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What does the future hold for international rugby league?

28th November, 2014
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Sam Tomkins in action at the Auckland Nines. There are calls to expand the tournament, and hold it in the UK. (Photo: www.photosport.co.nz)
Roar Guru
28th November, 2014
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Some observers have said that without numerous leagues around the world on par with the NRL and the Super League, international rugby league has no real future.

They point to the fact that the vast majority of the quality players who represent nations other than Australia or England all learned, and ply their trades in, those two competitions.

For some, this melting pot of performance is seen as an obstacle to the game’s international growth. Others have the opposite view.

The flow on successes and international attention as generated by last year’s World Cup, and this year’s Four Nations tournament, are proven evidence that the contrary belief is prevailing.

Whether one wishes to admit it or not, international rugby league seems to be heading in a positive direction. Just how to ensure it stays this way, remains the big question.

Here are some short term and long term ideas, and possible predictions, worth consideration in moving the international game to higher levels.

  • The Super League in the UK to become the de facto training ground for European nations, with teams representing nations such as Wales, Scotland and Italy to be added to the current English and French teams already competing.
  • Similar to what happens with Russia, club teams from nations such as Serbia, Italy and the Ukraine to be invited to compete in the Challenge Cup.
  • A better broadcasting deal to be negotiated by the Super League in order to maximise revenue. Super League salary caps must become comparable with rugby union in the UK and the NRL in Australia.
  • A World Club Series featuring semi-professional and amateur champions playing each other as preludes to the professional Super League v NRL match.
  • Super League teams competing in the Nines Tournament with the staging of that tournament alternating between the UK and New Zealand.
  • A Challenge Cup geared towards amateur and semi-professional Australian and Pacific Island clubs with matches to be played as part of weekend NRL match days.
  • The Pacific Cup featuring Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga as part of a ‘Big Three’ and/or State of Origin double headers.

The main emphasis with these ideas is that they tap into what already exists in the rugby league world.

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Double headers seem to be a highly under-utilised promotional method. Preludes to Test matches, State of Origin and blockbuster NRL and Super League games could certainly handle second tier Tests and amateur club matches.

Some of these ideas have immediate merit while some definitely require longer term planning. It would be harsh, however, to say that any of them are impossible.

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