weeks had the potential to “destroy a player’s life forever”.

 

yes Vlandys is doing a great job protecting his players

[Southerner]

Worth a watch. Good balanced discussion. 

[LongbridgeH]

22 minutes ago, Jim from Oz said:

To say this is utterly ridiculous is the understatement of the day 9and why is quarantine suddenly 4 weeks???):

In response, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said keeping players in quarantine for extended periods of up to four weeks had the potential to “destroy a player’s life forever”.

It’s at times like these, I think back to January this year and how the organisers of the Australian Open pleaded with tennis players to come over. Probably the weakest of the four major tournaments and they financially needed it. 
 

There was no qualms with putting hundreds of professional athletes in two week quarantine hotel rooms. Minimal practice but little support when it came to protecting injuries etc. 


That’s before I get into how it’s been perfectly acceptable for the Australian authorities to decamp Fijian and PNG players into bubbles with no concern over their ‘mental health’. 

 

[DavidM]

1 hour ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

https://twitter.com/ryanpapenhuyzen/status/1419187193227010051

 

 

papaenhuyzen could play for the dutch

Papenhuyzen for the Dutch … Aussies and Kiwis looking to heritage sides to make the World Cup .

Manfred where are you your time has come !!!!

Edited July 25, 2021 by DavidM

[Scubby]

15 minutes ago, DavidM said:

Papenhuyzen for the Dutch … Aussies and Kiwis looking to heritage sides to make the World Cup .

Manfred where are you your time has come !!!!

If these players were so concerned about their safety and welfare why are many exploring other options to get there? It doesn't make any sense. Governing bodies that are trying to stop that and not doing everything they can to fulfil their players ambitions - that is pretty sad. In fact as a RL fan it is demoralising. What do players play the game for at elite level?

Edited July 25, 2021 by Scubby

[Whippet13]

24 minutes ago, Southerner said:

Worth a watch. Good balanced discussion. 

Guy on the left quotes the incorrect Vlandys claim that NZW and Melbourne have been 'away from home" for 2 years, they haven't.

[Damien]

27 minutes ago, Southerner said:

Worth a watch. Good balanced discussion. 

The 2 blokes to Sterlings left make some good points, basically what has been said on here.

It's also good to here the lack of support for end of season rebel internationals. 

[Damien]

1 minute ago, Whippet13 said:

Guy on the left quotes the incorrect Vlandys claim that NZW and Melbourne have been 'away from home" for 2 years, they haven't.

But even if it was, where is VLandys care for player welfare there? Where was the care for player welfare when it came to resuming the NRL season at all costs and before other sports? 

[Scubby]

My guess is that the NRL want control of Aus, NZ, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG. This allows for yearly end of season competitive tournaments that all can be held in Australasia and sold to TV - giving them the proceeds. 

State of Origins ratings have fallen quite significantly in the last 2-3 years. The NRL/ARLC want another TV product to sell on top of SOO and the NRL. That is basically how International RL is viewed down under now.

All these nations then pull out of the IRL and form their own body - run by the NRL. England and France are told "this is what we are doing. You can join if you want to... if not, bye!".

2025 8-team World Cup.

Edited July 25, 2021 by Scubby

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

3 hours ago, The Rocket said:

Thought I was finished on this topic, just saw this on my news feed.

Wayne's 'double standard' warning for NRL rivals (msn.com)

"South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett believes it's not his right to "deprive" any of his Rabbitohs players of competing in the Rugby League World Cup and has warned rival NRL clubs of being guilty of "a double standard"

Given the tireless efforts of clubs to keep the NRL and State of Origin alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bennett says it'd be a matter of double standards if clubs banned players from travelling to England for the showpiece event."

Bennett`s pretty fired up in there, he`s basically saying everything that everyone has been saying on these pages, hopefully this is the public kick-up-the-###### the NRL need.

 

 

He might come over as a miserable so and so at times, but Wayne Bennett genuinely does seem th have the best interests of international rugby league at heart

[Jim from Oz]

14 minutes ago, Damien said:

But even if it was, where is VLandys care for player welfare there? Where was the care for player welfare when it came to resuming the NRL season at all costs and before other sports? 

Precisely

[Scubby]

2 minutes ago, Cumbrian Fanatic said:

He might come over as a miserable so and so at times, but Wayne Bennett genuinely does seem th have the best interests of international rugby league at heart

He also ensured that Australia and NZ won against England/GB while simultaneously pretending to care about us. Bennett is one special agent okay.

[Jim from Oz]

9 minutes ago, Scubby said:

My guess is that the NRL want control of Aus, NZ, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG. This allows for yearly end of season competitive tournaments that all can be held in Australasia and sold to TV - giving them the proceeds. 

State of Origins ratings have fallen quite significantly in the last 2-3 years. The NRL/ARLC want another TV product to sell on top of SOO and the NRL. That is basically how International RL is viewed down under now.

All these nations then pull out of the IRL and form their own body - run by the NRL. England and France are told "this is what we are doing. You can join if you want to... if not, bye!".

2025 8-team World Cup.

I reckon this is very very close to the money (especially as there's now lots of talk of NRL moaning about "heritage"  nations at RLWCs, such as Lebanon, Italy etc)

[Scubby]

Now the NRL are claiming RL can be at the 2032 Olympics - seriously?? Also claiming all the credit for the 4-years of ground work.

If it happens on the East Coast of Australia we are all over it. Anywhere else - sod off!

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/in-with-a-real-shot-why-league-is-confident-of-olympic-inclusion-in-2032-20210724-p58cle.html

 

[Whippet13]

20 minutes ago, Damien said:

But even if it was, where is VLandys care for player welfare there? Where was the care for player welfare when it came to resuming the NRL season at all costs and before other sports? 

And that was at a time when there were no vaccines and much less was know about the effects of Covid and how best to treat it.

[Jim from Oz]

26 minutes ago, Damien said:

The 2 blokes to Sterlings left make some good points, basically what has been said on here.

 

That is Andrew Webster, Sydney Morning Herald  RL reporter/sports columnist

[Dave T]

27 minutes ago, Damien said:

The 2 blokes to Sterlings left make some good points, basically what has been said on here.

It's also good to here the lack of support for end of season rebel internationals. 

Really good to see that Gould isn't typical over there. Good stuff from Sterling. He gets it. 

[Damien]

17 minutes ago, Scubby said:

My guess is that the NRL want control of Aus, NZ, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and PNG. This allows for yearly end of season competitive tournaments that all can be held in Australasia and sold to TV - giving them the proceeds. 

State of Origins ratings have fallen quite significantly in the last 2-3 years. The NRL/ARLC want another TV product to sell on top of SOO and the NRL. That is basically how International RL is viewed down under now.

All these nations then pull out of the IRL and form their own body - run by the NRL. England and France are told "this is what we are doing. You can join if you want to... if not, bye!".

2025 8-team World Cup.

I've said similar before and I think this is very close to the truth. It's basically the route they've gone down with the Pacific Tests but are scared of letting the genie out of the bottle.

[Jim from Oz]

3 minutes ago, Scubby said:

Now the NRL are claiming RL can be at the 2032 Olympics - seriously?? Also claiming all the credit for the 4-years of ground work.

If it happens on the East Coast of Australia we are all over it. Anywhere else - sod off!

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/in-with-a-real-shot-why-league-is-confident-of-olympic-inclusion-in-2032-20210724-p58cle.html

 

I know, it's staggering as it is laughable

This is an NRL coup to take over international football, nothing less