Comments on: Future has never been brighter for rugby league http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/ The Roar is a sports opinion website. We tackle sports opinion rather than simply sports news. And we embed user-generated content — in the form of articles and comments — into the fabric of the site. Featuring some of the best sports writers in Australia — including the Sydney Morning Herald's Spiro Zavos — The Roar aims to be the leading sports website in Australia. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:30:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: jus de couchon http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260928 jus de couchon Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:41:27 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260928 Oike your comments are symptematic of leagues idiotic marketing policy. If Quins were allowed to develop and grow thru a difficult time they may prosper. London Force? Do you work for the RFL? Here in England the game is run by people who are more concerned with selling a product rather than a sport. Oike your comments are symptematic of leagues idiotic marketing policy. If Quins were allowed to develop and grow thru a difficult time they may prosper. London Force? Do you work for the RFL? Here in England the game is run by people who are more concerned with selling a product rather than a sport.

]]> By: Crosscoder http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260813 Crosscoder Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:17:52 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260813 Ian Noble.Agree with the validity of all your points. My remit is solely based on the experience in oz,with union going openly pro,and rl has thrived regardless. I do note however that without the largesse of TV monies many codes througout this world,would be struggling.Union,and rl in Australia,who knows? NFL? Even the Crusaders lost $800,000 last year in the spiritual home of NZ ru,despite Tv monies. The RFL may well have jumped the gun in expanding too early in places like Wales and London,but doing so has enabled youngsters whether at school or junior level in these pioneer areas,something to aspire to.Much easier to sell the game at grassroots with a team in situ. Les Catalans is a no brainer ,a good move and laying the foundations for further expansions in France.I suggest once a more than competitive France has emerged from its current sleep,the game will go ahead in leaps and bounds.Why? Internationals,that is where the real biscuits are,as any ru man worth his salt knows. As to where the rl in the UK will get the money.Well the 29m pounds the code secured in Sport England grants for the next 4 years is a good starter,as is the continued profitibality of the RFL.Plus despite the cynicism by some,the 4 nations was apparently on budget and returned a profit according to NZ officials. Ian Noble.Agree with the validity of all your points.
My remit is solely based on the experience in oz,with union going openly pro,and rl has thrived regardless.
I do note however that without the largesse of TV monies many codes througout this world,would be struggling.Union,and rl in Australia,who knows? NFL? Even the Crusaders lost $800,000 last year in the spiritual home of NZ ru,despite Tv monies.
The RFL may well have jumped the gun in expanding too early in places like Wales and London,but doing so has enabled youngsters whether at school or junior level in these pioneer areas,something to aspire to.Much easier to sell the game at grassroots with a team in situ.
Les Catalans is a no brainer ,a good move and laying the foundations for further expansions in France.I suggest once a more than competitive France has emerged from its current sleep,the game will go ahead in leaps and bounds.Why? Internationals,that is where the real biscuits are,as any ru man worth his salt knows.

As to where the rl in the UK will get the money.Well the 29m pounds the code secured in Sport England grants for the next 4 years is a good starter,as is the continued profitibality of the RFL.Plus despite the cynicism by some,the 4 nations was apparently on budget and returned a profit according to NZ officials.

]]> By: Springs http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260636 Springs Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:43:02 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260636 The FTA situation has become even worse, the Challenge Cup has been delisted from the FTA-required sports events. I am guessing when you were referring to the competitions like the World Cup and 4 Nations that the media overhyped England's chances, not the comps themselves. The World Cup was a major success especially in the face of the (Australian) media continually bagging it. Widnes I say will be admitted into SL when the licenses are reviewed, possibly at the expense of Salford, the heartland club with the worst crowds and performance. Leigh have recently been demoted to the third-tier, and Halifax are a chance but I doubt it. The FTA situation has become even worse, the Challenge Cup has been delisted from the FTA-required sports events.
I am guessing when you were referring to the competitions like the World Cup and 4 Nations that the media overhyped England’s chances, not the comps themselves. The World Cup was a major success especially in the face of the (Australian) media continually bagging it.

Widnes I say will be admitted into SL when the licenses are reviewed, possibly at the expense of Salford, the heartland club with the worst crowds and performance. Leigh have recently been demoted to the third-tier, and Halifax are a chance but I doubt it.

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260623 Ian Noble Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:45:22 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260623 CC It is too easy to forget the early days of professional RU in England and how unprepared the RFU were for the transistion. There was no competition at the time that would provide the opportunity to grow income to support the new professional environment. Major clubs in the amateur era who tried to become professional struggled and famous clubs such as Richmond, Bedford, Nottingham, London Scottish, Orrel, Ceventry, Wakefield, West Hartlepool et al who were probably considered to be top flight clubs either become insolvent or reverted to amateur status. It was a very difficult time and there was a big question mark over whether RU was capable of supporting a professional game. It wasn't the RFU who saved the professional game but a number of wealthy individuals who invested in clubs and decided to form the EPL, which is now the GP. They realised that to attract the punter they had to create a game where the imported foreign player would raise the profile of the game, but also would provide a stop gap as the majority of English players at the time could not afford to become professional players as the rewards and the precarious nature of the structure otherthan for the top few was pretty poor and it couldn't compare with "Main Street". The guys who put their money on the line brought to the game, quality investment in terms of market awareness and considerable entrepreneural skills. Not only have they raised the profile of the game, but have created an environment where TV wants more of the product and the brand. RL for many years particularly during the 1960/80's enjoyed a solus position with extensive coverage on FTA, every Saturday pm a major RL game was featured on BBC and drew large audiences. That was the time to grow the game throughout the UK. I know that RU facilities were not available, but if look at Quins RL as a example it was established 30 years ago but is systematic of the inability of RL to kick on. What is the answer for RL in the UK? There is no reason why RL as a code should not be succesful in Wales and London there are afterall enough rugby players for both codes to exist side by side. However the signs at the moment are that the expansion to other parts of the UK may fail and the game retrench to it's heartlands. I hope that is not the case but it is a possibility as clubs such as Widnes, Leigh, Halifax are gagging to get into SL. Based upon their present gates and business plans they would make a success of any promotion to the SL RL is playing catch up and needs more financial muscle to market the game and raise the profile and I can't see where it will come from otherthan from TV revenues. If TV revenues fall because RL is not seen as a national sport than it could create a major problem. CC

It is too easy to forget the early days of professional RU in England and how unprepared the RFU were for the transistion. There was no competition at the time that would provide the opportunity to grow income to support the new professional environment. Major clubs in the amateur era who tried to become professional struggled and famous clubs such as Richmond, Bedford, Nottingham, London Scottish, Orrel, Ceventry, Wakefield, West Hartlepool et al who were probably considered to be top flight clubs either become insolvent or reverted to amateur status. It was a very difficult time and there was a big question mark over whether RU was capable of supporting a professional game.

It wasn’t the RFU who saved the professional game but a number of wealthy individuals who invested in clubs and decided to form the EPL, which is now the GP. They realised that to attract the punter they had to create a game where the imported foreign player would raise the profile of the game, but also would provide a stop gap as the majority of English players at the time could not afford to become professional players as the rewards and the precarious nature of the structure otherthan for the top few was pretty poor and it couldn’t compare with “Main Street”.

The guys who put their money on the line brought to the game, quality investment in terms of market awareness and considerable entrepreneural skills. Not only have they raised the profile of the game, but have created an environment where TV wants more of the product and the brand.

RL for many years particularly during the 1960/80’s enjoyed a solus position with extensive coverage on FTA, every Saturday pm a major RL game was featured on BBC and drew large audiences. That was the time to grow the game throughout the UK. I know that RU facilities were not available, but if look at Quins RL as a example it was established 30 years ago but is systematic of the inability of RL to kick on.

What is the answer for RL in the UK? There is no reason why RL as a code should not be succesful in Wales and London there are afterall enough rugby players for both codes to exist side by side. However the signs at the moment are that the expansion to other parts of the UK may fail and the game retrench to it’s heartlands. I hope that is not the case but it is a possibility as clubs such as Widnes, Leigh, Halifax are gagging to get into SL. Based upon their present gates and business plans they would make a success of any promotion to the SL

RL is playing catch up and needs more financial muscle to market the game and raise the profile and I can’t see where it will come from otherthan from TV revenues. If TV revenues fall because RL is not seen as a national sport than it could create a major problem.

]]> By: oikee http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260611 oikee Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:38:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260611 So 95% goes to football, well we need to have at least 10% go to rugby league. Would help. Anyhow, if you can get 12 thousand aussies and kiwis to the ground, surely it would not be impossible to get 10 thousand poms. Any how, over the next 5 years rugby league should have more of a profile, ? If they watch the world cup which is their 2013, surely that can raise the profile abit. Hopefully one day they have 2-3 teams around London. anyhow, see what happens over the next few years. Its no big deal, they have not taken off yet, but who knows whats around the corner. I still think the name change was wrong. And the players profiles are not huge. Being a big city, it needs some big name players to kick start the team. You dont get much bigger than SBW. So 95% goes to football, well we need to have at least 10% go to rugby league. Would help. Anyhow, if you can get 12 thousand aussies and kiwis to the ground, surely it would not be impossible to get 10 thousand poms. Any how, over the next 5 years rugby league should have more of a profile, ? If they watch the world cup which is their 2013, surely that can raise the profile abit.

Hopefully one day they have 2-3 teams around London. anyhow, see what happens over the next few years. Its no big deal, they have not taken off yet, but who knows whats around the corner. I still think the name change was wrong. And the players profiles are not huge. Being a big city, it needs some big name players to kick start the team.

You dont get much bigger than SBW.

]]> By: Mr cheese http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260270 Mr cheese Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:49:10 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260270 Oikee, I like your optimism but it's probably more suited to Le Sud de La France than to the south of England. In England, RL has a specific culture i.e. certain northern working class towns. Most Londoners like to think that the world outside does not exist. Therein lies the problem. In part it is a cultural problem. Plus.....you must understand that 95% of sports media goes to football. I'm not proud of that but that's the way it is. You should have a look at the website of the Catalan Dragons. If you read French, have a look at what they're saying. There is some real enthusiasm down in Perpignan. Oikee,

I like your optimism but it’s probably more suited to Le Sud de La France than to the south of England.

In England, RL has a specific culture i.e. certain northern working class towns.

Most Londoners like to think that the world outside does not exist.

Therein lies the problem. In part it is a cultural problem.

Plus…..you must understand that 95% of sports media goes to football. I’m not proud of that but that’s the way it is.

You should have a look at the website of the Catalan Dragons. If you read French, have a look at what they’re saying. There is some real enthusiasm down in Perpignan.

]]> By: Mr cheese http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260266 Mr cheese Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:44:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260266 There is some truth in what you say, but I'm not convinced that the media overhype RL. It depends who you mean. Eddie and Stepho at Sky make it sound like a cross between paradise and the garden of Eden before the fall. They, at SKY, are obviously obliged to talk it up. But the other medie do not talk it up. It has a low profile, no ????? There is some truth in what you say, but I’m not convinced that the media overhype RL.

It depends who you mean. Eddie and Stepho at Sky make it sound like a cross between paradise and the garden of Eden before the fall.

They, at SKY, are obviously obliged to talk it up.

But the other medie do not talk it up. It has a low profile, no ?????

]]> By: Crosscoder http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-260085 Crosscoder Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:41:19 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-260085 Ian Noble Think you are being a tad harsh.the average joe would be aware when ru went "openly" pro,the flow of ru players to rl would either cease or be stemmed.So it is no surprise there. RU in the UK (the game's heartland) will always be far bigger than rl,again no surprise. That rl struglles professionally in Wales and London is no surprise due to the strength of footballl and ru.That being said, has not prevented an upsurge in grassroots growth in amateur clubs and schools in both areas.and that BTW is gardly hyping rl up. The RLWC 08 OK was a small event by ru standards,however still managed to rake in a profit of $5m plus(despite many ru peple and some within rl bagging the event),have people in countries like Fiji(used up satellite dishes) to watch the team play in a semi.The fact it was a success in 08 ,has ensured continuity by being played in England in 2013. According to a few ru officials in Australia,union going pro and the 03 WC would be the death knell of rl.It din't happen rl went forwards and ru backwards in this country.So much for ru going pro having the hiuge impact. Today I read that on 14th november the Sth African rugby league academy was opened at the Tech High school in Potchefstroom,North West Province.the academy team beat Ed-U-College,a private school from Welkom Free state.Having the clinic has ensure the SARL of a new senior provincial team from Nth West Province next season. Why do I bring in Sth Africa? for the very same reason as the UK>grassroots development means pro rl is a long term, thing. Anycase this thread is about the IC involved in Australia. It is the best thing to happen for the game,independence away from self interest. Consolidation and ensuring the current clubs are strong ,junior development is expanded and funded and country and lower tiers rl is backed up. There is no conflict of interest when negotitaing the next TV deal. Colin Love is only there fo a transtiionally 2 years(he knows the game at grassroots and intnlly),and Gallop apart from his past News Ltd ties at least will be answerable to the new commission.Gallop wil not be in a position to dictate terms and neither will News ltd. Ian Noble
Think you are being a tad harsh.the average joe would be aware when ru went “openly” pro,the flow of ru players to rl would either cease or be stemmed.So it is no surprise there.
RU in the UK (the game’s heartland) will always be far bigger than rl,again no surprise.
That rl struglles professionally in Wales and London is no surprise due to the strength of footballl and ru.That being said, has not prevented an upsurge in grassroots growth in amateur clubs and schools in both areas.and that BTW is gardly hyping rl up.
The RLWC 08 OK was a small event by ru standards,however still managed to rake in a profit of $5m plus(despite many ru peple and some within rl bagging the event),have people in countries like Fiji(used up satellite dishes) to watch the team play in a semi.The fact it was a success in 08 ,has ensured continuity by being played in England in 2013.
According to a few ru officials in Australia,union going pro and the 03 WC would be the death knell of rl.It din’t happen rl went forwards and ru backwards in this country.So much for ru going pro having the hiuge impact.

Today I read that on 14th november the Sth African rugby league academy was opened at the Tech High school in Potchefstroom,North West Province.the academy team beat Ed-U-College,a private school from Welkom Free state.Having the clinic has ensure the SARL of a new senior provincial team from Nth West Province next season.

Why do I bring in Sth Africa? for the very same reason as the UK>grassroots development means pro rl is a long term, thing.
Anycase this thread is about the IC involved in Australia.

It is the best thing to happen for the game,independence away from self interest.
Consolidation and ensuring the current clubs are strong ,junior development is expanded and funded and country and lower tiers rl is backed up.
There is no conflict of interest when negotitaing the next TV deal.
Colin Love is only there fo a transtiionally 2 years(he knows the game at grassroots and intnlly),and Gallop apart from his past News Ltd ties at least will be answerable to the new commission.Gallop wil not be in a position to dictate terms and neither will News ltd.

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259973 Ian Noble Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:23:51 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259973 Oikee There are restrictions on the number of overseas players in any matchday squad and therefore all clubs have reduced their overseas contingent. At the moment Quins RL have Dorn. Howell, Randall, Temata and Williamson within their full squad. As you probably know there is a salary cap and it makes it difficult to sign the top player when you need to build a squad. The majority of the other members of the squad are young players from other RL clubs who have taken the gamble to move to London. One encouraging sign is that the number of London players is increasing and if I recall 5/6 of the squad are London born. Every year they make a big play to encourage RU sths to buy a RL sth with special offers etc and one of the reasons it has not taken off is that Quins RL is not very succesful and people like to watch a winning team and frankly towards the end of last season they were pitiful and dropped like a stone from 3rd in SL to 3rd bottom. Many RU fans are open minded in the UK and will watch RL, but the product has to improve. Quins RL has been in existence for 30 years and for many years it was known as London Broncos but that failed to light the touch paper partly because they did not a permanent home, they shared both Fulham and Brentford's football grounds at various times. The opportunity to sign a long term contract at the Stoop was an opportunity not to be missed with the sharing of ticketing and some marketing facilities. The Stoop as a rugby stadium is probably one of the best in the UK and the CEO of Quins sits on the board of Quins RL presumably to help with his expertise to grow the brand. The solution is not immediately apparent but if Quins RL could make a better fist of their performances than gates would increase. Certainly that has been the case with Quins where gates have grown out of all expectation and the opening of the new stand is needed to cope with the demand for tickets particularly for the Heiniken Cup games and the GP playoffs. Incidently for Quins it makes sense to have a RL link because the SL season dovetails neatly with the GP season and the Stoop is used all year round as a rugby stadium. Oikee

There are restrictions on the number of overseas players in any matchday squad and therefore all clubs have reduced their overseas contingent. At the moment Quins RL have Dorn. Howell, Randall, Temata and Williamson within their full squad. As you probably know there is a salary cap and it makes it difficult to sign the top player when you need to build a squad. The majority of the other members of the squad are young players from other RL clubs who have taken the gamble to move to London. One encouraging sign is that the number of London players is increasing and if I recall 5/6 of the squad are London born.

Every year they make a big play to encourage RU sths to buy a RL sth with special offers etc and one of the reasons it has not taken off is that Quins RL is not very succesful and people like to watch a winning team and frankly towards the end of last season they were pitiful and dropped like a stone from 3rd in SL to 3rd bottom. Many RU fans are open minded in the UK and will watch RL, but the product has to improve.

Quins RL has been in existence for 30 years and for many years it was known as London Broncos but that failed to light the touch paper partly because they did not a permanent home, they shared both Fulham and Brentford’s football grounds at various times. The opportunity to sign a long term contract at the Stoop was an opportunity not to be missed with the sharing of ticketing and some marketing facilities. The Stoop as a rugby stadium is probably one of the best in the UK and the CEO of Quins sits on the board of Quins RL presumably to help with his expertise to grow the brand.

The solution is not immediately apparent but if Quins RL could make a better fist of their performances than gates would increase. Certainly that has been the case with Quins where gates have grown out of all expectation and the opening of the new stand is needed to cope with the demand for tickets particularly for the Heiniken Cup games and the GP playoffs.
Incidently for Quins it makes sense to have a RL link because the SL season dovetails neatly with the GP season and the Stoop is used all year round as a rugby stadium.

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259963 Ian Noble Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:57:37 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259963 Paul J I am a sports fanatic. I captained my college football first X1, played RU at school in Lancashire, watched RL but did not play expect for the odd game. Currently an STH (season ticket holder) for Quins and Quins RL and although I watch football and any sporting contest, I really enjoy watching rugby. I am not predicting the demise of RL but I think they have been taken by surprise through the growth of professional RU in the UK. Indeed so have I, although there still is a big body of people who still feel that turning professional was the worse thing to happen to the code The problem for RL is that in terms of marketing and brand awareness it has slipped behind professional RU in the UK rather more quickly than I suspect was ever considered possible. Ok you can blame it on the media, but at the end of the day media responds when there are good stories and the fundamental problem with RL in the UK it continually overhypes competitions and frankly fails to deliver. The RLWC2008 and the just finished 4 nations are two cases in point. There is also the question of personalities in the game, RL doesn't have the Beckhams, Wilkinsons et al of this world who can spread the word across the sporting fraternity in the UK. Frankly they don't appear on TV or radio enough to be nationally known and that is probably more to do with the marketability of the top English RL players. Paul J

I am a sports fanatic. I captained my college football first X1, played RU at school in Lancashire, watched RL but did not play expect for the odd game.

Currently an STH (season ticket holder) for Quins and Quins RL and although I watch football and any sporting contest, I really enjoy watching rugby.

I am not predicting the demise of RL but I think they have been taken by surprise through the growth of professional RU in the UK. Indeed so have I, although there still is a big body of people who still feel that turning professional was the worse thing to happen to the code The problem for RL is that in terms of marketing and brand awareness it has slipped behind professional RU in the UK rather more quickly than I suspect was ever considered possible. Ok you can blame it on the media, but at the end of the day media responds when there are good stories and the fundamental problem with RL in the UK it continually overhypes competitions and frankly fails to deliver. The RLWC2008 and the just finished 4 nations are two cases in point.

There is also the question of personalities in the game, RL doesn’t have the Beckhams, Wilkinsons et al of this world who can spread the word across the sporting fraternity in the UK. Frankly they don’t appear on TV or radio enough to be nationally known and that is probably more to do with the marketability of the top English RL players.

]]> By: oikee http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259635 oikee Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:10:13 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259635 There is acouple of things wrong with the Quins, 1st their name, why borrow a rugby union teams name, and 2nd, the club wants to promote English players, so does not buy imports. ? What are these 2 issues going to solve. 1st, change to a better name, more identifiable, London Force? London power? and second, get someone to do the recruiting, and buy some big names,. SBW would be the 1st guy i went after, and also a good half-back, Thurston, and a decetn centre or 2. For London to work, the game needs publicity, the guys running the show have no idea, Honest. There is acouple of things wrong with the Quins, 1st their name, why borrow a rugby union teams name, and 2nd, the club wants to promote English players, so does not buy imports. ? What are these 2 issues going to solve. 1st, change to a better name, more identifiable, London Force? London power? and second, get someone to do the recruiting, and buy some big names,.
SBW would be the 1st guy i went after, and also a good half-back, Thurston, and a decetn centre or 2. For London to work, the game needs publicity, the guys running the show have no idea, Honest.

]]> By: Paul J http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259417 Paul J Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:54:47 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259417 Ian RL is behind RU and soccer in England. I don't see that changing. To predict the demise of RL in Eng does seem highly unlikely. Out of interest are you a rugby or soccer fan, or both? Ian

RL is behind RU and soccer in England. I don’t see that changing.

To predict the demise of RL in Eng does seem highly unlikely.

Out of interest are you a rugby or soccer fan, or both?

]]> By: katzilla http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259226 katzilla Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:48:30 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259226 They need to get Morello from the apprentice to negotiate the next TV deal. That guy could sell snow to the eskimos. They need to get Morello from the apprentice to negotiate the next TV deal.
That guy could sell snow to the eskimos.

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-259222 Ian Noble Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:26:07 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-259222 Matt Both codes have replays on BBC, but no figures as audiences must be pretty small. I thought you might be interested to see viewing figures for week ending 22 Nov, includes a Friday night RU game on Sky 1 which compares very favourably with RL games during the summer on Friday evenings. It also includes the first ever audience for a women's rugby international, which was highly entertaining with good flowing rugby between Eng and NZ. Obvious comments from my mates who were watching but we were pleasantly surprised by the game and is an interesting precursor to the WRWC 2010 which will be in England with the final at the Stoop. The RU game on Sky 1 was Cardiff v Wallabies. Sky Sports 1 w/e 22 Nov 2009 000's 1 LIVE FORD FOOTBALL SPECIAL-MATCH (Sat 12:00) 1,040 2 WCQ:FRANCE V REPOF IRELAND-LIVE (Wed 19:30) 948 3 FORD SUPER SUNDAY (Sun 15:36) 726 4 FORD SUPER SUNDAY (Sun 13:00) 572 5 GILLETTE SOCCER SATURDAY (Sat 15:15) 527 6 IPSWICH V SHEFFIELD WEDS-LIVE (Sat 17:15) 300 7 SOCCER AM (Sat 09:00) 251 8 RUGBY UNION (Tue 19:30) 185 9 GOALS ON SUNDAY (Sun 11:00) 163 10 JIMMY HILL'S SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT (Sun 09:30) 94 Sky Sports 2 w/e 22 Nov 2009 000's 1 LIVE ENG V NZ RUGBY UNION (Sat 14:00) 558 2 LIVE SA V ENG ODI CRICKET (Sun 07:30) 319 3 LIVE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY UNION (Fri 19:30) 117 4 LIVE WOMENS ENG V NZ RUGBY (Sat 16:35) 98 5 LIVE EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sat 08:00) 82 6 FORD FOOTBALL SPECIAL (Sun 22:04) 76 7 ATHLETIC BILBAO V BARCELONA-LIVE (Sat 20:58) 55 8 REAL MADRID V RACING-LIVE (Sat 18:55) 52 9 LIVE EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Fri 12:00) 52 10 NIRELAND V CZECH REP U21S-LIVE (Tue 19:30) 52 In addition the audience for Wales v ABs was 1.94M on BBC 2 20 HORIZON (TUE 2101) 2.11 21 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (WED 1712) 2.08 22 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (THU 1711) 2.06 23 AUTUMNWATCH (FRI 2030) 2.02 24 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (MON 1715) 1.99 25 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (TUE 1714) 1.97 26 AN ISLAND PARISH (MON 1931) 1.96 27 MASTERMIND (FRI 2001) 1.94 28 RUGBY UNION (SAT 1700) 1.94 29 MIRANDA (SUN 2202) 1.93 30 JAMES MAY'S TOY STORIES (SUN 1858) 1.9 On more serious matters I thought you might be interested in this article about Quins RL which is concerning following on from the financial problems of the Crusaders in Wales. [www.skysports.com] http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/12/01/RUGBYL_Harlequins_Lewis.html There have been a number of comments on a thread to day but I think the following are probably more relevant. "Perhaps the Rugby League may finally realise that professional RL in London will never be a total success. OK it's played a lot at amateur level but that doesn't reflect in the Quins RL attendances. Coming from Hull and growing up with RL it always annoyed me how the then London Broncos were placed in Super League without actually winning the right to play at the top level on the pitch. I appreciate a lot of that was Sky's influence but Fulham/London Crusaders/London Broncos and now Quins RL have always struggled for crowds and recognition. Mind you if you thought the RFU were bad, thy're like a well oiled machine in comparison with the clowns at the RFL." Quins RL has just celebrated it's 30th anniversary. "This is strange because there must be a huge number of potential Harlequins RL fans in the Greater London area - not least northerners & Aussies now transplanted here, temporarily or otherwise, plus those locals playing amateur RL. Surely a marketing task force from the RFL and/or Harlequins RL could conduct a research survey to find out what would attract more Londoners? " "When they first came to the Stoop they had crowds of around 8K. But they couldn't hold on to them and it gradually slipped back to around the 4K it is now. So there's enough interest out there, they just need to tap into it somehow" "When the club finish one place above Crusaders or bottom should they be kicked out of the comp and crowds reach sub 2000 then the RFL will simply say Super League in London has not worked and rightly so. I hope you lot will be proud of how you clapped the trash off the pitch no matter the score and refused to stand up and demand a total change in management and players." RL has lost it's way outside it's heartlands and really needs to get it act together in the UK otherwise it will lose some of it's TV revenues as it will not be considered a nation/international sport. Matt

Both codes have replays on BBC, but no figures as audiences must be pretty small. I thought you might be interested to see viewing figures for week ending 22 Nov, includes a Friday night RU game on Sky 1 which compares very favourably with RL games during the summer on Friday evenings. It also includes the first ever audience for a women’s rugby international, which was highly entertaining with good flowing rugby between Eng and NZ. Obvious comments from my mates who were watching but we were pleasantly surprised by the game and is an interesting precursor to the WRWC 2010 which will be in England with the final at the Stoop.

The RU game on Sky 1 was Cardiff v Wallabies.

Sky Sports 1
w/e 22 Nov 2009
000’s
1 LIVE FORD FOOTBALL SPECIAL-MATCH (Sat 12:00) 1,040
2 WCQ:FRANCE V REPOF IRELAND-LIVE (Wed 19:30) 948
3 FORD SUPER SUNDAY (Sun 15:36) 726
4 FORD SUPER SUNDAY (Sun 13:00) 572
5 GILLETTE SOCCER SATURDAY (Sat 15:15) 527
6 IPSWICH V SHEFFIELD WEDS-LIVE (Sat 17:15) 300
7 SOCCER AM (Sat 09:00) 251
8 RUGBY UNION (Tue 19:30) 185
9 GOALS ON SUNDAY (Sun 11:00) 163
10 JIMMY HILL’S SUNDAY SUPPLEMENT (Sun 09:30) 94
Sky Sports 2
w/e 22 Nov 2009
000’s
1 LIVE ENG V NZ RUGBY UNION (Sat 14:00) 558
2 LIVE SA V ENG ODI CRICKET (Sun 07:30) 319
3 LIVE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY UNION (Fri 19:30) 117
4 LIVE WOMENS ENG V NZ RUGBY (Sat 16:35) 98
5 LIVE EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sat 08:00) 82
6 FORD FOOTBALL SPECIAL (Sun 22:04) 76
7 ATHLETIC BILBAO V BARCELONA-LIVE (Sat 20:58) 55
8 REAL MADRID V RACING-LIVE (Sat 18:55) 52
9 LIVE EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Fri 12:00) 52
10 NIRELAND V CZECH REP U21S-LIVE (Tue 19:30) 52

In addition the audience for Wales v ABs was 1.94M on BBC 2

20 HORIZON (TUE 2101) 2.11
21 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (WED 1712) 2.08
22 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (THU 1711) 2.06
23 AUTUMNWATCH (FRI 2030) 2.02
24 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (MON 1715) 1.99
25 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY (TUE 1714) 1.97
26 AN ISLAND PARISH (MON 1931) 1.96
27 MASTERMIND (FRI 2001) 1.94
28 RUGBY UNION (SAT 1700) 1.94
29 MIRANDA (SUN 2202) 1.93
30 JAMES MAY’S TOY STORIES (SUN 1858) 1.9

On more serious matters I thought you might be interested in this article about Quins RL which is concerning following on from the financial problems of the Crusaders in Wales.

[www.skysports.com]

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/12/01/RUGBYL_Harlequins_Lewis.html

There have been a number of comments on a thread to day but I think the following are probably more relevant.

“Perhaps the Rugby League may finally realise that professional RL in London will never be a total success. OK it’s played a lot at amateur level but that doesn’t reflect in the Quins RL attendances.
Coming from Hull and growing up with RL it always annoyed me how the then London Broncos were placed in Super League without actually winning the right to play at the top level on the pitch. I appreciate a lot of that was Sky’s influence but Fulham/London Crusaders/London Broncos and now Quins RL have always struggled for crowds and recognition.
Mind you if you thought the RFU were bad, thy’re like a well oiled machine in comparison with the clowns at the RFL.”

Quins RL has just celebrated it’s 30th anniversary.

“This is strange because there must be a huge number of potential Harlequins RL fans in the Greater London area – not least northerners & Aussies now transplanted here, temporarily or otherwise, plus those locals playing amateur RL.

Surely a marketing task force from the RFL and/or Harlequins RL could conduct a research survey to find out what would attract more Londoners? ”

“When they first came to the Stoop they had crowds of around 8K. But they couldn’t hold on to them and it gradually slipped back to around the 4K it is now.

So there’s enough interest out there, they just need to tap into it somehow”

“When the club finish one place above Crusaders or bottom should they be kicked out of the comp and crowds reach sub 2000 then the RFL will simply say Super League in London has not worked and rightly so. I hope you lot will be proud of how you clapped the trash off the pitch no matter the score and refused to stand up and demand a total change in management and players.”

RL has lost it’s way outside it’s heartlands and really needs to get it act together in the UK otherwise it will lose some of it’s TV revenues as it will not be considered a nation/international sport.

]]> By: Matt S http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258614 Matt S Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:22:21 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258614 Ian, you forget about replay figures on BBC. Ian, you forget about replay figures on BBC.

]]> By: Paul J http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258544 Paul J Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:35:30 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258544 The Storm needs 2 things to change if they are to get some decent growth in Melbourne. First is a brand new stadium, not the 1956 Olympic training track they have been in. This will happen next year. Second, and more importantly, they need the NRL to force the networks to show Storm games into Melbourne on FTA at decent hours. This won't happen, if at all, for at least another 3 years. In round 2 this year channel 9 showed a Storm v Broncos game FTA prime time in Melbourne (not up against an AFL game) and they got 203K viewers. The rest of the season any Storm games shown in Melbourne were outside of prime time (11.30pm, midnight) and the average was about 30K. I remember when the Bears/Lions were a joke in Brisbane. They moved to an upgraded Gabba from Cararra and that helped. When the AFL forced the networks to show Lions games FTA on prime time (Saturday night 7.30pm) then the Lions started to get somewhere in Brisbane, now they have avg Brisbane audiences of about 90K. (Broncos about 320K). The storm are still at least 3 years away from even getting the same chance as the Swans in Sydney or Lions in Brisbane. We’ll have to see where they stand in 10 years and access it from there. Also after the next TV deal the NRL will be more cashed up and can increase marketing and junior development in Melbourne. The Storm needs 2 things to change if they are to get some decent growth in Melbourne.

First is a brand new stadium, not the 1956 Olympic training track they have been in. This will happen next year.

Second, and more importantly, they need the NRL to force the networks to show Storm games into Melbourne on FTA at decent hours. This won’t happen, if at all, for at least another 3 years.

In round 2 this year channel 9 showed a Storm v Broncos game FTA prime time in Melbourne (not up against an AFL game) and they got 203K viewers.

The rest of the season any Storm games shown in Melbourne were outside of prime time (11.30pm, midnight) and the average was about 30K.

I remember when the Bears/Lions were a joke in Brisbane. They moved to an upgraded Gabba from Cararra and that helped. When the AFL forced the networks to show Lions games FTA on prime time (Saturday night 7.30pm) then the Lions started to get somewhere in Brisbane, now they have avg Brisbane audiences of about 90K. (Broncos about 320K).

The storm are still at least 3 years away from even getting the same chance as the Swans in Sydney or Lions in Brisbane. We’ll have to see where they stand in 10 years and access it from there.

Also after the next TV deal the NRL will be more cashed up and can increase marketing and junior development in Melbourne.

]]> By: jus de couchon http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258460 jus de couchon Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:02:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258460 From a purely economic perspective would you continue to invest resources into The Storm in the hope things will get better? If this is a business plan I would love to be at your Presentation . From a purely economic perspective would you continue to invest resources into The Storm in the hope things will get better? If this is a business plan I would love to be at your Presentation .

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258428 Ian Noble Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:45:22 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258428 Oikee These figures are UK figures, I presume your figure was for an OZ audience. Oikee

These figures are UK figures, I presume your figure was for an OZ audience.

]]> By: Ian Noble http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258402 Ian Noble Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:52:21 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258402 Oikee Sorry your figures are not correct here are the viewing figures for the particular week, courtesy fo Bard Sky Sports 1 w/e 15 Nov 2009 000's 1 LIVE INTERNATIONAL PRO20 CRICKET (Sun 12:00) 492 2 REP OF IRELAND V FRANCE-LIVE (Sat 19:30) 419 3 WALES V SCOTLAND - LIVE (Sat 14:33) 388 4 SOUTHAMPTON V BRIGHTON-LIVE (Sun 16:15) 378 5 LIVE INTERNATIONAL PRO20 CRICKET (Fri 15:30) 360 6 LEEDS UTD V GRIMSBY TOWN-LIVE (Tue 19:30) 300 7 HUDDERSFIELD V WYCOMBE-LIVE (Sat 12:00) 287 8 SOCCER AM (Sat 09:00) 261 9 SOUTHAMPTON V CHARLTON-LIVE (Wed 19:30) 227 10 LIVE FOOTBALL LEAGUE (Mon 19:30) 221 Sky Sports 2 w/e 15 Nov 2009 000's 1 LIVE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION (Sat 14:00) 528 2 LIVE FOUR NATIONS RUGBY LEAGUE (Sat 19:00) 301 3 HAYE V VALUEV-THE FINAL JUDGEMENT (Sat 17:00) 140 4 LIVE ANGLO WELSH RUGBY UNION (Sun 13:30) 73 5 EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sun 09:00) 72 6 NFL LIVE (Sun 17:31) 59 7 LIVE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION (Sat 22:00) 49 8 EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sat 09:00) 48 9 LIVE TENNIS (Wed 10:00) 46 10 LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE SNOOKER (Thu 19:30) 44 Largest audience was for Eng v Argentina (RU) , final of 4 nations was 5/6th. Oikee

Sorry your figures are not correct here are the viewing figures for the particular week, courtesy fo Bard

Sky Sports 1
w/e 15 Nov 2009
000’s
1 LIVE INTERNATIONAL PRO20 CRICKET (Sun 12:00) 492
2 REP OF IRELAND V FRANCE-LIVE (Sat 19:30) 419
3 WALES V SCOTLAND – LIVE (Sat 14:33) 388
4 SOUTHAMPTON V BRIGHTON-LIVE (Sun 16:15) 378
5 LIVE INTERNATIONAL PRO20 CRICKET (Fri 15:30) 360
6 LEEDS UTD V GRIMSBY TOWN-LIVE (Tue 19:30) 300
7 HUDDERSFIELD V WYCOMBE-LIVE (Sat 12:00) 287
8 SOCCER AM (Sat 09:00) 261
9 SOUTHAMPTON V CHARLTON-LIVE (Wed 19:30) 227
10 LIVE FOOTBALL LEAGUE (Mon 19:30) 221
Sky Sports 2
w/e 15 Nov 2009
000’s
1 LIVE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION (Sat 14:00) 528
2 LIVE FOUR NATIONS RUGBY LEAGUE (Sat 19:00) 301
3 HAYE V VALUEV-THE FINAL JUDGEMENT (Sat 17:00) 140
4 LIVE ANGLO WELSH RUGBY UNION (Sun 13:30) 73
5 EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sun 09:00) 72
6 NFL LIVE (Sun 17:31) 59
7 LIVE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION (Sat 22:00) 49
8 EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF (Sat 09:00) 48
9 LIVE TENNIS (Wed 10:00) 46
10 LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE SNOOKER (Thu 19:30) 44

Largest audience was for Eng v Argentina (RU) , final of 4 nations was 5/6th.

]]> By: Tom Alexander. http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258378 Tom Alexander. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:59:26 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258378 I wouldn't trust anything that comes out of Gallops mouth if you go on his past statements and actions (underselling the game etc) . Imagine how much more ground will be lost, if Rugby League were to once again, hold back expansion until 2017. It makes you really wonder who's side this clown is on. I think it's safe to say there is a war going on for the sporting dollars in this country, and if Rugby League doesn't get a move on, we will be again left to eat dust by the other 3 fast moving expansionist codes. A lot of Rugby League stalwarts thought the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Bears were doomed to failure back in the eighties. 20 years on (whether we like it or not) they are part of the sporting landscape in both NSW and QLD. Expansion wise, Rugby League needs to Strike while the iron is hot, before the fans and potential investors get sick of all the stalling and the endless excuses and decide to invest elsewhere. I wouldn’t trust anything that comes out of Gallops mouth if you go on his past statements and actions (underselling the game etc) . Imagine how much more ground will be lost, if Rugby League were to once again, hold back expansion until 2017. It makes you really wonder who’s side this clown is on. I think it’s safe to say there is a war going on for the sporting dollars in this country, and if Rugby League doesn’t get a move on, we will be again left to eat dust by the other 3 fast moving expansionist codes. A lot of Rugby League stalwarts thought the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Bears were doomed to failure back in the eighties. 20 years on (whether we like it or not) they are part of the sporting landscape in both NSW and QLD. Expansion wise, Rugby League needs to Strike while the iron is hot, before the fans and potential investors get sick of all the stalling and the endless excuses and decide to invest elsewhere.

]]> By: Springs http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258334 Springs Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:01:03 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258334 To you Kingit seems the Four Nations gets worse with every day that passes. If the opposition was average then Australia was very average, as they could not beat NZ, who were 'average opposition'. By next year you'll say the 4 Nations lost 5 Million To you Kingit seems the Four Nations gets worse with every day that passes. If the opposition was average then Australia was very average, as they could not beat NZ, who were ‘average opposition’. By next year you’ll say the 4 Nations lost 5 Million

]]> By: oikee http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258324 oikee Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:48:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258324 Poor ratings, ? the game was on at 4-5 in the morning here in OZ, any ratings were a winner, In England the final attracted 931 thousand veiwers, not bad. Poor ratings, ? the game was on at 4-5 in the morning here in OZ, any ratings were a winner, In England the final attracted 931 thousand veiwers, not bad.

]]> By: oikee http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258305 oikee Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:12:54 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258305 I think what Gallop is saying, we need to build up the war-chest, and only expand if its government funded or has fantastic backing by big companies, . He is laying down the Gauntlet, and see how many fish he can pull into the net. Dont be surprised come 2013 we see 4 teams come into the comp, dont be surprised if we see none. Just be happy. :) I think what Gallop is saying, we need to build up the war-chest, and only expand if its government funded or has fantastic backing by big companies, . He is laying down the Gauntlet, and see how many fish he can pull into the net. Dont be surprised come 2013 we see 4 teams come into the comp, dont be surprised if we see none. Just be happy. :)

]]> By: oikee http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258301 oikee Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:06:42 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258301 Pip, i am going to rock your world sonny, your patting yourself on the back, check out this International rugby Union video, your game is way down the list sucker. The world already plays rugby union. Check it out, the little video my good fellow, it blew me away. These suckers are extreme athletes, not just one sudanese player. Hhahaha. Have a look. Click the little video. http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/index.html Pip, i am going to rock your world sonny, your patting yourself on the back, check out this International rugby Union video, your game is way down the list sucker. The world already plays rugby union.
Check it out, the little video my good fellow, it blew me away. These suckers are extreme athletes, not just one sudanese player. Hhahaha. Have a look. Click the little video.

http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/index.html

]]> By: prowling panther http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258287 prowling panther Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:40:19 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258287 Re- expansion. Not sure what happening for teams to enter for 2013. Some media outlets say two teams are guaranteed whilst others say theyll be no expansion till 2017. Anyways, There is a golden age for league on the horizon. WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Re- expansion. Not sure what happening for teams to enter for 2013. Some media outlets say two teams are guaranteed whilst others say theyll be no expansion till 2017. Anyways, There is a golden age for league on the horizon. WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

]]> By: Michael C http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258254 Michael C Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:09:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258254 blessed are the footblalers...... btw - was that Australian Football? or Australian football? blessed are the footblalers……

btw –

was that Australian Football?

or

Australian football?

]]> By: Pippinu http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258249 Pippinu Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:01:29 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258249 Cracker I'm glad you asked. If you go to this ABS site: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4156.0.55.001Feature%20Article1May%202009?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4156.0.55.001&issue=May%202009&num=&view= A whole lot of stats are provided about all four football codes which make for interesting reading. Scroll a few pages down and you get to an section called attendances by country of birth, and you will see that Australian Football attracts more overseas born Australians than any other footblal code. Cracker
I’m glad you asked.

If you go to this ABS site:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4156.0.55.001Feature%20Article1May%202009?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4156.0.55.001&issue=May%202009&num=&view=

A whole lot of stats are provided about all four football codes which make for interesting reading.

Scroll a few pages down and you get to an section called attendances by country of birth, and you will see that Australian Football attracts more overseas born Australians than any other footblal code.

]]> By: Cracker http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258243 Cracker Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:52:08 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258243 I would guess that would be soccer Pip. Correct? I would guess that would be soccer Pip. Correct?

]]> By: Cracker http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258242 Cracker Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:50:49 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258242 Corey it depends who you talk to as to what is the better product but I'd agree that the Melbourne union and league teams could work off each other as opposed to battling with each other. They'll be playing at the same ground and will likely have supporters which follow both clubs. If they take on something of a united front they could both benefit - it could be similar to Maccas being next door to KFC and both doing good business. Corey it depends who you talk to as to what is the better product but I’d agree that the Melbourne union and league teams could work off each other as opposed to battling with each other. They’ll be playing at the same ground and will likely have supporters which follow both clubs. If they take on something of a united front they could both benefit – it could be similar to Maccas being next door to KFC and both doing good business.

]]> By: Pippinu http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/01/independence-day-for-rugby-league/#comment-258240 Pippinu Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:47:12 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=25866#comment-258240 Do you know which of the four codes actually attracts the largest percentage of overseas born to its game? (both English speaking and non-English speaking) Do you know which of the four codes actually attracts the largest percentage of overseas born to its game? (both English speaking and non-English speaking)

]]>