War of the Roses (2023 Thread)

[Wellsy4HullFC]

2 hours ago, Mumby Magic said:

Get what you are saying but surely it says enough about our sport when they don't have power.

It says a tremendous amount about our sport. What we shouldn't be doing is highlighting it to the world by organising internationals during periods that will guarantee weak selection and thus damage the reputation of the international game.

 

[Wellsy4HullFC]

2 hours ago, Mumby Magic said:

There are other broadcasters.

None have been interested or swayed by the current international fixture mid-season, have they? You're never going to get a competitive France mid-season whilst the squad are based around a small number of clubs.

Honestly, we'd be better playing the Welsh.

[gingerjon]

8 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

Missing NRL players? - Yes. As would any mid-season rep fixture (unless it's against a southern hemisphere side, which it won't be). It's a purely SL fixture.

Missing players from the rest of the country? - Every English SL club currently (and the vast majority fit the last decade) is from an area that would qualify. Chances are, a Cumbrian SL player would qualify through the club they played for first (like in NRL for SOO). Brian Carney represented Lancashire.

Nothing written here improves upon what you're aiming to replace.

Honestly, I get the cringe caused by playing a bored France at a disinterested SL ground in April (reported to be the plan for next year), but nothing about this is in any way better. You've got a not-really-Lancashire playing a not-really-Yorkshire in a format that has a history of low interest and lowering intensity. The only way it works, by anyone in favour's admission, is if there is some massive (undefined and uncosted) 'marketing' that turns this into something enough fans become interested in, over and above their Super League interests, that the players respond and put in more than they do in a Super League fixture.

[RugbyLeagueGeek]

IMO the common denominator with all of these ventures - Roses, Exiles, mid-season internationals - is that they're always done half-arsed, and then unsurprisingly aren't successful. To make any of these options successful, the RFL is going to have to commit some money/resources and take some risks. I haven't seen any evidence in recent years that they're prepared to do either for this sort of event.

[Mathius Hellwege]

16 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

How? With what power?

In a situation where we could force teams to play their best players in particular international windows set up credible international tournaments, I'd be massively in favour of internationals and wouldn't even suggest Roses.

But we can't. We have to be strategic with the situation we're in. Setting up fixtures for ideal situations that don't materialise isn't strategic.

he wants to make fun about RL

[Mathius Hellwege]

13 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

None have been interested or swayed by the current international fixture mid-season, have they? You're never going to get a competitive France mid-season whilst the squad are based around a small number of clubs.

Honestly, we'd be better playing the Welsh.

because they even have less goof players and because the Welsh TV contract is more realistic and much more bigger than the French one?

[Wellsy4HullFC]

11 minutes ago, Mathius Hellwege said:

because they even have less goof players and because the Welsh TV contract is more realistic and much more bigger than the French one?

No, because their players are spread amongst SL clubs rather than concentrated in one. Might encourage a few to switch allegiance from England.

Having one mid-season international is not going to get a French TV contract, especially if they don't bother fielding their best players.

[JonM]

18 hours ago, bobbruce said:

Why would Carney represent Lancashire. 

Because there aren't 13 professional RL players who have Lancashire written on their birth certificate?

Semi-serious suggestion. England play Rob Burrow's XVII (could have a different name - MND Fighters or whatever). The latter can select anyone who isn't in the England squad - too old/ young/unwanted by England, French, Welsh, Aussie, Kiwi, Islander etc. Played at Headingley every year. Some proportion of the ticket price goes to an MND charity. Anyone who plays for the Burrow team becomes.a permanent member of the club, other people can pay to become a non-playing member. Profits from jerseys sales etc. go to charity. It'd be a bit of an exhibition game, but then so is England sticking 80 on France or Wales. 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by JonM

[sam4731]

15 minutes ago, JonM said:

Because there aren't 13 professional RL players who have Lancashire written on their birth certificate?

Semi-serious suggestion. England play Rob Burrow's XVII (could have a different name - MND Fighters or whatever). The latter can select anyone who isn't in the England squad - too old/ young/unwanted by England, French, Welsh, Aussie, Kiwi, Islander etc. Played at Headingley every year. Some proportion of the ticket price goes to an MND charity. Anyone who plays for the Burrow team becomes.a permanent member of the club, other people can pay to become a non-playing member. Profits from jerseys sales etc. go to charity. It'd be a bit of an exhibition game, but then so is England sticking 80 on France or Wales. 

 

 

I actually don't mind this. If we're going to market something, this would be an easier sell to the wider public. I know 'exploiting' Rob's condition is a bit murky but as long as it does good, I think it's OK.

Could calling it 'Rugby Aid' make it more appealing to a FTA broadcaster?

[Wellsy4HullFC]

19 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

I actually don't mind this. If we're going to market something, this would be an easier sell to the wider public. I know 'exploiting' Rob's condition is a bit murky but as long as it does good, I think it's OK.

Could calling it 'Rugby Aid' make it more appealing to a FTA broadcaster?

Rugby Aid 

Rob Burrow's White Rose XIII vs Kevin Sinfield's Red Rose XIII

Like it.

 

[Mumby Magic]

32 minutes ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

Rugby Aid 

Rob Burrow's White Rose XIII vs Kevin Sinfield's Red Rose XIII

Like it.

 

Tbh Rugby League needs first aid at the moment.

[ghost crayfish]

A very good idea, except I wouldn't go too hard on the charity angle given rugby league needs to keep every broadcast and sponsorship cent it makes from any new product it introduces...

[gingerjon]

13 hours ago, JonM said:

Because there aren't 13 professional RL players who have Lancashire written on their birth certificate?

Semi-serious suggestion. England play Rob Burrow's XVII (could have a different name - MND Fighters or whatever). The latter can select anyone who isn't in the England squad - too old/ young/unwanted by England, French, Welsh, Aussie, Kiwi, Islander etc. Played at Headingley every year. Some proportion of the ticket price goes to an MND charity. Anyone who plays for the Burrow team becomes.a permanent member of the club, other people can pay to become a non-playing member. Profits from jerseys sales etc. go to charity. It'd be a bit of an exhibition game, but then so is England sticking 80 on France or Wales. 

 

 

If the aim is to have a fun evening (day), a bit of a jolly, and (possibly) raise some money after expenses, then why not?

If the aim is to do literally anything else then no.