How can international rugby league recover its credibility after the humiliating cancellation of the 2025 World Cup in France?

[Jparrish]

8 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

It’s a fair shout. But if the RLPA are challenging the NRL to equal pay for all international players, then I am sure they would want to hold the RFL equally accountable, otherwise it would be a double standard of the highest order. 

So with that in mind, do you think the RFL could at least break even by hosting and suitably remunerating three pacific nations over a 4-5 week period?

If not, a bid to lock down Samoa to tour England next year should be a high and urgent priority.

If not 3 then definitely 2?

Then have France as the 4th team. NZ, SAMOA, FRANCE ENGLAND. 

 

 

[Sports Prophet]

56 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

Just thinking on this some more, the implication is that if the SH national governing bodies were to arrange their own internationals (outside of the auspices of the NRL), then they wouldn't be bound by the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement.

I assume this is why Tonga were able to arrange to come to England later this year.

New Zealand could take a lead here and set something in motion. Indeed if the ARLC were sufficiently free of NRL influence themselves, they could choose that route.

That is absolutely correct regarding Tonga, NZ and any other nation which isn’t Australia. My point is, if the players have principles for equal pay across all internationals for both male and females for NRL internationals, I wonder if they apply the same righteous principle when the NRL are not organising them?

As to the ARLC and NRL point. The two organisations are intertwined. The NRL is a section of the ARLC, not the other way around. https://www.nrl.com/about-us/

[Sports Prophet]

28 minutes ago, Jparrish said:

If not 3 then definitely 2?

Then have France as the 4th team. NZ, SAMOA, FRANCE ENGLAND. 

 

 

Yeah, I expect a four nations event would be closer to a break even point.

I agree with the inclusion of France. A stronger France is in the immediate interests of English RL.

I think we would see a marked improvement from France if they hosted England on Bastille Day in France annually, rather than a non descript mid season date in Warrington. Then have them as joint hosts of an end of season four nations. There is likely laws in France around professional sports activity taking place on Bastille Day. Not sure if it is allowed.

[Dave T]

7 hours ago, Sports Prophet said:

That is absolutely correct regarding Tonga, NZ and any other nation which isn’t Australia. My point is, if the players have principles for equal pay across all internationals for both male and females for NRL internationals, I wonder if they apply the same righteous principle when the NRL are not organising them?

As to the ARLC and NRL point. The two organisations are intertwined. The NRL is a section of the ARLC, not the other way around. https://www.nrl.com/about-us/

These things are ultimately commercial agreements. They have nowt to do with nations outside of that jurisdiction. I'm sure Tonga negotiated with the RFL about touring here and came up with a deal that allows them to pay their players effectively. 

They are probably in quite a strong position with the tests in Oz, where they can draw crowds and interest that can exceed the Kangaroos and Kiwis. It's not a surprise they don't want to be fobbed off. 

[Cumbrian Fanatic]

2 hours ago, Dave T said:

These things are ultimately commercial agreements. They have nowt to do with nations outside of that jurisdiction. I'm sure Tonga negotiated with the RFL about touring here and came up with a deal that allows them to pay their players effectively. 

They are probably in quite a strong position with the tests in Oz, where they can draw crowds and interest that can exceed the Kangaroos and Kiwis. It's not a surprise they don't want to be fobbed off. 

I hope that applies to Samoa too for next year