England vs Samoa Series

[Damien]

25 minutes ago, BristolDevonCharlie said:

Probed Brad Walter (IRL Media Manager and NRL Senior Reporter) for an update on the end of the year....

The continual a lot of work being done line is just a load of bull. They always love to make this stuff sound as complicated as possible to justify having little to show.

[Sports Prophet]

18 minutes ago, Damien said:

The continual a lot of work being done line is just a load of bull. They always love to make this stuff sound as complicated as possible to justify having little to show.

Yeah, lots of work, lots of shwork, it’s not that bloody hard.

There is obviously some severe hesitancy and in turn negotiating going on which I doubt the NRL wanted to be a part of, but have been dragged into it over Samoa’s unwillingness to go and the debt we hear they owe the RFL.

Edited May 28, 2024 by Sports Prophet

[Northern Eel]

I’m not able to disclose my source, but I’m near certain arrangements are in place and will be announced in the next two weeks. 

[welshmagpie]

On 30/05/2024 at 12:33, Northern Eel said:

I’m not able to disclose my source, but I’m near certain arrangements are in place and will be announced in the next two weeks. 

Here’s hoping we also get the following in tow:

- 2024 Pacific Championship details

- RLWC Qualifiers details for Europe 

[Hopie]

On 30/05/2024 at 12:33, Northern Eel said:

I’m not able to disclose my source, but I’m near certain arrangements are in place and will be announced in the next two weeks. 

Any ideas when the games are likely to be played?

[Northern Eel]

49 minutes ago, Hopie said:

Any ideas when the games are likely to be played?

Usual post-grand final timescale I believe. I know one of the venues, the location of which won't come as a surprise to anyone. The other two, not sure.

[Hopie]

Just now, Northern Eel said:

Usual post-grand final timescale I believe. I know one of the venues, the location of which won't come as a surprise to anyone. The other two, not sure.

Hope that means a week off between the Grand final and the series, but three games is a good sign.

[Archie Gordon]

3 games! Ambassador, you're really spoiling us!

[crashmon]

1 hour ago, Northern Eel said:

Usual post-grand final timescale I believe. I know one of the venues, the location of which won't come as a surprise to anyone. The other two, not sure.

Looking forward to buying my Tickets for the wed night test at the LSV then.   Wonder where the other two will be at.

[Hopie]

On 30/05/2024 at 12:33, Northern Eel said:

I’m not able to disclose my source, but I’m near certain arrangements are in place and will be announced in the next two weeks. 

THEY SHOULD ANNOUNCE THE GAMES AT WEMBLEY LIVE ON BBC ONE

[ATLANTISMAN]

10 hours ago, crashmon said:

Looking forward to buying my Tickets for the wed night test at the LSV then.   Wonder where the other two will be at.

Take your pick from anywhere along the M62

[Northern Eel]

11 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

3 games! Ambassador, you're really spoiling us!

Well actually, I don’t know that for sure, but it seems that way. Sorry for the cryptic notes, but it’s unfair on my source to share anymore. Just be glad there’s a tour, for the time being. 

[BristolDevonCharlie]

10 hours ago, crashmon said:

Looking forward to buying my Tickets for the wed night test at the LSV then.   Wonder where the other two will be at.

Well, thank goodness that wouldn't happen. Absolutely no way you would get away with a Sat, Wed, Sat of Internationals these days. 

I assume, if it is three Tests, we are looking at Wigan, Headingley and Hull (after Huddersfield was awful last year). Shame if no London.

For NZ in 2027 and Australia in 2028 it would be good to get Brentford and Spurs respectively (the latter as planned in 2020). 

[Damien]

1 hour ago, Northern Eel said:

Well actually, I don’t know that for sure, but it seems that way. Sorry for the cryptic notes, but it’s unfair on my source to share anymore. Just be glad there’s a tour, for the time being. 

You're not being unfair, you've not actually shared anything that hasn't already been said anyway. We know a tour is being arranged, we know it will be after the Grand Final, when they always are, and one of the venues not being a shock to anyone is hardly a surprise to any RL fan.

[Tommygilf]

8 hours ago, BristolDevonCharlie said:

Well, thank goodness that wouldn't happen. Absolutely no way you would get away with a Sat, Wed, Sat of Internationals these days. 

I assume, if it is three Tests, we are looking at Wigan, Headingley and Hull (after Huddersfield was awful last year). Shame if no London.

For NZ in 2027 and Australia in 2028 it would be good to get Brentford and Spurs respectively (the latter as planned in 2020). 

Fwiw, I think NZ are as big of a draw in London as Australia. The brand of NZ Rugby is much bigger than the Kangaroos now.

[Riggerswrlfc]

On 01/06/2024 at 19:11, Northern Eel said:

Usual post-grand final timescale I believe. I know one of the venues, the location of which won't come as a surprise to anyone. The other two, not sure.

Wigan and Leeds .... ? 

[Riggerswrlfc]

15 hours ago, Northern Eel said:

Well actually, I don’t know that for sure, but it seems that way. Sorry for the cryptic notes, but it’s unfair on my source to share anymore. Just be glad there’s a tour, for the time being. 

Last I heard was it was 2 games , one at Wigan and one at Leeds imagine a 3rd will be v someone else ? Lebanon ? 

Edited June 2, 2024 by Riggerswrlfc

[rlno1]

On 02/06/2024 at 03:09, welshmagpie said:

Here’s hoping we also get the following in tow:

- 2024 Pacific Championship details

- RLWC Qualifiers details for Europe 

https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fnrl-secures-bid-for-event/

 

Fiji Rugby League scene is set to take center stage this year, as Fiji National Rugby League acting chief executive Don Natabe has unveiled Fiji to host five nations in the upcoming Pacific Championships.

He said it would be held in the Sugar City of Lautoka.

This month-long rugby league festival was scheduled to captivate audiences from late October to November, promising an electrifying display of talent.

Natabe is particularly excited about the prospects of the Fiji Bati and Fiji Bulikula competing in front of their home crowd.

He aims to incorporate Fiji Residents matches into the mix, providing a platform for local talents to shine.

“It will be a busy year, the path is a lot clearer now, our national head coach is looking to work with local coaches to hopefully secure six players from the Vodafone Cup directly into the Fiji Bati and Fiji Bulikula,” said Natabe.

“I’m truly encouraged by the progress and growth of Rugby League in Fiji, we’ve got some outstanding players making their mark, and the pool of young talent is really promising.”

As preparations for the Pacific Championships gather momentum, the anticipation for a grand sporting spectacle in Lautoka continues to build.

 

Edited June 3, 2024 by rlno1

[Mathius Hellwege]

five nations is strange, as there are seven nations playing,

minus Samoa in England would mean one is missing out or are there games in AUS/NZ which would make sense....but ist does not fit to two 3N tournaments like last year

 

typical RL stuff

[Damien]

1 hour ago, rlno1 said:

https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/fnrl-secures-bid-for-event/

 

Fiji Rugby League scene is set to take center stage this year, as Fiji National Rugby League acting chief executive Don Natabe has unveiled Fiji to host five nations in the upcoming Pacific Championships.

He said it would be held in the Sugar City of Lautoka.

This month-long rugby league festival was scheduled to captivate audiences from late October to November, promising an electrifying display of talent.

Natabe is particularly excited about the prospects of the Fiji Bati and Fiji Bulikula competing in front of their home crowd.

He aims to incorporate Fiji Residents matches into the mix, providing a platform for local talents to shine.

“It will be a busy year, the path is a lot clearer now, our national head coach is looking to work with local coaches to hopefully secure six players from the Vodafone Cup directly into the Fiji Bati and Fiji Bulikula,” said Natabe.

“I’m truly encouraged by the progress and growth of Rugby League in Fiji, we’ve got some outstanding players making their mark, and the pool of young talent is really promising.”

As preparations for the Pacific Championships gather momentum, the anticipation for a grand sporting spectacle in Lautoka continues to build.

 

That's good to hear. I think Residents teams at all age levels have a big role to play in giving players from the PI nations a chance to shine and represent their country. 

[Barley Mow]

1 hour ago, Mathius Hellwege said:

five nations is strange, as there are seven nations playing,

minus Samoa in England would mean one is missing out or are there games in AUS/NZ which would make sense....but ist does not fit to two 3N tournaments like last year

 

typical RL stuff

I suspect it will be the same/similar to what we had in Port Moresby last year - Pacific Bowl - Fiji, PNG & Cook Islands and then a Women's competition featuring different teams as well to make up five nations in total over the men and women.

Like last year - Pacific Cup (and associated women's games) taking place in Australia/NZ

Edited June 3, 2024 by Barley Mow

[ATLANTISMAN]

22 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

Fwiw, I think NZ are as big of a draw in London as Australia. The brand of NZ Rugby is much bigger than the Kangaroos now.

New Zealand are by far the bigger draw in London go back to 2015 v 2016 London tests 

[Damien]

8 minutes ago, ATLANTISMAN said:

New Zealand are by far the bigger draw in London go back to 2015 v 2016 London tests 

The NZ one was the first RL match at the Olympic Stadium and many people would have gone for that reason, as is often the case. A lot of people also didn't go back the following year after realising what a ###### stadium it was. Its not as simple as you are trying to make out. 

Edited June 3, 2024 by Damien

[Tommygilf]

31 minutes ago, Damien said:

The NZ one was the first RL match at the Olympic Stadium and many people would have gone for that reason, as is often the case. A lot of people also didn't go back the following year after realising what a ###### stadium it was. Its not as simple as you are trying to make out. 

It isn't as simple as that, but I do think the Kangaroos aren't a massively bigger or different draw to the Kiwis.

[ATLANTISMAN]

1 hour ago, Damien said:

The NZ one was the first RL match at the Olympic Stadium and many people would have gone for that reason, as is often the case. A lot of people also didn't go back the following year after realising what a ###### stadium it was. Its not as simple as you are trying to make out. 

Its so bad WHU pack it out every match and MLB also.