England's Sam Burgess, centre, is tackled by France's Sebastien Raguin, right, during their Four Nations rugby league match at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, England, Friday Oct. 23, 2009. AP Photo/Jon Super
There is a strange symmetry between environmentalists and rugby league fans at the moment with both groups pinning their hopes and dreams for the future on some meetings being held by their respective world leaders.
Leeds hasn’t seen a makeshift tent city spring up filled with rugby league fans demanding action and binding agreements, but it will be the centre of the rugby league universe when the executive body of the Rugby League International Federation meet there on Monday.
The group have already met once during the Four Nations, in Paris on Monday, and like so many environmental meetings in the past the debate was described as ‘cordial and robust’ but ultimately no item was ratified.
It had been reported in various publications and websites that a new agreement had been reached on international eligibility.
However, this is incorrect.
A new system was agreed upon as an alternative to the status quo, but it was not ratified to replace the current system.
Currently, players who qualify for multiple countries can ‘flip’ their chosen country once every two years.
So, for example, Fui Fui Moi Moi and Taniela Tuiaki were deemed ineligible to play for Tonga at the 2008 World Cup because they already played a World Cup qualifier for Tonga and then flipped to New Zealand. And their efforts to then switch back for knocked on the head by the courts.
The new system is set to clear up a lot of the confusion by restricting players to one switch once a World Cup cycle.
So, for example, Joe Bloggs can play a World Cup qualifier for Tonga, but should he then play for New Zealand in an ANZAC test, he cannot play again for Tonga until after the next World Cup final.
However, because Australia, England and New Zealand don’t play qualifiers, players who miss out on selection for these countries can then represent another country they are eligible for at the World Cup. Jarryd Hayne for Fiji for example.
An attempt to restrict each member state to one seat on the board was also rejected as Australia sort to maintain their two seats.
Currently, Colin Love holds the position of Chairman and David Gallop that of Secretary.
That Australia holds two spots is a hangover from the Super League, and it is believed that once Australia introduces a Independent Commission, they will return to holding one seat.
On Monday, the commercial aspect of the RLIF will be discussed with the two key questions for the debate being the format for the next World Cup and the continuing commercial approach of the Four Nations.
Debate rages as to whether the optimum number for World Cup numbers lies at 12 or 16 teams and then how the tournament should be structured.
The commercial question central to the Four Nations is how best to manage a tournament that moves hemispheres every 12 months.
While tournaments such as the Six Nations have the benefit of being held at the same time and the same place every year, the Four Nations must work out how to sell the fact that every 12 months, the tournament moves to the other side of the world and to the wee hours of the night for sponsors and broadcasters.
The aim will be to package the tournament in a way to lock in sponsors for three to four years.
League’s deal makers will be guided by (and no doubt inspired by) the story of cricket.
In 1995, the revenue for the International Cricket Council (ICC) was in the region of $400,000. In 2007 the ICC sold its 2008-2015 broadcasting and sponsorship rights for around $1.6 billion dollars.
Obviously there were other variables at play, yet the importance of good governance and a structured international calendar cannot be understated.
Environmentalists who face a wash out in Copenhagen are now claiming that ‘slow progress is still progress’ and perhaps this is the right mantra for rugby league.
That said if there was one area that rugby league had looked to join the world’s elite, it would be in the ability for its ruling body to self-reward.
For too long, rugby league was seen as the working man’s game and deals were done over a Chinese meal with half a carton on VB throwdowns placed on the lazy susan.
At least the choice of restaurant these days and the accompanying wine bill show that league has joined the big boys.
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Paul J said | November 7th 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Great article Steve.
The independent commission can not come soon enough.
A consistent international schedule will give RL internationals more credibility which fans want to see.
Bay35Pablo said | November 7th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Proper eligibility rules would give more credibility. Pick a team basically!!!
Pippinu said | November 7th 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Interesting analogy.
I would argue that Leaguies are down to Earth people who are well grounded.
Greenies care about the Earth, with their heads in the clouds, and could occasinally do with having their collective heads pushed into that very same Earth, for a bit of a reality check.
Dare I say that if these high level League talks are deemed more successful than Copenhagen – that would not be saying a whole lot!!
I should add that a sport like League does far more for the average Australian than any Greenie could ever hope to do.
collin said | November 7th 2009 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
what does it do???? introduce fear into women?
The Answer said | November 7th 2009 @ 7:29pm | Report comment
I dare say this probably isn’t the right forum for you to express your political beliefs Pip, for the most part, we just aren’t interested in your political musings. I’m sure there is a talkback radio host who would love to chat with you.
Pippinu said | November 7th 2009 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
Gee whiz – I thought it was precisely my political musings that drew people to the Roar.
Sam M said | November 7th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Pick a country and stick to it, shouldn’t be too hard, eligability should be easy – your own country. They’re mercenaries for their clubs, and that is fine, it is all about the money. But international sport should be about representing the country that is closest to your heart…
lauboy said | November 7th 2009 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
So what does that say about a player like Jarryd Hayne?
He rediscovered his passion for league as a member of the Fiji RLWC squad yet there he is playing for the Kangaroos!!
What a mercenary!!
(Ditto Michael Jennings)
Sam M said | November 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
I’m not sure what your point is? But if he rediscovered his ‘passion’ playing for Fiji and they have given him the chance, and apparently he felt ‘Fijian’ enough to represent them why is now allowed to change teams instantly? Fiji sure could have used him in the Pacific Cup qualifiers, maybe they’d be playing in the Four Nations next year? Instead they lost… It is a policy that will simply continue to favour Australia and New Zealand, to the determent of the few other countries in the world that could field decent Rugby League teams…
Isn’t international sport about national pride and passion?
Billo said | November 7th 2009 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
If he wasn’t able to change countries he wouldn’t even have played for Fiji.
It’s fairly obvious that in rugby league there are different tiers of international competition, and the priority facing the sport is to develop more countries that can play at the top tier.
The reality is that many players qualify potentially for more than one country, and that is true of almost any sport you care to mention these days.
So why shouldn’t a player who isn’t selected for, say, Australia or New Zealand for a competition at the highest tier be able to play for another country that reflects his heritage in a competition like the Pacific Cup?
If it helps develop the game it has to be a good thing, and at long last rugby league seems to be coming round to the view that international development points to a positive future for the code.
oikee said | November 7th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
I have thought about this alot, and yes we all want to see the island nations get stronger, but they wont get stronger by being flogged 100 nil. The pacific cup and the continuous infux of island players into the nrl is making them stronger. Watching the Cook Islands in the cup, Fharley said his team was made up of lots of under 20 toyota cup players. The Papuans were in the end, way to strong for the island teams, hence why they made the super pool last year. PNG are the best placed team to mix it with the big 4 nations. So we must keep giving them their chance, and a 4 nation berth is vital for them.
The south of England and France should be the next 2 areas we work hard to improve, thats our future. They can bring Wales Ireland and Scotland along for the ride. This is happening, their has been slight murmers about another French Team into super league. The sooner the better. Another good post Steve, becoming common with you.
Sam M said | November 7th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
I have no issue with PNG getting the spot over any other team. After all they are everyones second team. And yes you’re right that the Cook Islands was made up almost entirely of under-20′s players. Speaks volumes about their future on this stage… a very real short at qualifying for the next World Cup. Especially it it is expanded to 12 teams as it should be.
But seriously how does allowing players like Hayne et al to pick and chose countries going to benefit the Islands? Australia and New Zealand have enough talent as it is. The real problem is how do you overcome State of Origin, the desire to play in that and still remaining eligable for your country?
On your comments regarding Europe, the biggest mistake the Super League made was removing promotion and relegation. How are more teams going to join the Super League now? If another team from London and another team from the sud de France join they will increase their competition to 16 teams… a 30 week home and away calander. A little to big for me… Instead the entire British Rugby League system should go back to promotion and relegation and invite, permanently, teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France to join from the bottom and build their way up.
oikee said | November 7th 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Sam, they still have Relagatiion, only every 3 years now so teams have a chance of improving. And by the sound of it Wakefeild might be the 1st to be relagated in 2 years. Every 3 years 2 teams get relagated. So this wont change because like you said, with more areas playing league it gives the likes of maybe a team from Ireland or Scotland a future chance of making super league, which should be extended to 16 teams.
France need to get at least 3 teams into the comp one day, this will make them a very strong force, not that they are not now. I have been impressed with their performance so far.
So to answer your question, relagation was extended to 3 years, “from 1″, so clubs would not go broke trying to buy players in their 1st year. And promotion is the next best placed 2 teams from the co-op comp. And the other nations have a massive reason to make super league. Its a very good system.
Tom Alexander. said | November 7th 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
International Rugby League will never reach it’s full potential until the last of the dinosaurs are swept out of office, otherwise we will be kidding ourselves if we think that our International game will truly go places. FFS, the I.R.L.F can’t even be bothered to update their website. And this in 2009 of the new Millenium. The Claytons rule changes once again favour the big sides. They can basically cherry pick who they want when it suites them. Hayne and Jennings are perfect examples. The ARL didn’t want them for last years World Cup, now because they have regained some form, sorry Fiji and Tonga, but we will now have them back thank you very much. In all honesty, if Tonga, Samoa and Fiji had all of their NRL and Super-League stars available and out on the paddock, they would blow PNG away. Last years rediculous World Cup format was an opportunity lost for International Rugby League. Get rid of the dinosaurs, they have held the game back enough.
oikee said | November 7th 2009 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Tom, nice to hear from you, and dont get me wrong, i agree, the dino’s need moving on, but if you think we can just create a international agenda with those teams involved you are kidding me. Look, to be honest Australia is the glue holding the international scene together at the moment, we just cant expect players to hang around and play rugby league if you dont allow opportunities for players like Jennings and Hayne.
What are you going to do? Tell them they cant play so then they can go join Fiji, or Samoa, Why would they bother, even Samoa is touring Europe in Rugby Union. So they would just convert to Union. Their is alot more behind the scenes trying to hold our game together. What we have now is nearly 5 competitive teams, the rest are 2 pegs below, What do you want them to do, throw Lebanon into a pool group with Australia and maybe France.? What would that acheive, you would probably be the 1st one on the blog saying what a joke.they got beaten 100 nil, I love the way things are going, and i also like the way the minnows get a taste of World cup action, without getting their pants pulled down. Remember , australia put 50 on the Fijians in the semi, and they had a pretty good team.
Please just give them time, and the other nations can improve slowly at their own pace. And become more popular by doing so, its a mistake that was made 20 years ago, lets not go back their.