Rugby League World Cup 2021 (Merged Threads)

[Gerrumonside ref]

I’d like to see England vs France in wheelchair rugby league.

[MattSantos]

Just now, Gerrumonside ref said:

Not sure, but it does seem like playing France in France would be better for them and more challenging for us.

Exactly. Especially if Catalan do well and Toulouse get promoted. Build on that momentum.. 

[welshmagpie]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

 Ben flower was heavily involved iirc. Decent crowd and game too I think

Yeah it wasn’t too bad a game. Crowd was fantastic given it was played in far northern France. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

5 minutes ago, MattSantos said:

Exactly. Especially if Catalan do well and Toulouse get promoted. Build on that momentum.. 

Yes, it all sounds good if we can do it at late notice and convince the best broadcaster possible to pick up the game(s).

The BBC may yet want a World Cup alternate based on these shores and so might sponsors - it needs to work financially too.

I do think wheelchair rugby league could also find a space especially as England and France are at a very high standard.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Gerrumonside ref

[rlno1]

13 hours ago, yanto said:

Mates down under reckon 2022 before they even THINK ABOUT travel.

Going to get the same next year.

So now they get a ANZAC / Pacific test series in November and the NH get a game against  France at Leigh.

England may play in Leigh, but Australia will play in Campbelltown or Penrith. 

[Matterhorn]

At least Australia can play SOO next year & work on there combinations to be ready for the World Cup.

Then we'll hear the commentators say 'Australia is rolling through there opposition today like a well oiled machine.'

Well if you play SOO 3 years in a row and no one else it does give you a leg up

[Damien]

1 hour ago, MattSantos said:

There we go again! Tell us, do you want the sport to fail? Because if it does in Aus, as you have clearly said you want, as a commercial enterprise it fails in the north of England, too. 

At the moment when the NRL is doing its upmost to make the sport to fail internationally and do not give a damn about the consequences, with some fans and pundits in Australia relishing this, you cant blame people if they aren't too enamoured with the NRL.

I was always of the opinion that a strong NRL would be great for the game. A rising tide lifts all ships and all that. I thought the NRL becoming the most powerful Rugby league of either code would be great for the game and would allow the game to fight RU and would keep our stars in the game. Yet in recent years the NRL has done more damage than RU could ever do and proposes to do even more going forward. There is zero benefit to a strong NRL for the rest of the game if the NRL abuses that position to strangle and stifle the international game. Similarly there is zero benefit to all these PI players if the PI nations are never allowed to play games.

The perverse thing is that the game has never been stronger internationally from a player and team point of view but is now weaker than it has ever been. That is solely down to the actions of the NRL.

[Damien]

1 hour ago, MattSantos said:

Can someone tell me, if the WC went ahead as planned and England won it, when is their next game and who against?

Is there a calendar in play to take us to the next one?

England and NZ tried to do their own thing with the Denver test to remove their reliance on Australia and develop their own thing. That wasn't even good enough for the NRL who did all they could do sabotage that and ensure it would never take place again. The NZRL were thoroughly admonished and judging by the World Cup will never cross Australia again.

[JohnM]

Others may feel and act differently of course but this is my position. I will continue to watch on TV as many International, SL and NRL games as I can, and attend as many games in person where my health and personal Covid safety considerations allow. To do otherwise is in my view to submit to the bullying of Vlandis and Gould and proving them right.

Of course, it's difficult not to feel anger, betrayal and disgust at the forces of cant and hypocrisy from Vlandis and Gould and co but i would not stoop so low as to send both of  them by post  a White feather in an envelope addressed "Private and confidential for the personal attention of Mr P Gould"

[Derwent]

2 hours ago, Dave T said:

So speaks an RL fan who refuses to enjoy RL, but it was credible in the sense of ebobg properly organised, full teams, national TV coverage etc. 

Game at Hull KR mind. 

What is enjoyable about one sided RL games ? When played between two fairly evenly matched teams then RL is the best game on the planet to watch, but when played between two completely mismatched teams then it is one of the worst.

[Dave T]

8 minutes ago, Derwent said:

What is enjoyable about one sided RL games ? When played between two fairly evenly matched teams then RL is the best game on the planet to watch, but when played between two completely mismatched teams then it is one of the worst.

Other sports do manage to stage games that are foregone conclusions. I understand the point, and it will clearly be less attractive than a close game - but I disagree with your claims that it is not credible, just because it is not close. 

[gingerjon]

5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Other sports do manage to stage games that are foregone conclusions.

England football's next game at Wembley is against Andorra.

I presume the FA aren't even bothering to sell tickets.

[rlno1]

Shane Richardson's plan for international league, part of his recent report. He is a News Corp stooge and they are now partners of the NRL and looking to control the game.

I see every 4th year is a lay off for all players, instead of a World Cup maybe?????????

 

 

[Exiled Wiganer]

37 minutes ago, JohnM said:

Others may feel and act differently of course but this is my position. I will continue to watch on TV as many International, SL and NRL games as I can, and attend as many games in person where my health and personal Covid safety considerations allow. To do otherwise is in my view to submit to the bullying of Vlandis and Gould and proving them right.

Of course, it's difficult not to feel anger, betrayal and disgust at the forces of cant and hypocrisy from Vlandis and Gould and co but i would not stoop so low as to send both of  them by post  a White feather in an envelope addressed "Private and confidential for the personal attention of Mr P Gould"

I won’t be watching the NRL any time soon, but of course each ti their own. We should put NRL threads into cross code, given that they have their own rules on and off the pitch.

[Damien]

3 minutes ago, rlno1 said:

Shane Richardson's plan for international league, part of his recent report. He is a News Corp stooge and they are now partners of the NRL and looking to control the game.

I see every 4th year is a lay off for all players, instead of a World Cup maybe?????????

 

 

That becomes more pathetic everytime I look at it. 2, 3, 4, 5 is purely to benefit the NRL and has no positive effect on international RL.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Damien

[rlno1]

Actually they may want a World Cup but one in which they control, this is the agenda we have all suspected:

Quote

Once this is established we need to tie this into the international games (IG). This is my understanding of the history that creates many of the blockages today. The International Rugby League (IRL) is a body that should have an important role in the development of the international game. It doesn't. The breakdown started a long time ago when the ARL controlled and dominated the IG. They were not about growing the game but more concerned about the ARL and their clubs. Vested interests, blazers and overseas trips. It left a bitter taste in the RFL's mouth and justifiably so. When they had the opportunity to get the numbers and control, it was hardly surprising that they tried to set up a system of control in the Northern Hemisphere despite 75% of players being in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia's apathy for and mistrust in the management allowed them to control the system. They appointed a CEO based in London with no knowledge of the game or its politics. He was simply a puppet of the management’s “vision”. It became commercial suicide. Pouring money into European nations for little or no return. International games which were all mostly about money and political support, but in reality lost enormous amounts of money and smashed the IRL’s credibility with the ARLC. The World Cup is the only event that has kept the IRL afloat and it is in jeopardy. The reality is that 75% of participants in rugby league come from Australia, NZ and the Pacific Islands. To be fair, the investment of the ARLC in NZ and the Pacific Islands has fostered the game and improved it dramatically in those areas.This could not have been done without the support of the NRL clubs. To say that they don't support the IG is rubbish. What they don't support is the constant requests for their players without consultation and a business plan for IGs going forward. We need to create an international calendar which includes Tests, Origin, World Cup, Development Internationals and 9s. It should be a four year map incorporated in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere calendars

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by rlno1

[rlno1]

Was the puppet CEO? David Collier?

Edited August 4, 2021 by rlno1

[David Dockhouse Host]

3 hours ago, MattSantos said:

Yeah, thats how i decide to spend my time... if i go to this event, will it show 'defiance' to people who really dont care.

 

Comment was a bit tongue in cheek  

Joking aside I think we find reasons not to attend, if we really wanted to we would. I'm hopeful there's an appetite for this type of thing but I imagine we would only truely find out should it ever happen 

[Dunbar]

37 minutes ago, rlno1 said:

Shane Richardson's plan for international league, part of his recent report. He is a News Corp stooge and they are now partners of the NRL and looking to control the game.

I see every 4th year is a lay off for all players, instead of a World Cup maybe?????????

 

 

This would be my version:

1. International Rugby League is the pinnacle of the game and should be the first priority when deciding on the games' seasons and calendar in both Australasia and Europe.

2. The World Cup - to be held every 4 years - is the largest and most important tournament and so all planning should start with these events secured and scheduled for at least the following 12 years.  The World Cup should be scheduled at the end of the Southern and Northern Hemisphere seasons.

3.  At least one Four Nations tournament to be held in each of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres between World Cup cycles and again played at the end of the regular seasons.  England, New Zealand and Australia to participate and European or Oceanic Cups can be played simultaneously with the winners eligible for the next 4 Nations in their Hemisphere.

4.  Individual tests or test series between nations can be scheduled mid season or at season end if there is no scheduled World Cup or 4 Nations.

5. Player welfare must be considered and all international games should take priority over club games.  Club games should not be scheduled to conflict with internationals if the internationals are played mid season.  Players should not play a representative game and club game in the same week to avoid fatigue and ensure that they do not play more games than their club colleagues.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Dunbar

[Damien]

This is ultimately why I think the postponement rumours will turn out to be true. The NRL threats and pressure have just been too much. Full credit to the 3 guys that have put their hands up so far :

Fiji Bati Head Coach, Joe Rabele confirms that three NRL players have contacted them regarding the Rugby League World Cup.

Rabele named an extended squad on Monday and gave players until Friday to confirm whether they can make the trip to England with the Bati.

Since yesterday only three out of the 15 NRL players have put their hands up for Bati duties which includes Bulldogs halfback Brandon Wakeham, Storm winger Isaac Lumelume and Warriors prop Kane Evans.

With Australia and New Zealand pulling out of the World Cup, Rabele is not sure whether other NRL players will be allowed to play for their countries.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/rugby-league/three-nrl-players-confirm-availability/

[jim_57]

1 hour ago, rlno1 said:

Shane Richardson's plan for international league, part of his recent report. He is a News Corp stooge and they are now partners of the NRL and looking to control the game.

I see every 4th year is a lay off for all players, instead of a World Cup maybe?????????

 

 

That is laughable. Australia V NZ V England twice in 4 years? Is it 2003? We are finally in a position where Tonga, Fiji, Samoa & PNG could spring upsets against ‘the big 3’ on their day, a position we could only dream on 10 years ago. Should be a 4 nations at the very very least.

In saying that I think England should focus closer to home for a while, try and play 5-6 internationals a year in 20k+ stadia. Aim to bring France along with at least 2 games a year in the short term and put plans in place to help Wales and other promising European nations (and Jamaica) develop players long term.

[Exiled Wiganer]

“The World Cup is the only event which has kept the IRL afloat...” 

That is completely disingenuous. The World Cup makes the money which supports the international game (with its 60 odd members). It is the most successful event the game has had in over 100 years, and has allowed many players to play for their countries and many countries to benefit. As well as that, it generates enough money to subsidise the rest of the calendar. 

“And it is in jeopardy.” 

Because of the 4 minute warning NRL. 

So, to tweak this for accuracy, the World Cup has been an unqualified success, allowing the IG to grow as never before, and so we will crush it. 

[Davo5]

Says it all really 

https://bit.ly/3A62ZfD

[Tommygilf]

12 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Says it all really 

https://bit.ly/3A62ZfD

That is an absolutely fantastic article.

[Northern Eel]

20 minutes ago, Davo5 said:

Says it all really 

https://bit.ly/3A62ZfD

Brilliant article. 

Phil Gould. The man makes me sick.