NRL clubs need to help the international game
Roar Guru
By M1tch, 30 Dec 2009 M1tch is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Australia, Four Nations, New Zealand, NRL, Rugby League
It’s fair to say the gap in international rugby league is too far apart. The Australian national team have had the edge over England/Great Britain, France and New Zealand since the mid 60s.
It’s no surprise that since the Warriors have started in the NRL, that the New Zealand national team is winning matches more consistently, and, of course, won the World Cup in 2008.
Meanwhile, England has stayed still and France has gone backwards.
Therefore, we – the Australian and New Zealand rugby league communities – need to help the lesser nations with their junior development for the benefit of the international game.
Each NRL club should sign up to two overseas players from nations such as France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Serbia and the United States.
Have them train with the top grade or under 20s teams, watch how we play the game, our tactics, our thoughts, etc.
Give them the full experience for a year or two so they can then go back home and share the experience with their fellow players.
It’s not a process that will cure the ‘gap’ overnight, but it’s something to help these nations become better rugby league nations.
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- Explore:
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jus de couchon said | December 30th 2009 @ 12:19am | Report comment
Makes more sense than inventing teams in International competitions . Unfortunately League is run by Idiots so any long term stategy is unlikely.
adrien2166 said | December 30th 2009 @ 3:30am | Report comment
i’m playing rugby league in junior grade in france and your article just make me dream lol !
Mick from Giralang said | December 30th 2009 @ 6:07am | Report comment
Good idea M1TCH…might also uncover some talented o/s players for the NRL.
Dogs Of War said | December 30th 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
I always thought that the NRL should offer PNG players free under the salary cap (one per club?), well at least for their first 3-4 years. This would help build them into a force, as those that don’t make it after that, go back to PNG and can teach the next generation how to play, and how to condition themselves properly. I am sure that extended to other players under 23 from all countries would really help the international game.
Mick from Giralang said | December 30th 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
PNG is pushing hard to be re-admitted to the QLD Cup…seems like a good move if they can get the corporate backing. With all those big mines up there, shouldn’t be too hard to find the cash.
LT80 said | December 30th 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Unfortunately PNG application to join the Q Cup next year was denied. The statement from the QRL was that they should re-apply again for 2011.
Mick from Giralang said | December 30th 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment
I hope they make it for 2011. On the face of it, it seems like a great way of supporting the game in PNG, and providing more pathways for their exciting players into the NRL.
Mushi said | December 30th 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Big problem is always going to be security (both financial and physical) for a full season in PNG.
Siva Samoa said | December 30th 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
How can they sign youths from other nations when there’s only enough teams in Australasia for the thousands of Australian and Kiwi rugby league kids ?
Rodney McDonell said | December 30th 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Some clubs do this. Roosters have 1 south african. Wests have toyed with a Russian.
To be serious, clubs arn’t going to do this unless they are given some sort of funding from the RLIF – unfortnately, the RLIF hasn’t got that much money and the money that was raised through the last world cup has gone into boosting what was a very lacking-in-structure international program. Now we have regular test or internationals at least for the entire Pacific Region and European Region and some of those are getting games against the big guns such as France and PNG – this is a long way from were we were 3 years ago.
What people were begging for in years gone by is now the norm. Don’t try to push to many reforms all at once, because it can impload. Let the dust settle from the most recent changes and move forward at a cautious rate.
M1tch said | December 30th 2009 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
No doubt, it needs to be the NRL and RLIF for all clubs, but it would be good to see clubs take the step to do this first. I’m disappointed ESL clubs dont sign more french juniors.
Timmypig said | December 30th 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
I’ll play devil’s advocate …. is there a need to help the international game? If we’re interested in greater competition at national level, we’re still only ever going to be talking about Aus, NZ, Britain, France & PNG. Of those PNG and France are the weakest and would be obvious targets for assistance (for want of a better term).
Do we need international expansion? In a year that has seen some stupendously great footy in the NRL is there any need to worry about diverting resources into bottomless pits with little or no return?
I don’t know – I’m just asking ….
Dogs Of War said | December 30th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
I think you hit the nail on the head, focus on France and PNG would give the International game 5 decent teams, and some competition for that top spot. This is really all the game needs at this point, focusing there could make the international game more valuable for the code on TV, and with supporters.
M1tch said | December 30th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Really good points, at this moment for me, we’ve got those nations playing the game and their comps are going. But id say if given choice clubs might choose PNG and French players first.
hutch said | December 30th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
i agree, each nrl club should be allowed 2 overseas signings salary cap free. this would benefit international rugby league immensely. i have big hopes for png, france, wales and fiji. fiji are about to start sending their best juniors to matraville sports high in sydney which will lead to more fijian players in the toyota cup and the nrl, leading to a more competitive fiji bati. exciting times ahead for international rugby league, looking forward to the 2013 world cup!